Is Vegan diet safe??

[jferraro]

A website basically says that a vegan diet is lacking in enough protein and Vitamin B-12. Also, that too much fruit is dangerous.

What have been your experiences?

I don't want to continue eating raw and hurt myself.

[Rawkinlocs]

Jerry,

I am going to copy and paste the link to another thread where you were posting what someone said negative about the raw food diet below but first I need to say this to you: http://rawfoodtalk.com/showthread.php?t=43100 Re-read the responses there.

You are going to find negative and positive things said about the raw vegan diet. It is good you are doing your due diligence and researching things out but again, RFT is basically a place of support to those who have decided, "Yeah, this IS for me". If you are on the fence or having doubts, then keep researching. Also, keep in mind that we have rules about posting things from anti-raw websites here.

I mean, you know how those of us here feel about raw and the benefits of it, etc. You've heard the pros and you've heard the so-called cons, you're getting both sides now YOU have to make a decision as to whom YOU are going to believe! Either you're going to eat raw and allow your own intuition to guide you or you are going to continue to search out sites as the one you posted (which as you notice I have removed that information because of what I said before about posting anti-raw propaganda) and continue to be confused and fearful of the unknown.

If raw is not for you, that's fine and you don't owe anyone any explanation...just eat as healthy as you can. But people have bad experiences or get bad advice and they then take a "EATING A RAW DIET IS BAD!" stance when it's clearly helping countless other people. People are healing from various diseases that their doctors have told them there is no hope or they have to take meds the rest of their lives.

So rather than searching out the negative things that can happen, why not search out what you can do to ensure that you don't run into any pitfalls. If you think/B12 the diet is lacking B12, take a supplement...easy as that! If you feel/think/believe it's lacking protein, then do what you feel you have to do but that doesn't mean that you cannot eat ANY raw food...period!

But read up on vegan sources of protein.

[RawKnitster]

I've read about those issues and have taken steps to ensure I'm getting protein from greens, nuts, and seeds. Hemp seeds or cold-milled hemp powders are a good source of protein.

Getting adequate B-12 should not be a problem either. It can be found in seaweeds, spirulina or blue-green algae, and fermented foods. I may be mistaken...but I think you can also get B-12 from sunflower seeds and bee pollen. For anyone concerned about it use a vegan vitamin B-12 supplement.

I'm sure there are cases of vegans who did not get proper nutrition, perhaps their diets did not have enough variety. I'm also sure the bad results from improper vegan diets are insignificant compared to the huge number of people dying everyday from the effects of a standard american diet.

If more people tried a living plant food diet it would put an end to many of the erroneous viewpoints on nutrition.

[jferraro]

Rawkinlocs,

I am not saying one cannot eat any raw food. I am just saying that it seems that eating 100% raw will not provide all the necessary nutrients and these deficiencies will gradually build up and cause problems.

You are telling me to do research and not post here if I am undecided. I am not posting here trying to cause trouble. I just feel that what better way to find out if the diet works or not than by hearing from people who are doing it.

Would it help if there was an "Undecided" section where people can question the diet without fear of being reprimanded?

[Rawkinlocs]

Jerry,

Raw Food Talk is for those who have made up their minds that raw IS for them, period. I am not trying to argue with you but I'm telling you what I know to be true because I have gotten it "straight from the horses mouth".

People who decide they want to be vegan (not even RAW vegan) go to a vegan forum to seek out support and get advice on eating a vegan diet, not to try and figure out if all the anti-vegan sites are right. They've found that eating meat and other foods apparently were not working for them healthwise. People here are here because they got sick eating the typical diet...even typical cooked vegan diets.

I know this may seem stringent to you, but that is just the rules of this particular forum. We're not the only raw food board so maybe if you feel we are limiting you here you may wish to try another one and see if they would care to debunk the fear-based articles and websites. But that is not what RFT is here for...sorry.

