Viola

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Felicia Viola
Brandi Bradley
ENC Paper 2 Draft 1
February 9, 2016
Veganism: Beneficial or Detrimental?
There are many different cultures all around the world. Each culture has a certain
diet and lifestyle they hold dear to them. It ranges from Italians loving their pasta to
Argentines loving meat. Each country was raised eating a different way, which affects
their health. People all around the world are changing the way they eat and becoming
vegan. When someone is vegan they only eat plant-based foods. These vegans have many
reasons for taking this drastic step of change weather it is from health benefits to
protecting the environment. When a person is eating a plant-based diet one must only eat
fruits, vegetables, grains, legumes, nuts and seeds.(Marshall 1). There is controversy as
to whether this lifestyle is healthy, good for the environment, and is able to provide
enough nutrients to a human being.
Initially, the discussion of why people decide to become vegan is very interesting.
History shows that at the beginning of time humans were only able to eat natural,
unprocessed foods and were able to survive. Their diet consisted of a plant-based diet,
which was high in fiber, low in saturated fats, lacking in cholesterol, with carbohydrate
in dilute form, rich in micronutrients and phytochemicals, and very low in energy
density.(Jenkins 128). This was all they needed to be able to live a sufficient nutrient
rich life. They were able to evolve and become the people of today on this diet of plantbased foods. After time went on the diet of an individual changed. Food is now made in

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factories not only on farms. Food was easily accessible, which did not take much work to
obtain it. During the cavemen era these early humans had to hunt and gather food using a
great amount of energy to obtain what they needed to survive. Now someone can just
drive through a take out window at a fast food joint and have a whole meal without even
lifting a finger. The industrial revolution and the industrialization of food production and
distribution has fulfilled human needs for energy conservation (sloth) and abundance of
food (gluttony)(Jenkins 128). This problem, because of advances in technology, led to
an increase in diseases in America as obesity, diabetes, and cholesterol levels rose. An
experiment was done to see if humans that switched back to a plant-based diet, that
historic humans would have had access to, could lower their levels of cholesterol making
them healthier. The results showed that serum cholesterol levels were likely to have
been low throughout the course of human evolution and that reintroduction of foods
containing cholesterol-lowering components might reducecholesterol(Jenkins 129).
This portrays the health benefits vegans gain, as eating a plant-based diet will help lower
cholesterol taking them off any drugs, which would have controlled this problem.
Much research has been done to show the benefits of veganism. A survey was
done across the United States to see how the public views a plant-based diet. Since many
doctors and nutritionists say, it can be challenging to get enough protein, iron, and B12
(all abundant in meat) and DHA/EPA omega 3 fatty acids (found in fatty fish) the
publics view of this diet can vary. (Marshall 19) The survey showed how more
uneducated and or older people were not as willing to change their diet to plant-based
when compared to younger and university-educated people. (Lea 829) This can portray
how veganism is a new, popular trend starting to come about in America. The older and

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uneducated crowds have not heard much about it. This survey revealed how people
wanted to know more about a plant-based diet. This shows how education is needed to
teach people of all the positives and negative this way of life has to offer. The survey
found largely positive beliefs about plant-based diets held by the survey respondents,
viewed in conjunction with other research findings with regard to reduced meat
consumption and organic diets, suggests that there is a trend towards plant-based
foods(Lea 835). This is interesting as these findings portray how Americans trust this
way of eating and think it is healthy even though there can be a nutritional deficit in their
health if they eat this way. This is truly motivating to eat healthy and vegan.
Veganism has been seen throughout history. Doctors researched a Rastafarian
cult, formed in Jamaica around the 1960s, because they had only eaten a plant-based
diet. Ten Rastafarian men aged 18 to 40 who had been vegans for from two to 20 years
presented with evidence of vitamin B12 deficiency (Campbell 1618). Since these men
did not eat meat or dairy products they did not receive enough of this nutrient only found
in animal products. The normal range is between 180-1000(ng/l). The highest amount out
of all the men was 130 and the lowest was 10(ng/l). This shows how deficient these men
were when dealing with the B12 vitamin. The men in this cult did not want to take oral
B12 vitamins or include meat and diary in their diet. (Campbell 1618) This evidence
shows the downfall of eating a plant-based diet, as these men were nutrient deficient.
Another study presents a provocative new benefit of the consumption of milk(Jones
250). In a vegan diet many discuss the negatives of not getting enough calcium because
dairy is cut out of the diet. This study tested the levels of glutathione in a persons diet.
Dairy in milk also gave the individuals calcium and protein that they might have lacked

