QuestionI've been on a vegeterian diet for approximately 15 years (actually, an ovo-lacto-pesce diet where I'll eat dairy products, eggs, and sometimes fish). In recent years, I've noticed that my body doesn't seem to be defending itself very well against illness. For instance, I can't just have a "normal" cold.....instead, they all seem to last forever until they progress into some kind of an infection that I need to be treated for. Conversely, friends & family tend to get the sniffles, and their body fights it off over the course of a few days. I've heard that a vegetarian diet lacks critical enzymes (only found in meat) that could likely compromise my immune system. Is that true?
AnswerHi Mike,
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.
Please don't hesitate asking me further questions.
Tanya Zilberter, PhD
- Prev:Meats
- Next:Labour Intensive Work diet