Posted on Oct 5, 2023
Vegetarianism may be in the genes, study finds
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https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2023/10/05/ [login to see] /vegetarianism-vegetarian-genes-diet-meat-genetics
People are motivated to try a vegetarian diet for different reasons – from ethical and religious, to potential health and environmental benefits. But many people have a hard time sticking with it. In fact studies show many self-reported vegetarians actually do consume some animal products.
"A lot of people who want to be vegetarian are perhaps not able to," says Dr. Nabeel Yaseen, of Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. "We wanted to know if genetics is part of the reason," he says.
Yaseen and his collaborators compared the DNA of about 330,000 people, using data from the UK Biobank initiative. The study included 5,324 vegetarians, who had not eaten any animal flesh or products derived from animal flesh for at least one year.
People are motivated to try a vegetarian diet for different reasons – from ethical and religious, to potential health and environmental benefits. But many people have a hard time sticking with it. In fact studies show many self-reported vegetarians actually do consume some animal products.
"A lot of people who want to be vegetarian are perhaps not able to," says Dr. Nabeel Yaseen, of Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. "We wanted to know if genetics is part of the reason," he says.
Yaseen and his collaborators compared the DNA of about 330,000 people, using data from the UK Biobank initiative. The study included 5,324 vegetarians, who had not eaten any animal flesh or products derived from animal flesh for at least one year.
Vegetarianism may be in the genes, study finds
Posted from npr.org
Food/Chow
Eating and Diet
Ethics
Religion
Environment
Posted 1 y ago
Responses: 2
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Sorry I'm a meat man, not giving it up, just like I ignored it when they said coffee was bad for you.
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PO3 Bob Taylor
I went semi-veggie for about 10 years. Would allow fish and fowl. The severe limitations it places on available menu, esp back then, was problematic. Still limit red meat consumption, but a nice steak, with a spicy rub on it is a welcome treat.
A big cautionary with some veg and most vegan diets is the need for esp protein additions. A big wake-up was reading of F1 driver Louis Hamilton, vegan, needing a team of specialist dieticians to accompany him, and create targeted meals, so he had the strength and energy in competition.
A big cautionary with some veg and most vegan diets is the need for esp protein additions. A big wake-up was reading of F1 driver Louis Hamilton, vegan, needing a team of specialist dieticians to accompany him, and create targeted meals, so he had the strength and energy in competition.
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Lt Col John (Jack) Christensen
SGT Charlie Lee Funny how we've reached the age where we've outlived many of those who avoided those foods that were supposedly bad for you.
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Read this. Fascinating. Bet it has something to do with gut bacteria as wwell
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