“Zealotry” Pushing Vegetarian And Vegan Diets Devastating For Health, Nutritional Capacities

“Zealotry” Pushing Vegetarian And Vegan Diets Devastating For Health, Nutritional Capacities

Nearly 1,000 scientists across the globe signed an appeal to the Western governments arguing that livestock farming was too important to society to “become the victim of zealotry”.

#Livestock-derived foods provide a variety of essential nutrients and other #health-promoting compounds, many of which are lacking in diets even among those populations with higher incomes,” the declaration states.

The researchers warned that those who need to eat #animal products included young children, adolescents, pregnant and lactating women, women of reproductive age, older adults and the chronically ill.

Dr Wilhelm Windisch, a farming #nutrition expert at the Technical University of #Munich, said: Farmed and herded animals maintain a circular flow of materials in #agriculture by using and upcycling large amounts of materials humans cannot eat, turning them into high-quality nutrient dense #food.

One-size-fits-all agendas, such as the drastic reductions of livestock numbers could incur environmental and nutritional consequences on a massive scale, the appeal reads.

#British #NHS also advises that red meat – such as beef, lamb and pork – is a good source of protein, vitamins and minerals and can form part of a balanced diet.

“Removing fresh meat and dairy from diets would harm human health. Women, children, the elderly and low income would be particularly negatively impacted, said Dr Alice Stanton, of the Royal College of Surgeons in #Ireland, who peer-reviewed the scientists’ appeal.

As everything we do, food should be eaten in moderation, Dr Stanton stressed.