Do Vegans like Pamela Anderson Have It Right? New Findings Say Plant-Based Proteins Have ‘Major Health Advantages’ Over Animal Proteins

More Health Points with a Plant-Based Diet

• Actress Pamela Anderson has led a vegan lifestyle, meaning a plant-based diet with no meat (or dairy), for over three decades, which, according to new findings, is the way to go as far as living an overall healthier lifestyle.
• While it was widely believed that a plant-based diet lacked one or two essential amino acids, experts like Dr. Neil D. Barnard, author of The Power Foods Diet , have now determined that all plants contain all essential amino acids.
• People who eat plant-based diets have a reduced risk of obesity, heart disease, diabetes and cancer. The main problem with meat lies in the way it’s processed or cooked. The evidence is clear that too much charred meat, red meat, or processed meat such as sausages and hot dogs can up your cancer risk.
• If you’re interested in the benefits of going vegan or cutting back on meat, consult with a registered dietitian-nutritionist or similarly trained professional for more information on adapting to a plant-based diet.

Actress Pamela Anderson has led a vegan lifestyle, meaning a plant-based diet with no meat (or dairy), for over three decades, which, according to new findings, is the way to go as far as living an overall healthier lifestyle. "Plant-based proteins are associated with reduced mortality compared with animal proteins," says Dr. Neal D. Barnard, president of the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine and professor of medicine at the George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences — according to a New England Journal of Medicine letter to the editor published on Thursday. The letter was published following a new series on nutrition published one day earlier on the NEJM. "Many people are now shifting to plant-based diets and their nutrition improves in the process," Dr. Barnard added, noting that people who eat plant-based diets have a reduced risk of obesity, heart disease, diabetes and cancer. RELATED : Most Americans Skip Fruit, Splurge on Sugar and Red Meat Despite Cancer Prevention Nutrition Guidelines While it was widely believed in past years that a plant-based diet lacked one or two essential amino acids, experts like Barnard, author of The Power Foods Diet , have now determined that all plants contain all essential amino acids. Amino acids, according to Cleveland Clinic , are the building blocks of protein. "Your body needs 20 different amino acids to function correctly. Nine of these amino acids are called essential amino acids." In an updated note, the authors of the original NEJM piece responded saying that they "agree with Barnard regarding the importance of plant-based diets" and suggested consultation with a registered dietitian-nutritionist or similarly trained professional for more information on adapting to a plant-based diet.

Reduce Inflammation to Reduce Your Cancer Risk

Not ready to give up meat and make the switch? You can start by reducing inflammation in your body by cleaning up the bulk of your diet. Krista Maruschak , a registered dietitian at Cleveland Clinic, previously told SurvivorNet about how the anti-inflammatory diet decreases cancer risk. “Inflammation in the body can cause a whole host of health conditions and co-morbidities,” she said. “And inflammation is really increased by … refined carbohydrates, like white breads, white pastas, white rice, sweet desserts, as well as high fat, saturated fat, and meats like red meat [and processed meat].” Additionally, according to the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (which Barnard is president of), “Healthful foods from plants (vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and beans) lower breast cancer risk in several ways. They help with weight loss, because they are typically low in calories and high in appetite-taming fiber. In addition, high-fiber, low-fat diets can help you gently reduce estrogen levels. In turn, lower estrogen levels can lower your risk of cancer.”

What Is the Problem with Meat?

The problem with meat lies in the way it’s processed or cooked. The evidence is clear that too much charred meat, red meat, or processed meat such as sausages and hot dogs can up your cancer risk. However, according to Maruschak, lean meats such as turkey and fish as well as animal products like eggs are actually part of that good-for-you “anti-inflammatory diet” she mentioned. Communicating with Your Doctor to Determine Cancer Risk RELATED : Even Moderate Amounts of Red Meat Can Sharply Increase Risk Of Colorectal Cancer, New Study Finds Dr. Stephen Freedland , the Director of the Center for Integrated Research in Cancer at the Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, told SurvivorNet that while meat itself isn't "the enemy," the way that we process and cook our meats can cause cancer. The World Health Organization, it's worth noting, classifies processed meat as a carcinogen (meaning "cancer-causing") to humans.