Many people who adopt a vegan diet do so because they object to animal cruelty and exploitation.  An additional reason for veganism involves health benefits, which were dramatically demonstrated in a recent Stanford University study of 22 pair of identical twins.  All participants in the study followed a prescribed healthy diet for eight weeks.  One twin in each pair ate a healthy vegan diet, while the other twin in each pair ate a healthy omnivorous diet.

At the end of the eight weeks, the twins who ate a healthy omnivorous diet had an average reduction in LDL cholesterol (“bad” cholesterol) of 2.4 milligrams, while the twins who ate a healthy vegan diet had a reduction of 15.2 milligrams.  LDL cholesterol is related to the build-up of plaque in the arteries, which can lead to heart attack and stroke.  The average weight loss of the twins who ate a healthy vegan diet was 4.2 pounds more, over eight weeks, than the weight loss of the twins who ate a healthy omnivorous diet.  The average fasting insulin levels of the twins who ate a healthy vegan diet were 20% lower than those of the twins who ate a healthy omnivorous diet.  The study is featured in the Netflix documentary You Are What You Eat.

Health professionals often recommend that those adopting a vegan diet take certain supplements, especially vitamins B12 and D3.  Please consult your doctor.

Good health and long life to you and all the animals!