Again, if you do not feel that 100% raw will provide all the necessary nutrients, then take a supplement. Many raw fooders do that. Some are more extreme and decide to be au naturale about it and not take any...but many do to keep their bases covered and if that is what you feel you need to do, then do it.

But I'm sorry, we're not going to entertain those websites here. You say what better way to find out if the diet works than to ask those who are doing it...honey, the posts are here...clear as day that it works. A woman whose thyroid was DEAD as a door knob now has a perfectly functioning thyroid gland...doctors told her she'd be on meds the rest of her life...NOT so...RAW DIET!

Candida, diabetes, fibromalygia, arthritis, etc, etc....just read. But again, I'm sure you've heard the positive and you've heard the negative...WHO are you going to believe??? When are you going to find out for yourself if it works or not rather than taking the word of others?

Have you tried it for 30 days?

[jferraro]

RawKnitster,

Thanks for your informative response.

I am looking for answers, not to cause problems on this site.

[jferraro]

Rawkinlocs,

Yes I agree on the potential short term benefits of eating 100% raw, but what about the long-terms risks. That is what I am concerned about.

Things like gradually losing muscle mass, tooth decay caused by eating too much fruit. Also, protein and B-12 deficiencies.

Can you say without a doubt that eating 100% raw will not lead to deficiencies?

[Rawkinlocs]

Not sure about the muscle mass thing, never thought about it or hear much about it.

Tooth decay from too much fruit...hmmm...for one, sweet fruits are not the only types of fruit one can eat; secondly, we are not promoting an all-fruit diet here so anything you've heard regarding that is more than likely geared towards people who eat that way...all or mostly fruit. Also, simple solution...rinse the mouth after eating fruit and just keeping up with dental hygiene practices. Visit your dentist regularly if concerned over the long term.

Protein and B12 deficiencies...read my reply above on that.


Can I say without a doubt? NOPE... because I'm not a fortune teller. I can't predict the future. But how many people who eat a typical diet of animal products and other things think about what it does to them long-term? How many of our elderly do you think would have consumed mass amounts of dairy all their lives if they knew that they'd STILL end up with osteo-based diseases or dentures later on in life anyway despite all the times they were told and taught that milk "builds strong bones and teeth"? But again, there are supplements available if one feels the need for them!

But how about starting NOW and living NOW and as the years go by, you can always tweak things as needed. Keep a close watch on your health...get check ups and make adjustments as the years go by if you are concerned about long-term.

But also do some research on long-term raw fooders. But don't just look at the fact that they ate raw, look into what TYPE of raw diet did they eat. Did you know that a lot of raw fooders stop brushing their teeth or using toothpaste because they are wanting to get so much back to nature that they stop dental hygiene? Maybe that's why some end up with teeth issues. We don't know the full story or history of a lot of these people we hear someone say they heard about.

We see people get sick every single day from eating a non-raw diet but we hear a handful of stories of people having issues on the raw diet and we get scared.

But I'm getting tired now so I probably won't be posting anything further tonight. I hope that you just take to heart what I said.

[jferraro]

Rawkinlocs,

Thanks for your response. I understand your points. I am really new at this so trying to gather as much information as I can.

[Revvell]

Rawkinlocs,

Yes I agree on the potential short term benefits of eating 100% raw, but what about the long-terms risks. That is what I am concerned about.

Things like gradually losing muscle mass, tooth decay caused by eating too much fruit. Also, protein and B-12 deficiencies.

Can you say without a doubt that eating 100% raw will not lead to deficiencies?

Can you say without a doubt the way you're eating now wont cause muscle mass loss, tooth decay or protein and b-12 deficiencies?

All I know is, millions of people who are NOT eating raw foods have these problems and receiving more nutrients and enzymes from fresh, raw and living foods, has made a difference in hundreds of thousands of lives ~ many of them on this board.

[rockstar135]

Getting adequate B-12 should not be a problem either. It can be found in seaweeds, spirulina or blue-green algae, and fermented foods. I may be mistaken...but I think you can also get B-12 from sunflower seeds and bee pollen. For anyone concerned about it use a vegan vitamin B-12 supplement.


