omnivores | Health Topics | NutritionFacts.org

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Topic summary contributed by volunteer(s): Randy

Omnivores eat both plant and animal foods. Omnivores may have higher rates of cancer, diabetes, and heart disease than vegans and vegetarians. An omnivorous diet also appears to increase the risk of abdominal fat, higher BMI, obesity, unhealthy stools, and accelerated aging.

Many clinical trials have compared omnivores to those eating plant-based diets. On average, those eating a plant-based diet may be deficient in three nutrients, whereas omnivores tend to be deficient in seven. Vegans have been found to have more acid erosion in their teeth compared to omnivores, though research indicates there are no significant differences in plaque, gingivitis, or cavities. The bone density of those eating a plant-based diet has been found to be equal to that of omnivores. Those eating strictly plant-based diets appear to have significantly more alkaline urine than omnivores, which helps remove uric acid from the body.

Other studies have found that individuals who switched from an omnivorous to a vegetarian diet had lower toxic metal levels of cadmium, lead, and mercury in their bodies. Children eating a plant-based diet were found to have the highest IQs, with those eating vegetarian ranking second, and omnivorous eaters at third. Omnivores apparently have a higher level of carcinogenic industrial toxins and pesticides in their bodies than vegans do. A diet with animal foods likely means a higher ingestion of arachidonic acid, which in turn may account for higher reported mood scores by vegetarians compared to omnivores. A comparison study between vegans and omnivores found that vegans had better blood sugar and insulin levels.

All Videos for Omnivores

Plant-Based Diets and Artery Function

Plant-Based Diets & Artery Function

The improvement of arterial function on a whole food, plant-based diet appears so pronounced that cardiac patients can achieve a 90% reduction in angina attacks.

Lipotoxicity: How Saturated Fat Raises Blood Sugar

The reason those eating plant-based diets have less fat buildup in their muscle cells and less insulin resistance may be because saturated fats appear to impair blood sugar control the most.

Cadmium and Cancer- Plant vs. Animal Foods

Cadmium & Cancer: Plant vs. Animal Foods

Though the most concentrated sources of the toxic metal cadmium are cigarette smoke, seafood, and organ meats, does greater consumption from whole grains and vegetables present a concern?

Do Vegetarians Get Enough Protein?

Do Vegetarians Get Enough Protein?

Nutritional quality indices show plant-based diets are the healthiest, but do vegetarians and vegans reach the recommended daily intake of protein?

Vitamin B12 Necessary for Arterial Health

Vitamin B12 Necessary for Arterial Health

The cardiovascular benefits of plant-based diets may be severely undermined by vitamin B12 deficiency.

Testing Your Diet with Pee & Purple Cabbage

Testing Your Diet with Pee & Purple Cabbage

Plant-based diets tend to be alkaline-forming. This may help protect muscle mass, and reduce the risk of gout and kidney stones. The pH of one’s urine can be estimated with natural pigments, using kitchen chemistry.

Trans Fat In Meat & Dairy

About half of America’s trans fat intake now comes from animal products.

Carnitine, Choline, Cancer, & Cholesterol: The TMAO Connection

Expanding on the subject of my upcoming appearance on The Dr. Oz Show, a landmark new article in the New England Journal of Medicine shows that choline in eggs, poultry, dairy, and fish produces the same toxic TMAO as carnitine in red meat—which may help explain plant-based protection from heart disease and prostate cancer.

Flax Seeds & Breast Cancer Prevention

Young women at high risk for breast cancer given just a teaspoon of ground flax seeds a day showed fewer precancerous changes.

Fiber vs. Breast Cancer

Inadequate fiber intake appears to be a risk factor for breast cancer, which can explain why women eating plant-based diets may be at lower risk.

Plant-Based Diets: Dental Health

Those eating more sour fruit may risk greater erosion of their tooth enamel (especially if teeth are brushed in a softened state), but there’s a simple solution.

Heterocyclic Amines in Eggs, Cheese, & Creatine?

Even vegetarians could potentially be exposed to the carcinogens typically formed by cooking meat through eggs, cheese, creatine sports supplements, and cigarette smoke.

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