Brothers and sisters these posts are being transferred from the "Vegan Diet Report," posted by Won Bae on 10-2-2000.
"My wife handed me a Norweigian newspaper. The English Snynopsis as follows:
"Children who are vegan have reduced intelligence and memory because they do not obtain enough Vitamin B-12, according to a new Norweigian study. Although that does not mean that parents should stop making their children eat vegetables, the results of the Norweigian-Dutch study are discouraging; a lack of the vitamin can lead to serious neurological damage. The study involvd 48 seemingly healthy vegan children.
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Liane - 10-2-2000
They should read what Dr. Thrash has to say about that. I think she would disagree.
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Richard Myers - 10-2-2000
It is a wonderful thing to have a Bible and also the writings of a modern day prophet. There is much to fear without God, but nothing to fear with Him. Daniel showed the benefit of following God rather than man.
The healthiest and most intelligent people I know are strict vegetarians--third generation in some cases. Now, to be a strict vegetarian is not to guarantee good health and intelligence; there is much more required for good health than not eating diseased animal products.
There are some strict vegetarians that use drugs on a daily basis and during pregnancy. There are others who drink coffee and tea and beer, etc. There are some, not many, who smoke. Many studies are quite flawed and draw false conclusions. It happens every day.
In order to have good health, one must follow all the light, not just part of it. If children continue to eat things that are not healthful, and do not eat what is necessary, they will not have good health even if they do not eat animal products.
I am not up to date on the studies of SDAs, but I would suggest looking at these studies first since it is there where you will find those that have been granted the light from on high in regards to good health.
I suppose the devil has his counterfeits with strict vegetarians as well as in the other areas of religious matters. I know that there are some who are strict vegetarians and say that fruit is unhealthful. I don't suppose their children are goind to be very smart or healthy. We can praise Jesus for the wisdom He has given to His people and to the world.
Let us remember that the world is as it was at the time of Noah and most of the children in this world are suffering in consequence. To eliminate unhealthful animal products is a good start, but cannot make one healthy while violating the laws of health.
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Richard Myers - 1-7-2000
It is a blessing to have an opportunity to address the concern for the health of our children. Ir is for their sake that I cannot remain silent. While there are some that will resist any effort to change their own lifestyle, there are others who will gladly walk in the light of reform and especially so for the sake of their children. My concern goes beyond what we do with our lives, but moves to our responsibility to help others who are ignorant of the light we have been given.
Over one hundred years ago, God sent light that SOON we would have to give up all animal products. I am thankful for that light and feel a great responsibility to help others see the danger of continuing the use of any animal product, especially those that have children. Many in the church remain silent so as to not offend anyone; I cannot. All I have to do is to think of the number of children being diagnosed with cancer and I feel compelled to speak up.
What do I believe the great danter is in using animal products? My greatest concern is for the health of newborns that have weak immune systems. For them to ingest animal flesh, animal milk, or eggs I beleive is to increase their chances greatly for contracting infectious diseases including cancer, and especially leukemia.
Leukemia is a leading killer of children under age 12. In the United States the dairy herds are infected with the bovine leukemia virus.
How sick have the animals become? One need only pick up a newspaper and before long he will read of another outbreak of E-coli poisoning from some form of cattle contamination. Even fresh apple juice is now suspect because of the danger existing that an apple fell into a field contaminated by E-coli from cattle.
This is a very serious subject and one that needs to be carefully and prayerfully studied out. We may repent of our wrong actions, but many times this will not reverse what happens as a result of what we have done.
Again, removing animal products from one's diet does not assure good health, it is only one area that needs to be addressed. If one continues to smoke, he will not obtain good health. I could go on and on, but I think you will understand my point. We need to learn more and then walk in the light we have. God will bless our desire to present to Him a healthy body and mind and the world will know that we are His children. He will have witnesses of the goodness of His ways.
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Michelle - 10-7-2000
I had raised this question a while back with no replies. What does Dr. Thrash have to say about it? Where can I find this out?
The article I read was from Honolulu Star Bulletin, and here is a quote from the article:
"Screening studies report that about one out of 7 people 65 years and older are deficient in B-12. An Australian study published last year reported that 73 percent of 245 SDA ministers who were consuming a vegetarian diet has serum B-12 levels below recommended levels. With this high incidence, it is surprising that there isn't a national screening program for B-12 status in the older population."
