Raw but questions about reasoning

[DrBulldog]

Hi Everyone,

I've been raw for probably 4 weeks now and I'm loving it. I've been continuing research on eating raw and have come up with a question or two.

One is the fact that our digestive systems can't break down cellulose (cell walls of plants) like animals such as cows can. Can't this effect the nutrients we absorb compared to what we eat?

The other is regarding the gorillas and comparison of us to them regarding diet. Here are two things I've found, what does anyone think?

http://www.westonaprice.org/traditional_diets/gorilla.html

http://www.vegtalk.org/viewtopic.php?p=823

Thanks!

John

[DrBulldog]

http://www.matrifocus.com/LAM04/wisewoman.htm

Again, I love eating raw, I love the way I feel on it, I'm just curious about the science behind it all!

[veganman]

Hi DrBullDog -

Interesting reading. I found that the Wise Woman article conflicted with information I just read from one of Edward Howell's books on enzymes - that plants have enzymes in them to help digest that food.

I don't know where she is getting her info and will need to look at some of her references.

[rawfigure]

I read all three links and falied to find any relevance to what the Raw Diet is all about and what these articles are saying.

If you spend some time at this board reading the threads you will find many of us are Raw for the health and vitality it gives us....not because of what the Gorilla Eats or what our Ancestor's may or may not have been eating.

Some of the info conflicts too with basic nutritional info in regards to cooked.

So as far as the Science behind it, well, to me it is not an issue. I KNOW how I felt before I cahnged my diet to how I feel now...and THAT is all I need !

hope that helps ! :)

[rawpriestess]

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One is the fact that our digestive systems can't break down cellulose (cell walls of plants) like animals such as cows can. Can't this effect the nutrients we absorb compared to what we eat?
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this is called fiber, and we need it to facilitate in our digestion.

we were made this way.
***********************
The other is regarding the gorillas and comparison of us to them regarding diet.
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Well, we may be like Gorillas, but we are not gorillas, so eating exactly like them won't work.

that one little tiny piece of chromozone that is different, can make a world of difference, like speach, building with tools, inteligence, etc.

[Rawkinlocs]

DrBulldog,

Congrats on your 4 days of raw! I realize that you are finding conflicting info and that is causing some possible doubts and/or concerns. But please understand that our listowner does not want a lot of anti-raw stuff here. Please take a look at our Mission Statement (http://www.rawfoodtalk.com/forum/showthread.php?p=29992#post29992) as what I am saying is indicated there. You can and will find info all over the place that goes against a raw vegan diet just as you will find a great deal in support of it. But THIS forum is to support the diet and support those seeking to change over to or maintain such a diet...not for us to have to debate and/or try and prove anything or debunk articles, etc.

We are here to support you in being raw and realize you have legitimate concerns and we can address those, but when it begins to feel like we have to defend this lifestyle then that's when we (the moderators) have to step in and bring the focus of this board back into view. So, any matters you wish to address regarding staying raw, eating raw, etc. then that's what we're here for. But all the articles and links that are anti-raw need to stop, please.

Thank you for your understanding and cooperation on this matter.

[veganman]

DrBullDog -

here are a couple of supportive links of research for you:

http://www.herbsforhealth.com/index.php?page=article&do=view&id=rawsome
http://www.rawfoodlife.com/science_of_raw_v__cooked.htm

[lissomllama]

I take issue with that first article because to begin with, this statement is completely false, the opposite is true: "Unlike humans, the digestive tract of gorillas is equipped to manufacture the essential amino acids and other vital nutrients. The human digestive system is not so equipped and we must rely on animal proteins." The human digestive tract is not designed to handle animal proteins. Our bodies make proteins from the various amino acids that we are supposed to get from vegetables, grasses, fruits, nuts and seeds. When a human consumes animal protein the body is taxed and must deplete its own calcium and protein stores to break down the food. This actually results in a lack of protein and calcium because animal protein, once finally broken down after many hours is not optimally absorbed into the human body. When humans consume a balanced diet of vegetables, grasses, fruits, nuts and seeds their bodies easily and quickly assimilate all of the needed amino acids and with those amino acids, builds complete proteins that are easily absorbed and utilized without depleteing existing 'emergency' calcium and protein stores. If that evidence doesn't make sense, one only need look to the physical proof all around us. Look at the USA, it is full of a majority of persons eating animal protein based diets and these are the people with the highest incidences of diabetes, cancers, IBS, obeisity, arthritis, excema, gout, osteoperosis, athsma etc. In general, raw foodist vegans do not have these ailments as much or recover rapidly from them.

Secondly, the author misspelled the word frugivore in the fourth paragraph, the author typed "frutivore" and I realize that typos happen but one would think that in a logical and researched essay, the author would fix any and all typos so I'm lead to believe that this person intentionally typed 'frutivore' and believes that it is the the correct term.

In answer to the original question: Cellulose is not broken down because it is the fiber that sweeps our intestines clean and makes up the body of our fecal matter.

Furthermore, the first article states that: "It is interesting to note that advocates of vegetarian diets who use the diet of apes as a rational to support their food choice—asserting that the ape diet is more “natural”—fail to advocate eating a diet of all-raw plant foods as the apes do. The basic plant foods that humans eat must be cooked. Vegan advocates also say that by combining grains with legumes, one can get the essential amino acids." We here do not advocate eating a cooked vegetarian or vegan diet, we advocate eating raw vegan and many raw foodists do not agree with eating legumes and grain at all, so the argument presented in that article isn't prudent to us or our mission to begin with. No offense to you drbulldog, it is primarily the article that I don't agree with.

[DrBulldog]

Thanks for all of your comments! I appreciate that you took the time to write and that says a lot about the board. I apologize for posting something that wasn't within the mission statement, I was just curious about some of the things mentioned in the articles and thought that this was the best place to get some answers.

Hope you all have a fantastic day and thanks again!