Do vegetarians live longer than meat eaters? A new study says, “Yes.” But the numbers don’t add up

Last man standing

You have to ask yourself: Do vegetarians really live longer?

Or do their lives just seem to drag on and on because they never get to indulge in a delicious a bacon cheeseburger?

Of course, when a recent vegetarian study was released claiming they outlive us carnivores, the media couldn’t jump on it fast enough.

But when you read past the headlines (far past them), you’ll see that it’s pure farm-raised malarkey!

Low numbers

The “vegetarians-live-longer” study has two low numbers that add up to two huge negatives that the mainstream media completely ignored…

1) The study lasted less than six years.

Six years. Seriously! You cannot gauge longevity in just six years. It’s absurd.

If you look at other longevity studies, you’ll find a common factor. They’re measured in decades. That’s “decades” — plural. Maybe the most famous of these studies — The Longevity Project — was started in 1921. And it’s still going. THAT’S how you study longevity. It should at least be longer than Seinfeld’s run.

2) Ages of subjects ranged from 30 and up.

Ummm… do I really need to point this one out? You can’t gauge longevity if part of your cohort hasn’t even hit 40 by the time the study is finished. Not even in a third-world country!

But even if this were a 30-year study that started with middle-aged subjects, there would still be one huge problem. Researchers ignored the most important detail about meat eating… The quality of the meat.

Someone who eats high-quality beef from healthy animals that graze on grass is one type of meat eater. Their diet is worlds different from someone who eats sausage, hot dogs, lunch meat, fried chicken, etc. A diet like that is more about highly processed foods than it is about meat.

And it’s that second diet that will shorten a lifespan — whether you’re eating pork rinds or good old-fashioned, vegetarian French fries.

And contrary to what mainstream nutritionists tell you, good-quality meat contains essential nutrition. And the fat in a first class cut of grass-fed beef is perfect for helping your body absorb fat-soluble vitamins like D, E, and K.

If you choose vegetarianism for religious or ethical reasons, that’s one thing. But there is no evidence that a healthy meat-based diet does anything to hurt your longevity — and it will probably make your long life a lot more delicious.

Sources:
“Vegetarians Live Longer Than Meat-Eaters, Study Finds” Avery Johnson, The Wall St. Journal, 6/3/13, online.wsj.com