My question is not should we be eating animal products or not. My question is, how do we deal with this situation if we are vegatarian or vegan? (Besides vitamin supplements?)
The URL for the article I read is:
http://star bulletin.com/2000/09/13/features/health.html
Suzanne Sutton - 10-10-2000
Brothers and sisters, a vegetarian/vegan diet is indeed adequate for all our health needs. The American Dietetic Association informs us that appropriately planned vegetarian diets are healthful, are nutritionally adequate, and provide health benefits in the prevention and treatment of certain diseases.
They go on to point out that well-planned vegan and lacto-ovo vegetarian diets are appropriate for all stages of the life cycle, including during pregnancy and lactation. Appropriately planned vegan and lacto-ovo-vegetarian diets satisfy nutrient needs of infants, children, and adolescents and promote normal growth. They do mention that all vegan children should have a reliable source of vitamin B-12 and, if sun exposure is limited, vitamin D supplements or fortified foods should be used.
(The American Dietetic Association's web site on this subject is:
www.eatright.org/adap1197.html).
The B-12 question has indeed been a source of concern. I and family do take a supplement although I have articles that point out that a truly correct vegan diet with enough fiber and raw green vegetables, B-12 can be synthesized in the small intestines. Of couse, whole grains, fruits and nuts ar necessary to round out a correct diet. Many vegetarians/vegans favor certain processed, depleted foods over others and may not be getting adequate amounts of these basics. Others may not utilize a wide variety of the many fruits and vegetables available--favoring a limited few over a healthy variety. The point is that we should utilize a wide variety of the many fruits and vegetables that are available.
The "more sure word of prophecy," informs us that "in grains, fruits, vegetables, and nuts are to be found ALL the food elements that we need. If we will come to the Lord in simplicity of mind, He will teach us how to prepare wholesome food free from the taint of flesh meat." --Counsels on Diet and Food, p. 310.
Inspiration also points out that "grains, fruits, nuts, and vegetables constitute the diet chosen for us by our Creator. These foods, prepared in as simple and natural a manner as possible, are the most healthrul and nourishing. They impart a strength, a power of endurance, and a VIGOR OF INTELLECT, that are not afforded by a more complex and stimulating diet." CDF:313.
Shall we not believe the prophet and implement the health program God has designed for us?
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Liane - 10-11-2000
This is what Dr. Thrash says in her book, "Nutrition for Vegetarians," 1982.
It has been believed that only animal products contain suffiient quantities of vitamin B-12 to meet human needs. This is not the case, and many pure vegetarians live a lifetime without evidence of B-12 deficiency. We believe that if it is searched for the cause of B-12 deficiency can always be found in some other quarter than the absence of animal products in the diet.
We should point out that B-12 deficiency is a very rare disorder, and the overwhelming majority of cases occur in non-vegetarians.
Vitamin B-12 was isolated in 1948. Merck and company is holder of various patients of procedures for producing B-12 and owns the product claim. In 1951, 48 pounds of B-12 were produced.
There are several vegetarian food sources of B-12. While these sources may not be constant, it appears that they occur with sufficient frequency to supply the minute quantities of B-12 that are needed by those who are not abusing their health.
These include wheat, soybeans, various common greens, olives, fruits and many other foods that ocasionally have B-12 either in or on the food. It is difficult to avoid B-12.
A further source of B-12 is bacterial growth in the mouth (around the teeth and gums), in the nasopharynx, around the tonsils and tonsillar crypts, in the folds at the base of the tongue, and in the upper bronchial tree. Up to 0.5 micrograms daily can be obtained from this source. It is likely that this source alone will supply sufficient quantities of B-12 for the very small requirement that a pure vegetarian has, (especially considering his low protein intake) which further reduces the need for B-12.
It has also been shown that some bacteria which may colonize the small intestine of man can synthesize considerable amounts of biologically active forms of the B-12.
Individuals taking conventional diets need only about 0.1 micrograms of B-12 per day.
It is quite likely that vegan diets would require no nmore than 0.05 micrograms of B-12 per day.
High doses of vitamin C, destroy substantial amounts of B-12.
This gives you a general idea regarding vitamin B-12. Hope it helps.
--end of transfer.