For many years, animal products, such as milk, beef, and chicken, have been believed to be a necessary and crucial part of our diets. However, recent studies are beginning to find that this may not be true, with data pointing towards animal products possibly having a negative impact on our health. Animal products have been linked to Alzheimer's disease, diabetes, cardiovascular problems, and antibiotic resistance.
Alzheimer's Disease
According to a recent study by the Journal of the American College of Nutrition “meat consumption has the strongest link to Alzheimer's Disease, with dairy and egg consumption also raising the risk of the disease...For example, when Japan made the nutrition transition from the traditional Japanese diet to the Western diet, Alzheimer's Disease rates rose from 1% in 1985 to 7% in 2008”. Although there is still limited research on this topic, it could be due to the disease’s link to saturated fat, cholesterol, and toxins, which are primarily found in meat and dairy products. As the Harvard Medical School states, “Diets high in cholesterol and fat might speed up the formation of beta-amyloid plaques in the brain. These sticky protein clusters are blamed for much of the damage that occurs in the brains of people with Alzheimer's.”.
Diabetes
According to the Harvard School of Public Health (HSPH), eating processed meat, such as bacon, sausage, or processed deli meats, was associated with a 19% higher risk of type 2 diabetes. Although this research did not find a higher risk of diabetes from eating unprocessed meats, oftentimes vegan diets are higher in vegetables, fruits, and fiber, and lower in saturated fats, which is suitable with current dietary guidelines for diabetes. Acidic foods, like animal products, can increase the production of acid in the body, which has been linked to diabetes.
TMAO and Cardiovascular Problems - Heart Disease & Strokes
According to Harvard Medical School, TMOA (Trimethylamine N-oxide), which is produced when your body digests red meat, may raise the risk of cardiovascular problems, including heart attacks and strokes, as well as chronic kidney diseases. TMOA is produced when bacteria in the gut feast on choline, which is a substance found primarily in red meat, but also in eggs, fish, and poultry. A study conducted by JAMA, which analyzed the risks of high levels of TMOA, found that “people with higher levels of TMAO in their blood may have more than twice the risk of heart attack, stroke, or other serious cardiovascular problems, compared with people who have lower levels.” Although further research is still needed for us to understand more about TMOA, reducing levels of TMOA through a plant-based diet could prevent these life-threatening diseases.
Antibiotic resistance:
According to research conducted by ScienceDaily “Meat production accounts for 73% of global antibiotic use.” Antibiotics are used in farm animals to prevent and control the spread of diseases and to enhance animal growth, however, the overuse of antibiotics can lead to antibiotic resistance. In addition, according to The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, “While the prudent use of antibiotics is important to treat animal diseases, its overuse and misuse can contribute to antimicrobial resistance.” Antibiotic resistance occurs when bacteria change in response to the use of these medicines and become less affected by the antibiotics. When human infections can no longer be treated by first-line antibiotics, more expensive medicines are used. A growing number of infections such as pneumonia, tuberculosis, gonorrhea, and salmonellosis are becoming harder to treat due to the fact that antibiotics have become less effective. Consuming fewer animal products decreases the antibiotics resistance we indirectly contribute to.
With good planning and understanding, plant-based diets can provide all nutrients needed, including essential nutrients like calcium, iron, vitamin B12, and vitamin D. Although not all vegan or vegetarian foods are healthy (French fries are vegan!), reducing animal products in our diets and focusing on whole foods plant-based meals could help us lead a healthier lifestyle for ourselves and for our communities.
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