What's found in those food sources you mentioned are B-12 analogues, the kind that are not usable to your body and can actually block the absorption of the useful kind of B-12 your body.

Every vegan should supplement B-12.

[Revvell]

Every vegan should supplement B-12.

... as far as you know.

[Ilse W.]

Rawkinlocs, you RAWK. I know the forest is safe!:D

[rockstar135]

... as far as you know.

What do you mean, precisely? It's generally accepted knowledge from all major (vegan and non) scientific sources that there is no usable B-12 from plant based sources. If anyone has any reputable scientific source to the contrary, I'm all ears (eyes, I guess). I don't work for the meat/dairy/egg industry.:D

[Revvell]

I mean that this is as far as you know. LOTS of things are "generally accepted knowledge"... doesn't make it true. There are many raw vegans doing fine ~ far as I know ~ who don't take B-12 supplements. As far as "scientific sources go ~ reputable or otherwise ~ just about everything that's been "proven" has been "dis-proven".



What do you mean, precisely? It's generally accepted knowledge from all major (vegan and non) scientific sources that there is no usable B-12 from plant based sources. If anyone has any reputable scientific source to the contrary, I'm all ears (eyes, I guess). I don't work for the meat/dairy/egg industry.:D

[rockstar135]

I mean that this is as far as you know. LOTS of things are "generally accepted knowledge"... doesn't make it true. There are many raw vegans doing fine ~ far as I know ~ who don't take B-12 supplements. As far as "scientific sources go ~ reputable or otherwise ~ just about everything that's been "proven" has been "dis-proven".

You can of course use that same line of reasoning not to accept any generally accepted scientific fact at all.

[Revvell]

You can of course use that same line of reasoning not to accept any generally accepted scientific fact at all.
.... or to accept them all?

It's called testing it, see how it works for you. If it doesn't toss it; if it does, keep it. Do the due diligence and do the best you can. Been working it that way for 59 years. Seems to work for me. No doctors in my life since 1980.

[Raine]

Jferraro -

IMO - Alissa herself composed an excellent article on the very issue of protein. In a nutshell, protein does not beget protein - amino acids do.

Hopefully this article will assist with some of your questions.
http://www.rawfoodtalk.com/showthread.php?t=3296


.

[RawHeaven]

Jferraro, honest impressions after reading your post? You've already made up your mind that something is "wrong" with the raw food lifestyle. That there is something to prove and you're seeking validation to perhaps give it a shot. You're probably not going to receive that kind of support here or on any other raw forum I'm guessing, because most people are living and breathing it and doing fantastically well. Have you questioned the individuals who are extraordinarily unhealthy and frequent fast food restaurants three times a day, eat prescription medication and are not mindful of their role in the conservation of the planet? We somehow are okay with that, but when it comes to raw foods it it is viewed as extreme. I know without a doubt irregardless of the protein and B12 comments, that I'm getting much more nutrients in my body that are actually being utilized and absorbed than the 44 years of vegetarian/SAD/vegan eating I subjected myself to. Without a doubt. What you believe tends to take over. If you approach anything with fear, that's what you're gonna get. Fear (False energy appearing real). I sincerely wish you the best. And just speaking for myself I have absolutely nothing to "prove" with regard to eating raw foods. I simply know and trust it's the best for me.

[SekhemNefer]

I am ignorant about this protein stuff. What vegan foods are high in Amino Acids. The intake of this is important to me since I am strenght training. And I haven't not researched vegan protein powders yet.

Is there such a thing as a raw protein powder to buy at Whole Foods or Trader Joes?

[MOTH]

There are millions of little microbes all over the raw foods I eat (mostly fruit). I assume I get my b12 from the dirt particles (I don't wash produce - organic only) and the little insects that I cannot see with my naked eye. I have no teeth problems and feel wonderful. My memory is sharp. I've been eating this way for 9 months now and my eyesight is healing.

