Hello Tom, To tell you the truth I had an MD who practices mainly alternative therapies do a work up on me through applied kinesiology. I consider him to be quite an expert in this method of testing, however many people have their reservations about this technique He uses it for diagnosis of physical and emotional imbalances and also determining proper treatments for all kinds of chronic degenerative conditions(not solely as a tool to promote the use of nutritional products or supplementation). He is also very much in favor of a raw foods approach to healing and it is integral to his patients successes of overcoming poor health. At the time of the work up he noticed a cut on my leg that was not healing properly and also a scar that was dark pink and had also taken some time to form. He believed this was poor healing during an amino acid deficiency which corresponded to my raw vegan days. Needless to say he suggested incorporating a few animal products into my diet, b/c I was not obtaining sufficient levels of A.A.'s from nuts, seeds, and vegetables(I eat very little sprouts except alfalfa b/c I don't like the taste of most them). This all made since to me considering I have spent the first 21years of my life with animal products in my diet, either leading to an enzyme adaption to handle animal proteins or a lack of enzyme development for obtaining all aminos from plant sources in sufficient levels. This was aside from the fact that I was around 130lbs and am 6'4''. I would prefer to remain on a plant based diet(which still predominates), but I also would like to maintain a weight of about 150lbs(how much I weigh now). This is still quite thin, however this is dictated by my genetics, regardless of my caloric intake. So officially, I did not get blood work done to confirm the aa deficiency, but my body responded favorablily to the inclussion of animal products and that's really all the proof I needed. Sincerely, Ryan Cormney Ryan Cormney <[log in to unmask]>: >>-I'm no longer a vegan raw foodist, actually been eating a little of >>everything trying to find what works for my body, I lost way to much >>ight and actually did have an amino acid deficiency, tis true, I guess I >>uldn't get everything from a plant source or I didn't have the right sources. Tom: >Just curious - was your amino acid deficiency diagnosed by an MD or other >health professional? Did you have what is referred to as protein- >energy malnutrition, or other protein deficiency? >Good luck with your diet, and enjoy Ecuador/Galapagos!