Issue 5:Critiquing Stanford's Vegan Twin Study: Unveiling Biases in Nutrition Research
#1 The Netflix Vegan Twin Study
Lather. Rinse. Repeat. It's the modus operandi in vegan "research." First we had Tufts University trying to convince us that Lucky Charms are healthier for us than eggs. Then Harvard tried to convince us that meat causes diabetes, even though meat contains no glucose. And now Stanford is committed to convincing us that eating meat is bad (with very generous funding from fake meat producer Beyond Meat) with its new study on twins. It yielded 100s of media headlines but no one questioned the sponsorship by Beyond Meat or even mentioned it. For serious scientific research, such undeniable conflicts of interest are unheard of. Aside from that, the study has its many flaws, which I'll briefly mention.
- The study was only 8 weeks long. That's not nearly enough time to see real benefit or risk in a nutrition study. Nutrient deficiencies don't always show up within such a short amount of time. During the study B12 was consumed in much less amounts by the vegan group, which over time would manifest as health issues.
- The outcomes only focused on LDL cholesterol (the so-called 'bad' cholesterol), which we know will be lower because plants don't contain cholesterol. The plant sterols end up replacing cholesterol in the cell membranes. But the vegan diet also lowered HDL, the 'good' cholesterol, which interestingly, didn't make the headlines or the press release. LDL is not the end-all, be-all of heart health since we know that over 75% of people who have cardiac events have normal LDL levels. So, yes, the vegan group lowered their LDL, but so did the omnivore group, just by a lesser amount.
- The Plant-Based Diet Initiative at Stanford, the department that ran and funded the study, was created with the premise that plant-based diets are superior to omnivorous diets. It's a not a question for them; it's a given. They are not engaged in the scientific question of whether plant-based diets are healthy and complete for humans.
- The study reported that the vegan cohort had less B12 than the omnivorous group. This, we all know, is unsurprising. A plant-based diet is also deficient in omega 3 fatty acids, Vitamin A (retinol), calcium, Vitamin K2, Vitamin D, heme-iron, zinc, etc. A vegan diet requires on-going, long-term supplementation. It is reckless and incorrect to say that it is nutritionally complete. Wealthy and well-educated individuals might manage this. But much of the world would find this to be challenging and quite expensive. And a large percentage would find it detrimental to their health; specifically, women of child-bearing age, infants, children, and adolescents and the elderly.
- The key author in the study, Christopher Gardner, has long acknowledged that his nutrition research is not motivated by questions around human health. He has been a vegan since the 1980s and says that his interest in food science is about animal welfare, the planet, and labor issues, not health concerns. This would be fine if he wasn't making health claims as a nutritionist and serving as a member on the upcoming US Dietary Guidelines.
- Of course, part of the marketing of this "study" included an engaging film to get the message out - because who isn't mesmerized by twins? The Vogt Foundation, a vegan philanthropy organization, which should be yet another conflict of interest for Stanford's research, contributed funding to turning the research into a series for Netflix. But again, no one seems to mind that a US learning institution of the highest caliber is putting out overt vegan propaganda under the protective guise of "science."
#2 Download: Meat Stock
If you didn't get to it last month during the holiday hustle, now's a great time to download my easy meat stock recipe. It's a great way to nourish yourself during these cold winter months and give your digestive system a much needed helping hand after the indulgence of the holidays.
Meat stock is a deeply healing food that strengthens the integrity of the gut lining. Meat stock has several properties that are particularly healing for the gut. It is rich in nutrients such as collagen, gelatin, amino acids, and minerals. It is the cornerstone of any protocol requiring deep healing - autoimmune disorders, autism spectrum, degenerative disorders, mental health, etc. It's also a great addition for the upcoming winter months. It boosts immunity and keeps you resilient.
- Collagen and gelatin: The collagen and gelatin found in meat stock strengthen the gut lining and reduce inflammation.
- Amino acids: Meat stock contains various amino acids, including glycine, glutamine, and proline, which also help improve the integrity of the gut barrier.
- Minerals: The minerals that come out of the bones, meat, skin and joints are highly absorbable, meaning that they are easy for your body to use. Calcium, magnesium, phosphorus and other trace minerals are found in meat stock.
So go get my *free* recipe download for easy meat stock with flavor variations that might be helpful and appealing.
Remember, health is a birthright. Claim yours.
Chat soon,
Lubna