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on a vegan, all plant-based diet. (Jones 249) Since these facts portray the benefits of diary
many some think twice before deciding if they want to cut it out of their diet completely
but these facts are not correct.
Many doctors are weary when answering questions about veganism especially
when regarding children. Will children that eat an all plant-based diet be able to grow at
the right rate for their age considering they are getting enough nutrients from the food
they are consuming? The answer is that the vegan dietmay not supply enough calories
per volume of food to support adequate growth (Johnston 337). This fact can cause
children eating a plant-based diet to become underweight because there are not enough
calories in plant food to support a growing child. Everyone who embraces veganism
should also embrace nutritional supplements. Many vegans limit the types of food they
eat [and] seldom use supplements(Johnston 339). If a person is considering going vegan
they need to consider the nutrients they will not be receiving because of their limited diet.
Vegan families can use these supplements to help their growing children obtain all the
nutrients they need to become healthy adults when on a plant-based diet.
Additionally, many become vegan for environmental reasons. The health benefits
and drawbacks many different doctors argue about are only side issues to the real reason
they are choosing to commit to this lifestyle. Many vegans are concerned with reducing
the huge amount of suffering animals on factory farms endure(Yearwood 1). To do this
task they say no to meat and dairy. By not supporting the meat and dairy industry they are
one less person that is adding to the problem. animals are treated so badly under
industrial agriculture because of this vegans are trying to spread the word about animal
cruelty. Recently the public has been hearing about this issue through documentaries and

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advocates. (Yearwood 1) Beyonc, the award-winning singer, is starting a vegan food
service. This celebrity is not only just supporting this plant-based diet, but is also
promoting vegan causes(Yearwood 1). Animal advocacy is a big cause vegans hold
dear to them. They want to end animal testing. They also wan to change the way animals
live and are treated in industrial farms. Animals are caged in tight places. Many do not
even see sunlight. Vegans are trying to spread the word about this issue and create laws to
fix this problem. Vegans and truly trying to help the world and everyone should get
involved.
The environment is affected in a disastrous way especially by animal farming.
The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals says, Waste runoff from
factory farms pollutes the water, land and air in neighboring communities, compromising
both human health and quality of life(ASPCA). Vegans do not support industries that are
ruining the environment. This is a big reason they do not buy food products from these
companies. Also, Farms that are not properly maintained can be breeding grounds for
salmonella and E. coli, which are passed to humans through meat, dairy and
eggs(ASPCA). Many vegans are disgusted with these farming industries and do not trust
their products as they use harmful unnatural antibiotics to combat diseases their farm
animals obtain from unsanitary living arrangements. The American Society for the
Prevention of Cruelty to Animals explains some actions the public can partake in to
combat this issue. We can make a difference today through more humane farming,
welfare-conscious shopping and reduced consumption of animal products(ASPCA). The
last point represents the vegans all around the world. They are boycotting this industry by

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totally cutting out the consumption of animal products out of their life. Some might think
it is extreme, while others view it as heroic.
The western diet is filled with dairy, starches, and meat. Since Americas diet has
so many of these products heart disease is more common in the United States then other
parts of the world. Doctor William Costelli explains: in the mid 1980s stated of the
5.5 billion people on earth, 4 billion will never have heard of heart disease. He meant at
that time it was limited to persons living in western civilization and those populations
who could afford to eat milk and dairy products, eggs, meat, chicken, white flour and
processed oils on a regular basis (Esselstyn 1).
People in a western culture consume a great amount of meat and dairy because it
is so accessible to them. They grow up eating animals their whole life and it is apart of
their custom. The meat and dairy industry advertises and pushes their products on the
public everyday. They do this through commercials on television to signs in school
stating, Got Milk? Since so much of this product is consumed it is linked to heart
disease, which is a great issue in America as it affects so many people. Got Milk? was
posted around my high school and middle school all my life. This made me think milk
was needed in a diet to be healthy. This is not the case. History shows how these two
products are linked together. In Norway from 1939 to 1945 the Germans came in and
took all of the peoples livestock. This was during World War two, the Holocaust, and the
Germans wanted to use the livestock as food for their soldiers. This forced the people of
Norway to eat a plant-based diet. They lived off of fruits, vegetables, legumes, and whole
grain. History shows through data that their, death from heart attacks and strokes in
Norway plummeted (Esselstyn 1). This huge group of people was able to lower their risk

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of heart disease by changing their diet to an all plant-based diet. Then in 1945 animal
products became available as well as an immediate return to the prewar levels of deaths
from these illnesses (Esselstyn 1). Once they all started to eat meat and dairy again,
heart disease came back into the population. This evidence directly correlates meat and
dairy to heart disease. When doing a study in the present day Doctor Esselstyn found that,
Angina heart pain diminished or disappeared as cholesterol levels promptly lowered and
both physicians found that x-rays of the hearts arteries confirmed the disease could be
reversed (Esselstyn). Food is medicine is portrayed through all of these studies showing
the curing agents it has on the body.
The Co-President of the Ethical Food Association, Sammy Fries, explains his
reason for going vegan. He states, Initially it was for more health reasons but the
overlying cause was the ethical impact. The more you look into the vegan trifecta of
health, sustainability, and animal rights, the more sense it makes to eat veg(Fries). He is
hopping on board with many other people around the world as he sees the research that
portrays the health benefits and environmental benefits of this lifestyle and decides to
make the change. When asked if he takes in regard the negative health drawbacks of
becoming vegan, like a nutrient deficit in protein and calcium, he explains that at first he
supplemented protein (mostly because I fell into the protein myth that we "require"
much more of the macronutrient than in actuality) b12 and even took a multivitamin but
now he explains that, Once you understand how to find nutrients in foods it's easy to get
a balanced diet without the need for supplements Calcium is in many plant foods: tofu,
nuts, most vegan milks, kale, collards(Fries). He has found vegan foods that can
fulfill all the nutrients he is not receiving by avoiding eating dairy or meat and only