I don't feel the need to supplement, either.

Personal experience trumps doctor fear mongering.

[Veganforlife]

Without reading all the previous posts, I just want to say that if one follows Alissa's principals of eating - thoroughly outlined in her book and DVDs, one will not be lacking for anything.

[Rrose]

VFL is right, again. I agree one hundred percent.

[rawnhealthy]

Hi all,
My opinion is that we need to start trusting our own body, our own thoughts and feelings- intuition. No one answer is the answer for us all, regarding the topic of health and diet. Its time we take a moment to ask ourselves 'body what do you need to be healthy' before putting anything in our mouth, raw, vegan or not.

[raven]

It's an individual choice whether people choose to take b12 supplements or not. Many raw vegans do and Gabriel Cousens, Brian Clement and Paul Nison, inter alia, recommend them. I'd suggest reviewing the research and doing what feels comfortable for you.

Suzy

[carolg]

It's been over 30 years hubby and I both vegans and surviving well among our Aarp (over 50+) peers who are sick and always talking drugs. I can't relate and actually we are down to very few friends as they must think we are crazy.

My dental issues have been ongoing since birth. I do consume lots of fruits and can be part but not all of my problems I had.

Diet saved my husband's life. Yes, from never having another Epilepsy attack/bout which came on suddenly and yes with dr. diagnosis too as he was rushed to hospital over 30 years ago. No signs/warning from family traces, so it just came. It was gone in 6 weeks alternative choices and yes vegan one of them. So I'm choosing decisions based on my readings/choices/here, etc. to continue to keep myself alive and healthy being vegan, but 99.99999999% raw vegan. The other snip for not being 100% is choose, but many days for sure 100%.

carolg

[shine72]

What do you mean, precisely? It's generally accepted knowledge from all major (vegan and non) scientific sources that there is no usable B-12 from plant based sources. If anyone has any reputable scientific source to the contrary, I'm all ears (eyes, I guess). I don't work for the meat/dairy/egg industry.:D


It's also generally accepted knowledge from major scientific sources that vaccines and their components do not lead to autism. Yet, that is also untrue. But I digress.

In response to the original poster. You know what. If you're so scared it won't work for you, don't do it. Continue down the madness path of disease care (because calling it health care is beyond an oxy-moron). If you want to truly feel healthy, give it a try. If you're so worried about your levels, get yourself checked (physical, bloodwork) before you start and a few months after you've been doing. If you find yourself lacking in anything, find the foods or supplements that will help you NOT be deficient and go from there and then get retested after supplementation.

So the choice is up to you. It's an easy choice and a hard choice all at the same time. Some people feel very empowered when taking their health into their own hands. Others are terrified to take their power back, and would rather let others (their doctors) make all of their decisions for them. Which type of person do you want to be? I think that's the ultimate decision in the end.:)

[lynnc72]

Adding that the Boutenkos have been raw for 15 years and they don't supplement.

When asked if they take B12 supplement, they replied that they have never needed to.

B12 may not be found in plants from the grocery store, but they are present in weeds/wild edibles such as red clover for example. Their seminar has gotten me interested in gardening. Weeds are so hardy/drought tolerant that they are easy to grow in containers.

I bought from SeedsOfChange.com: red clover, purslane, sorrel, lambsquarters, etc....

[cara4art]

"A website basically says that a vegan diet is lacking in enough protein and Vitamin B-12. Also, that too much fruit is dangerous.

What have been your experiences?

