For over 12 years the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics accepts sponsorships from meat and dairy and junk food/soda companies. Who represents your health interests? Read here.
The benefits of potatoes and sweet potatoes here
Endometriosis Menstrual Pain Menopause Milk causes acne
Osteoporosis
The strong corrolation between countries with the highest dairy consumption having the highest hip fracture rates led to studies that show that animal proteins metabolize to be more acidic in the body and cause calcium to leach from our bones. Plant based diets tend to be bone sparing. Visit PCRM for details .
In study of girls, neither calcium intake nor dairy intake reduced fractures. Only vitamin D, not found naturally in milk, reduced fractures.
The modern Western diet tends to be low in sources of alkalai (fruits and vegetables) and high in sources of acid (fish, meats, and cheeses). When the quantity of bicarbonate ions is insufficient to maintain normal pH, the body is capable of mobilizing alkaline calcium salts from bone in order to neutralize acids consumed in the diet and generated by metabolism. Increased consumption of fruits and vegetables reduces the net acid content of the diet and may preserve calcium in bones. More from Oregon State University here.
The Singapore Chinese Health Study of 63,257 over 10 years found the more men and women ate a vegetable-fruit-soy diet instead of a meat based diet the lower incidence of hip fracture resulted. Need optimism? Eat more carotenoids.
Aging
NIH study “participants with a “Western-type” diet (characterized by high intakes of fried and sweet food, processed food and red meat, refined grains, and high-fat dairy products) had lower odds of ideal aging” (ideal aging defined as not dying and free of chronic conditions and high performance in physical, mental, and cognitive functioning tests).
Study shows vegetable and fruit heavy diet with reduced meat and dairy consumption results in not only longevity but is associated with a reduced risk of chronic diseases.
Study shows cellular aging which is a prognostic marker of ageing, disease, and premature morbidity decreases with vegan diet.
Study finds non-vegetarians experienced a 20 % higher mortality rate and had a diet that caused 29% more greenhouse gases than vegetarians.
Calcium
Best sources of naturally occurring calcium graphic
Children
Position of the American Dietetic Association: vegetarian diets-benefits ALL ages.
Danish study: Protein from animal sources, primarily meat products, consumed during pregnancy increases risk of overweight offspring.
Eyes
Bellevue, NE optometrist explains how a plant based diet can save your site here
Glaucoma-prevention with 3 servings of veggies a day – November 15, 2012 podcast here and how kale, spinach, carrots and peaches are particularly helpful-video here and a video here on how only plants are good sources
Study: Vegetarians were at 30% lower risk of cataract than were meat eaters, vegans 40% lower risk. Easy to understand analysis of study here.
Kidney Disease
Study: Food intake which burdens kidney function, like meat, should be limited in diabetics.
Reproductive Health
Study finds carotenoids and lycopene have a positive impact on semen quality. Conversely, a study found intake of full-fat dairy (cheese) was inversely related to (harms) sperm motility and morphology.
Study shows couples with higher cholesterol levels suffered prevented or delayed pregnancy.
Cell Metabolism reports that animal protein causes premature death from cancer and diabetes
Vegetables
Researchers analyzed 16 studies comprising over 1 million people and found that each serving of fruits & vegetables decreased the risk of dying by any cause by 5%.