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eating plant-based foods. Fries has a specific reason for becoming vegan other than the
health benefits. He advocates against animal agriculture and is disgusted by the
detrimental environmental effects that are occurring because of this action. Being the copresident of the Ethical Food Association has helped him form a social group of vegans.
He says, We stick together to swap recipes, deals, new restaurant reviews, and just a
group of people to be there and talk to(Fries). Subsequently, he has people that are
committed to the same lifestyle he is.
The Ethical Food Association is a group on Florida States Campus that advocates
a vegan lifestyle. They also explain the harmful consequences of the western diet to
students that are uneducated about this topic. This organization states: This group was
created to inform FSU students about the consequences of western food culture and to
advocate proactive behavior that is conducive to the wellbeing of the planet, animals, and
humans, such as adopting vegetarian/vegan diet, becoming involved with local
agriculture, and choosing ethical food options(Kaplan). They have a Facebook group
that sends out information to their members.
In conclusion, veganism is a way of life many take very seriously. They are trying
to save the environment by boycotting the meat and dairy industry that is causing
pollution and sickness. They are also trying to help animals that are being treated so
poorly. Vegans are advocating in hope of passing laws, which will fix the environmental
problems they are trying to get the public to stand up against. As they are eating this
plant-based diet and advocating for certain rights are they hurting their health in the long
run? Studies show they are nutrient deficient, mostly in protein and calcium. In contrast,
many other studies show they are healthier than the normal person as they have lower

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cholesterol. Also, their chances of getting heart disease and diabetes dwindles because
they are eating all plant-based foods. This controversy of whether this lifestyle is safe to
partake is shown through many different studies. Veganism is starting to become more
popular in America as celebrities are advocating this lifestyle, like Beyonc. A plantbased diet might be the best or worst lifestyle of the near future.

Work Cited
ASPCA. "Factory Farms." ASPCA. American Society for the
Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, 2016. Web. 18 Feb. 2016.
Campbell, Marie, W. S. Lofters, and W. N. Gibbs. "Rastafarianism and
the Vegans Syndrome." British Medical Journal (Clinical Research Edition)
285.6355 (1982): 1617-8. Print.
Cowspiracy. Dir. Kip Andersen and Keegan Kuhn. A.U.M. Films, 2014.
DVD.
Esselstyn, Caldwell. "Abolishing Heart Disease - Nutrition Studies."
Center for
Nutrition Studies. N.p., 15 Oct. 2013. Web. 18 Feb. 2016.
Forks Over Knives. Dir. Lee Fulkerson. Perf. T. Colin Campbell. Virgil Films and
Entertainment, 2011. DVD.
Fries, Sammy. "Veganism." E-mail interview. 20 Feb. 2016.
Jenkins, David J. A., and Cyril W. C. Kendall. "The Garden of Eden:
Plant-Based Diets, the Genetic Drive to Store Fat and Conserve Cholesterol, and
Implications for Epidemiology in the 21st Century." Epidemiology 17.2 (2006):
128-30. Print.
Johnston, Patricia K. "Getting enough to Grow on." The American
Journal of Nursing 84.3 (1984): 336-9. Print.
Jones, Peter J. H. "New Health Benefits of Dairy Products." American

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Journal of Clinical Nutrition 101.2 (2015): 249-50. Print.
Kaplan, Shannon. "Ethical Food Association." Ethical Food Association. Campus Labs,
2016. Web. 22 Feb. 2016.
Lea, E. J., D. Crawford, and A. Worsley. "Public Views of the Benefits
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clinical nutrition 60.7 (2006): 828-37. Print.
Marshall, Lisa. "More than a Diet." Natural Foods Merchandiser Jan
2015 2015: 17-9. Print.
Smith, Annabelle M. "Veganism and Osteoporosis: A Review of the
Current Literature." International journal of nursing practice 12.5 (10): 302;
302. Print.
Yearwood, Lagusta. "Beyonc's Vegan Food Service may be Start of
a very Welcome Celebrity Trend; Beyonc and Rapper Lil B are the Latest to
Jump on Vegan Bandwagon, but Far from Detracting from a Cause they are
Adding to a Growing Number of Advocates." The GuardianFebruary 2 2015.
Print.