12 September 2019Dairy, Diabetes and Obesity, Eggs

Taiwanese Buddhist Study

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Everything in moderation is a near unanimous response by health professional, health support organisations and media commentators to solving our health crisis.

A Taiwanese Buddhist study ¹ with 4,384 participants compared type 2 diabetes outcomes for lacto-ovo-vegetarians compared with those who consumed meat. The meat-eating group ate only a very small amount of meat.

Meat intake for females: 50% consumed less than 10 g/day; 25% consumed less than 2 g/day.
Meat intake for males: 50% consumed less than 20 g/day; 25% consumed less than 7 g/day.
Fish and meat intake for females: 50% consumed less than 17 g/day; 25% consumed less than 3 g/day
Fish and meat intake for males: 50% consumed less than 37 g/day; 25% consumed less than 11 g/day.

There were insufficient numbers to divide the vegetarians into subgroups (pesco, lacto-ovo, vegan). There were 69 vegans (no animal products) and there were no cases of diabetes within this group.

One Big Mac, with 2 meat patties, contains 90 g of meat—so the participants were consuming only a very small amount of meat. Three garden peas weigh a gram.

That minute amount of meat increased the risk of diabetes 4 times for females and 2 times for males. Not an endorsement for moderation.

Category	Pre-menopausal women		Menopausal women		Men
Diet type	Vegetarian	Omnivore	Vegetarian	Omnivore	Vegetarian	Omnivore
Diabetes %	0.6	2.3	2.8	10	4.3	8.1
Impaired Fasting Glucose %	5.8	9.0	14	18	12	17

For those interested, the p-values for the diabetes outcomes for pre-menopausal, menopausal and men cohorts were 0.0006, <0.0001 and 0.0014 respectively.

Category	Pre-menopausal women				Menopausal women				Men
Diet type	Lacto-ova- vegetarian		Omnivore		Lacto-ova- vegetarian		Omnivore		Lacto-ova- vegetarian		Omnivore
Measure	Median	25%	Median	25%	Median	25%	Median	25%	Median	25%	Median	25%
Fish (g)	0	0	5	1	0	0	7	2	0	0	15	4
Fresh meat (g)	0	0	11	2	0	0	7	1	0	0	20	7
Processed meat (g)	0	0	1	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	2	0
Eggs (g)	16	6	24	9	7	2	16	6	15	4	18	8
Dairy (g)	34	4	41	9	36	2	50	1	46	1	46	1
Soy (g)	96	53	68	30	88	41	52	23	104	53	63	27

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Footnotes

Chiu, T. H. T. et al. (2014) Taiwanese Vegetarians and Omnivores: Dietary Composition, Prevalence of Diabetes and IFG Marià Alemany (ed.). PLoS ONE. 9 (2), e88547.

Tags: Diabetes Moderation plant-based diet Taiwan Taiwanese Buddhist Study

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Sue C

Richard asked for blood tests before we started the program. My blood pressure was high and had been for some time. It had become border line medication. From the first appointment with Richard I removed meat, dairy and eggs from my diet and followed his advice – whole foods, plant based. I had a doctor’s appointment two days later to address my blood pressure and I was astounded that my blood pressure was normal.
Read more “Sue C”

Sue - Cessnock

I.G. – Hunter Valley

I did Richard’s course in April (2007). Since then I have given up eggs and dairy. I was not eating meat. I continue to make my own wheat bread. I was taking diabetic and arthritic medications.

With some additional help from a local naturopath, I no longer need any medications at all. I am able to do activities such as gardening which was not possible previously.Read more “I.G. – Hunter Valley”

I.G. - Hunter Valley, NSW

Mary

I was feeling very unwell, difficult to get up in the morning, lethargic and miserable. I had 3 children living at home so it was challenging. After many visits to the doctor, I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. It took some time. Because I was not overweight, the doctor assumed that I would not have diabetes.Read more “Mary”

Mary - Newcastle, NSW

Leukaemia Foundation – Hunter Valley

We have just had Richard present for us at one of the Leukaemia Foundation support Groups. The session was both informative and easy to understand, and encouraged group discussion and questions.Read more “Leukaemia Foundation – Hunter Valley”

Vicki

Leukaemia Foundation - Hunter Valley

Loreto

Richard is wonderfully considerate and helpful and he has been called on many times to assist my Kinesiology Practice. He pays impeccable attention to every detail of the work that he undertakes which he does with enthusiasm and caring. I admire Richard’s skills and abilities and he uses his insight, common sense and intelligence to wisely assist the people with whom he is working to achieve wonderful results.Read more “Loreto”

Loreto Whitney