omnivores

Dr. Spock recommended a diet free from meat and dairy for all children to prevent diseases such as cancer. Children eating vegetarian diets have also been found to have higher IQs than omnivorous children (vegan children have the highest). The diets of those eating vegan have been generally found to be deficient in three nutrients (especially Vitamin B12 – see also here, here), whereas omnivores tend to be deficient in seven. Omnivores generally are not deficient in iodine, but they do not have the protective low levels of aspirin found in the bloodstreams of those on a plant-based diet. All men, no matter what their diet, should be sure to get adequate zinc intake.

An omnivorous diet may increase the risk of the following: heart disease (see also here), cancer (see also here, here, here), blood cancers, rheumatoid arthritis, dementia, Alzheimer’s, gallstones, constipation, high cholesterol (see also here), abdominal fat, higher BMI, obesity, lower metabolism, arthritis, diabetes (see also here, here, here), DNA damage, hepatitis E, total/cancer/cardiovascular disease mortality (see also here), reduced sperm count in men, cataracts, accelerated aging (see also here), unhealthy stools, early onset puberty, allergies, and surgery & medication use.

An omnivorous diet may result in the ingestion of the following: industrial carcinogens (see here, here, here), trans-fats, mercury, and arachidonic acid (which may affect mood and mental states).

Meat consumption has also been found to have a negative effect on body odor attractiveness. And as far as bone density goes, vegan bone density was found to be equal to that of omnivores, and vegans actually had higher blood plasma protein levels than omnivores.

Topic summary contributed by Denise.
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