I don't want to continue eating raw and hurt myself. " - jferraro

There are a lot of people out there who discredit the raw food diet, because they don't really know how many people have truly been helped by it, or they hear only about someone who had an eating disorder to begin with, or they were not eating properly on it. Some people get fearful if they are trying to transition straight from a junk food diet to 100% raw and that is the biggest jump that anyone can make. Some people can do that, others take more time to transition, including more and more raw foods into their diet, and slowly the old ones just drop away because they no longer appeal, and the person feels so-o much better eating in the new way. Personally, I love it, even at not 100% raw at this time, and I've definitely noticed a difference in strength and endurance from powered-up green smoothies(in fact these were the gateway to raw for me this time around, starting back in February). My energy is very good, and my skin looks better, and the whites of my eyes are getting clearer(took a few months, as I'm 61 now). I'm loving the raw journey!
If you are still not sure, stick around here and read people's stories about how they've been helped, and do check in with a few good raw food recipe sites. You will see that there can be great variety on the raw food diet as you are dealing with the whole bounty of the edible plant kingdom, that has everything you need in its natural state to nourish and fuel you. Alissa's post on protein and calcium is excellent. As far as "too much fruit", it takes some trial and error to find the balance that works for you - some people do well on lots of fruit and lower fat, others do better on higher greens and fats, and some are in the middle. Also, one's eating pattern can change as well - at times you might be eating lots of greens, pates, raw desserts, etc., and at others you might just find yourself satisfied with more fruit, green smoothies and lighter fare. The only way you will know is to try. Any increase in one's raw food intake is totally a step in the right direction, and this is a case where more is better(as far as how much of your daily food that is)! If you're concerned about the B-12, nutritional yeast(although technically not 100% raw)has it, or you could take a natural supplement. B-12 deficiencies can take awhile to show up. As far as supplements go, some people take a good bit in the way of superfoods and certain things, others don't - your mileage may vary. Again, you won't know until you step in. Stick around, there's plenty of encouragement and support here and great stories. Not to mention recipes. Last but not least, do get a good raw recipe book or two - like Alissa's! But there are other good ones out there too! You might find that you will be eating a GREATER variety of delicious healthy foods on raw than on a regular diet.

[coco]

There are millions of little microbes all over the raw foods I eat (mostly fruit). I assume I get my b12 from the dirt particles (I don't wash produce - organic only) and the little insects that I cannot see with my naked eye.

just want to give you a heads up that my sister got a particularly difficult to eliminate parasite from some dirt on her veggies (intestinal worm, she shat one at xmas at her bf's house. how lovely). it took a round of very strong antibiotics followed by over a year of therapy to regain her health and the weight she lost.
and so, i personally don't think eating dirt is such a great idea.

[coco]

It's also generally accepted knowledge from major scientific sources that vaccines and their components do not lead to autism. Yet, that is also untrue.

again, just an fyi. most vaccines haven't contained mercury in some time (the ingredient supposedly linked to autism). i mention this here because it's no longer an issue and using it in discussion of vaccines is a moot point. (there are many other considerations re: vaccines of course).

ok, back on topic.

David Mason recently had some nutrient analysis blood work done and his fruitarian self is doing just fine in the B12 department so there you go. it may just be his constitution, his attitude, how clean and well functioning his system is, whatever. it's obviously working for some people. i'll still be making sure i get enough though.

[Raw Angel Mom]

Hello, i don't try to convince other to go on raw but i surely try to inspire them. Since you ask, i will recommend you that you watch those dvd bellow. John Robbin is the son of the owner of Robbin icecream. Dr. Fred Bisci is one of the most knowledgeable what is concerning Diet. He has been 40 year now on Raw food. His mother at age 70, was having serious health problem and it was a matter of time for her to pass. He managed to convince her to change her diet and she lived pass 100 year old.

A diet for all reasons by Michael Klaper, M.D.

A diet for a new America by John Robbin

Dr. Fred Bisci 40 years raw

Another very interesting dr. is Dr. Ann Wigmore. She was diagnosed with colon cancer at age 50, and her hair were completely gray. She cured her cancer with raw and alive food, at age 70 she had no more gray hair. She invented the energy soup, rejuvelac, she ate sprouts and wheat grass juice.

