QuestionI would like to know if it is possible that being vegetarian may weaken the immune system. I have been veg for 12 years and eat no meat at all but a few eggs. I get colds and sore throats more than I ever did as an omnivore, and they seem to last forever instead of coming and going quickly.
I feel that I balance the protein in my diet with beans and lentils as well as whole grains. I do supplement iron, vit C, zinc and B12 as I think these may be lacking by not eating meat. I wonder if the thing missing is the viruses and bacteria that would be found in red meat. Maybe because i don't eat red meat my immune system is not being challenged and strengthened by naturally occuring "bugs" in meat products. I thought this may be more important than just the vitamins and minerals found in red meat.
Has anyone heard of this being a possibility?
AnswerHi Lynn, I've answered this questions the following way (see if it's what you wanted to know, if not, follow up this question) at:
http://en.allexperts.com/q/Special-Diets-768/Vegetarian-diet-immune-system.htm
== From all I know about food/immune interactions, most critical substances *are* found in ovo-lacto-pesce diets. I failed finding any meat-specific enzymes affecting immune system. If your diary includes yogurs, kefirs, etc. with guaranteed live cultures or probiotics, you should be doing better than "mixed" eaters. If you didn't pay attention to probiotics, I would strongly advise you give it a try. Also, make it sure that enough of your vegetables are eaten raw.
However, there's one thing that you might want to discuss with your doctor - your hemoglobin numbers, the only thing that could explain your weakened immune response. Anemia weakens the body and can suppress immune reactions.
Tanya Zilberter, PhD
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