Vegetarian Athletes?

"Think of the fierce energy concentrated in an acorn! You bury it in the ground, and it explodes into a giant oak tree! Bury a sheep, and nothing happens, but decay!"

---George Bernard Shaw

Continuing our conversation concerning the correct diet for man, some questions have been raised concerning a vegetarian diet and serious athletes. Research seems to indicate across the board that a primarily vegetarian diet enhances athletic performance.

The Yale Medical Journal published the results of tests conducted by Dr. Irving Fisher comparing stamina and strength of meat-eaters to that of vegetarians. His test groups were meat-eating athletes, vegetarian athletes, and vegetarian sedentary subjects. Of the three groups compared, the meat-eaters showed far less endurance than the vegetarians, even when the vegetarians led a sedentary lifestyle.

Dr. J. Ioteyko of the Academe De Medicine of Paris did a comparable study. His results revealed vegetarians averaged 2-3 times more stamina and recovered in only 1/5 of the time required of their meat-eating counter parts.

Danish researchers performed cycling endurance tests on the same group of men being fed different diets for the same amount of time. The results were the following: Mixed diet of meat and vegetables pedaled an average time of 114 minutes before muscular failure, diet high in meat, milk and eggs pedaled and average of 57 minutes before muscular failure, and the same men fed a strict vegetarian diet pedaled and average of 167 minutes before muscular failure.

Doctors in Belgium compared the number of times vegetarians and meat-eaters could squeeze a grip-meter. The vegetarians averaged a score of 69, while the meat-eaters averaged a score of 38. The vegetarians recovered from fatigue faster.

These studies illustrate the positive effects plant-based diets have on athletic endeavors. It also evidenced in the performance of serious athletes. Dave Scott is a triathlete winning Hawaii’s Ironman Triathlon (2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike, 26.2 mile run) an astounding four times. In college, Dave’s major was physiology. Dave is a vegetarian. Andreas Cahling is a body builder winning many titles including Mr. International. Andreas is a vegetarian. Arnold Swartzenegger, although not a vegetarian, "is convinced a vegetarian could be a serious competitor" in the body building arena. In Arnold’s Body Building for Men, Swartzenegger writes: "(In) my formula for basic good eating: eat about one gram of protein for every two pounds of body weight." To give you some perspective, a 200 lb. Guy would require 100 grams of protein, or 400 calories of protein – one large chicken breast. Arnold is a chiropractic patient.

Approximately 95% of those switching to a vegetable based diet report feeling better and have a better quality of life after the switch. What happened to the other 5%? We allocate some to the concept of biochemical individuality, what may effect you may not affect me. Vegetarian denotes what is not eaten. It does not address what is actually consumed. Being vegetarian does not assure one of good health or a good diet. Care needs to be taken in choosing the foods that we eat. A diet of potato chips, french fries, and soda pop can be classified as vegetarian. A diet comprised only of fruit is vegetarian too, but still falls short of our nutrient needs. The diet should be comprised of a wide variety of foods including fruits, vegetables, many green leafy vegetables and protein sources such as nuts, seeds, beans, and whole grains. Also care must be taken as you switch your diet. For those switching abruptly, your body may go through a period of withdraw, similar to kicking the coffee habit. Lasting changes usually occur slowly. Start by changing one or two meals week to a vegetarian meal. Experiment to find out what you like. Make it fun. The body is an amazing self-healing organism. It is never to late to start preventative measures.

By John Robbins, Stillpoint Publishing 1987

Paul A. Goldberg, M.P.H., D.C., Certified Natural Hygiene Practitioner

To obtain a copy, call Life University, Marietta GA and ask for the Nutrition Department, (770) 426 - 2741