I agree everyone should do their own research!  However, as a dietitian and a vegan, I have to say that the statement that "strict vegans generally suffer from problems associated with lack of..." is incorrect.  It is the generalization that is incorrect, as most vegans are very nutritionally savy and do not lack any of these nutrients if a wide variety of food is consumed.  It is also safe to say that a deficiency of the mentioned nutrients leads to decreased energy levels and would therefore decrease athletic performance!   UF has a great nutrition program, however, as a student I encountered the occasional professor with a bias against vegetarian diets-at times almost laughably so!  Evaluate all information  you receive with the same caution-bias is unavoidable! 

Great discussion, maybe not the right forum, but just wanted to offer some clarification on the subject! Thanks guys for your posts! Have a great day!


-----Original Message-----
From: Lou Ortega <lou-natic@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: GCCMail@xxxxxxxxxx
Sent: Mon, Jul 27, 2009 9:52 pm
Subject: Re: GCCMail: vegans

I think you're over-reacting. I don't recall mentioning anything about energy levels or creating a relationship between being a vegan and an inability to be a top athlete. I simply mentioned some of the facts I learned from taking a nutrition class at UF from a guy that researches this stuff.

I'm not gonna get into a nutrition discussion that I'm certainly not qualified to have, I'll just simply say that people should be really careful before posting "truths" online and that I hope everyone does their own research.

Cheers :)

From: Eric Stubbs <balif2002@xxxxxxxxx>
To: GCCMail@xxxxxxxxxx
Sent: Monday, July 27, 2009 9:39:57 PM
Subject: GCCMail: vegans

Wow, that's not true at all.  Maybe you should read the articles.
I am a "strict" vegan and know many vegans, and none have the problems you describe.  My step mom recently went vegan and has been really excited about how much more energetic she feels.

On the other hand, the USDA has done surveys that suggest the majority of people have at least mild nutritional deficiencies.  So those eating the typical 'western diet' of meat, dairy, and refined 'white' carbs are the ones that should be worried.  Also, quickly googling 'western diet disease' brings up lost of info on all the chronic, common diseases (heart disease, cancers, osteoporosis, diabetes) that the American diet has caused to massively increase... whereas googling 'vegan diet disease' shows results about chronic disease prevention.
I'd agree that vegans should take a B12 (or better yet, multivitamin) supplement, but so should meat eaters.  All the other nutrients you mentioned are far more plentiful in a veg diet. 

Also, there aren't really several versions of vegan, but there are many types of vegetarians (lacto-, ovo-, and you, know, the people that are ""vegetarian"" but eat fish, etc.)
And here's a list of top notch veg athletes:   http://www.veganathlete.com/vegan_vegetarian_athletes.php
Brendan Brazier also just set up a new website all about the vegan diet that helped him become a 2x ultramarathon champion:
http://thrivein30.com/

Well I tried to keep it short but I can't help but respond to someone spreading anti-veg myths...

Take care,
Eric

From: Lou Ortega <lou-natic@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: GCCMail@xxxxxxxxxx
Sent: Monday, July 27, 2009 7:41:58 PM
Subject: Re: GCCMail: Re: older athletes: all should be wary, some will be affected

I didn't read the articles but important to keep in mind there are several versions of vegans. Strict vegans generally suffer from problems associated with lack of vitamin B12, calcium, vitamin D, zinc, and iron.
 
Lou


 
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