I was watching an audio tape from Dr. Fred Bisci, a young student from medicine asked him this famous question about B12. B12 come from a bacteria from our guts. This bacteria generate a chemical which is transmute into B12 by our system once absorb. The ones that are deficient come from flesh or animal fat diet. Because of mucus forming which prohibit the absortion of this chemical. According to him, someone will store B12 for up to 10 years or more. Now the deficiency come from a problem of absorbing. Many meat eaters eat a meat from corporation where the animal never eat fresh grass etc....

My say would be to get blood test done once in a while, yes you can eventually be deficient but only because of an absorbing problem due to mucus. I take B12 supplement, i buy mine from dr. Gabriel Cousens . It is more normal to be healthy then not to take supplement. Sadly, many food are deprive from mineral due to the depletion of the soil, you best bet is to go raw to be able to absorb as much nutrition you can.

Raw food especially 100% raw food, will lead to 100% absorbing your nutriment as per Victoria Butenko's research. Her son when snowboarding and while his friend spend a large amount in the restaurant over there to eat tone of food, he was completely satisfy with only THREE ORANGES. Raw food promote life and cook food promote deficiency according to many research.

Because many prior to raw food were eating animal fat, it is highly recommend to get check with blood test etc until their guts are able to absorb again at 100%. The one that eat cook food including animal fat even fish, should even be check out even closer due to this mucus forming.

To be healthy, you need more then food. You need to have a mental, physical and emotional balance. You can reach this with deep breath, yoga and even meditation or prayer for the emotional/mental balance, exercise and good choice of food, and body movement for the physical.

Raw food will give you the energy and motivation to do all of this. RAW FOOD HEAL.

Alissa proposed an excellent way of making your way to do raw food. If you haven't got Alissa dvd's yet, do so. You need to get comfortable with your mind in order to succeed with this diet. Also get 12 step to raw food by Victoria Boutenko. Once you are anchor, listen to your body and it will guide you to the perfect food for you. Speaking for me, i do better with seeds then many nuts, so i just change some recipe. Add green smoothie to your diet no matter what you decide to go raw or not.

I have done 100% raw food 60 days back in 2005, two years after i went back on raw food because i never managed to get the energy back that i experience on raw food. I am still adjusting with raw food and try to make different change for me, for i am very sensitive with food but i can tell you, my skin problem is completely cleared! I have energy to work full time and still nurse my child. Even though i had a good diet on cook food, i was literally burn out and very tired.

Best wishes on your journey, i highly recommend to you to give a fair try with raw food, you only risk to become healthier, lol... Your body will guide you. Some people don't do very well with too much fruit and some other like me, we need our fruits. So you will find the perfect combination for your body, and claim your health back for you deserve it.

[Pistachios]

Consider another perspective:

Animals in the wild do not supplement.
The strongest land animals are vegan (and do not cook either).
If raw vegan diets lack the nutrients to be healthy,
then by now there should have been widespread evidence
of severe physical problems.
Yet none of these have been referenced to on the many animal shows even though they are studied long term in their natural habitat.

Someone mentioned that the condition of the gut makes a difference. I've heard that line of reasoning before. Basically if we've altered the natural chemistry in our digestive system with unnatural eating over the years, then the real solution is not to supplement but address the root cause. If needed supplememt while improving dietary habits but the initial cause was not a supplement deficiency.

On the other hand, there is mind over matter. If in one's mind a raw vegan diet is not the best and could be potentially damaging long term, then no matter how pristine and wholesome and organic the fruits, nuts and vegetables, the body will not have the full benefit of these and could turn out to have negative outcomes because of the feelings of conflict involved in eating them.

[rawnhealthy]

I am ignorant about this protein stuff. What vegan foods are high in Amino Acids. The intake of this is important to me since I am strenght training. And I haven't not researched vegan protein powders yet.

Is there such a thing as a raw protein powder to buy at Whole Foods or Trader Joes?

Greens are very high in amino acids/protein. From what I understand raw protein powders are not necessary if enough greens are eaten and absorbed properly- ie: through a green smoothie for example.
On the other hand, I've heard a number of people recommending raw hemp powder for supplements.

