Of interest to the list:

1.  "Effect of an Omnivorous Diet compared With a lactoovovegetarian Diet on
Resistance-Training-Induced changes in Body Composition and Skeletal Muscle
in Older Men, "  Campbell WW, et al, Am J Clin Nutr, 1999; 70: 1032-1039

This study involved resistance training of men between 51 and 69 years of
age.    Over 12 weeks, strength increased in all men, between 10 and 38%,
independent of diet.  However, while the men eating an omnivorous diet
showed an increase in lean body and muscle mass, the lactoovovegetarians
actually showed a reduction in lean mass and muscle mass.

2.  "Dietary intake of Vitamin D in Premenopausal, Healthy Vegans Was
Insufficient to Maintain Concentrations of Serum 25-Hydroxyvitamin D and
Intact Parathyroid Hormone Within Normal Ranges During Winter in Finland,"
Outila TA, Karkkainen MUM, et al, J Am Diet Assoc, April, 2000;
100(4):434-441.

This study showed that vegans had reduced vitamin D and elevated
parathyroid hormone levels (abnormal)compared to omnivores and
lactovegetarians.  In addition, the vegans had lower bone mineral density in
lumbar region of the spine and neck of the femur compared to omnivores.

This study is interesting because it shows that excluding all animal
products from the diet commonly results in abnormal vitamin D and
parathyroid levels and reduced bone mineral density.  Again, indicating
human need for some intake of animal products.

3.  "Signs of Impaired Cognitive Function in Adolescents With Marginal
Cobalamin Status,"  Louwman MWJ, van Dusseldorp M, van d Vijver FJR, et al,
Am J Clin Nutr, 2000; 72: 762-769.

Forty-eight adolescent subjects who consumed a vegan-type diet up to the age
of 6 years, followed by a lactovegetarian or omnivorous diet, compared with
24 subjects who were fed omnivorous diets from birth onward, were compared
(all subjects were between 10 and 18 years of age).  Results showed that 31
individuals (65%) from the previously vegan group were vitamin B12 deficient
according to plasma methylmalonic acid levels.    All control subjects had
normal B12 status.    The control subjects performed better on most
psychological tests than did the vegan subjects with low or normal B12
status, with a significant correlation between test scores and B12
deficiency.  The study showed that B12 deficiency may lead to impaired
cognitive function without hematologic signs being present.    A majority of
children fed B12 deficient, vegan type diets in early life may suffer
permanent impairment of cognitive abilities.

The text Understanding Nutrition (Whitney and Rolfes, West Pub, 1993), page
317, states:

³It is a myth that fermented soy products such as miso (a soybean paste) or
sea lagae such as spirulina provide vitamin B12 in its active form.
Extensive research shows that the amounts of vitamin B12 listed on the
labels of these plant products are inaccurate and misleading, because the
vitamin B12 in these products occurs in an inactive, unavailable form.
Vegans need a reliable source, such as vitmain B12 fortified soy Œmilk,¹
meat replacements, or vitamin B12 supplements.....

³People who stop eating foods containing vitamin B12 may take almost 20
years to develop deficiencies. The reason they take so long is that the body
recycles much of its vitamin B12, reabsorbing it over and over again.³

This text cites V. Herbert, Vitamin B12:  Plant sources, requirements, and
assay, Am J Clin Nutr 48 (1988): 852-858 in support of these assertions.

Thus, humans apparently need to eat 'some' (how much ?) animal products, for
optimal health.


Don