[rawnhealthy]

just want to give you a heads up that my sister got a particularly difficult to eliminate parasite from some dirt on her veggies (intestinal worm, she shat one at xmas at her bf's house. how lovely). it took a round of very strong antibiotics followed by over a year of therapy to regain her health and the weight she lost.
and so, i personally don't think eating dirt is such a great idea.

There are always factors involved with any type of dis-ease or parasite. For example: parasites can only live when there is lack of life/sicknes/dis-ease. When our bodies are fully alive and healthy and have been cleansed of any previous 'toxins', parasites and pathogenic bacteria cannot live off of our scraps anymore.

[Raine]

Much like what Harvey Diamond and Jethro Kloss mentioned in their books -- disease CANNOT live in an alkaline blood system.

You get an acidic blood by eating meats and processed foods.

Vegs / fruit / grains will provide an alkaline blood.

[annavon]

A website basically says that a vegan diet is lacking in enough protein and Vitamin B-12. Also, that too much fruit is dangerous.

What have been your experiences?

I don't want to continue eating raw and hurt myself.

I can understand your concerns, I was a skeptic for a long time before I really made the committment to eat raw. One of the things that really helped me overcome my doubts was reading Gabriel Cousens book, Conscious Eating. He addresses the vitamin B-12 issue from a scientific standpoint. He is very credientialed as well (M.D. among other medical related certifications). He also relates the raw vegan diet to other medical traditions like Chinese and Ayervedic. He also explores the spiritual aspects of eating a vegan diet.

[petaltothemetal]

I'm wondering why, if you say you are eating raw, you are worried about hurting yourself. Are you possibly having physical or emotional detox symptoms? Depending on your earlier diet, you could be feeling some drastic changes in yourself that make you doubt your choice to try raw food. I recommend reading our posts in the monthly raw challenges. We post honestly about our ups and downs and it may help you understand your own feelings. Alissa's book also has reports from individuals who went raw. Some people feel incredible immediately, lose buckets of weight and look like movie stars. Some creep along slowly towards health, peace and beauty. Some have a rocky ride. Read up! It's worth it.

[shine72]

again, just an fyi. most vaccines haven't contained mercury in some time (the ingredient supposedly linked to autism). i mention this here because it's no longer an issue and using it in discussion of vaccines is a moot point. (there are many other considerations re: vaccines of course).

ok, back on topic.

David Mason recently had some nutrient analysis blood work done and his fruitarian self is doing just fine in the B12 department so there you go. it may just be his constitution, his attitude, how clean and well functioning his system is, whatever. it's obviously working for some people. i'll still be making sure i get enough though.

coco - there is still thimerisol in the flu vaccine, which they push for children with autism, just in case you didn't know. So while the main thimerisol containing vaccines have removed it, not all have. They don't tell you that though.

[Green_Woman]

I get so thrilled reading all these positive benefits on raw food, guys and gals... really I do! I was walking around campus today, noticing all the gorgeous young girls and studly boys walking around munching hamburgers and slurping coca-cola and I wanted to start chortling "Wall-eeeee!!!" because I can picture them in 10 years NOT being so very gorgeous or studly!!

In fact, it's already obvious because the 28-32 yr olds on campus look AWFUL and anyone over 35 just looks burned up and unhealthy... still stuffing those hamburgers and "healthy veggie wraps" down, though!

I gotta say, I'd rather "take risks" with eating fresh food that softens my entire body's skin, clears my acne, rids me of migraines (daily since age 11 until RAW!!!), cleans my internal system so that I'm always flushing and cleansing naturally and without effort, gives me stable, steady energy and opens my spiritual senses WIDE...!!!!

In fact, seems rather ridiculous thinking fresh, living food could possibly be damaging, considering the top diseases in our country (cancer, diabetes, heart disease) have all been by tied-in to the poor SAD diet by MEDICAL DOCTORS...