Medical Conditions that Require Meat?
Question:
In my work, I come across people all the time who claim they would like to be vegan but because of food allergies, food sensitivities or a certain medical condition (like multiple sclerosis), they need to consume animal products for optimal health. What is the best way to respond to such claims?
Answer:
There are plenty of people with food allergies or sensitivities that are vegan, so it might be beneficial to let such people know that there may be many others like them but who have succeeded at being vegan.
I would find out more about their condition and find out what they think meat is providing for them, and then suggest plant food alternatives to provide the same nutrients. With many medical conditions, people just think they need protein, which should be easy to solve.
Here are some articles on food allergies and being vegan that might help you:
http://jacknorrisrd.com/?cat=22
If you know of someone with a specific condition who is saying this and you can find out more about it, feel free to email me and I’ll see if I can add anything of value.
I am always happy to try to help any people my readers might come across who want to be vegan but think they have a condition that prevents it. But, I ask that the people with the condition write me ̵ I won’t initiate contact with the person with the condition as that can be awkward. 
January 12th, 2013 at 7:23 am
Jack,
I remember that when Blink 182 drummer survived a plane crash he was told to eat meat to recover from burns faster. Is there any merit to that claim?
January 13th, 2013 at 6:16 am
I clicked on the link to the articles, and it doesn’t seem to work. Thanks.
January 13th, 2013 at 9:55 am
Cobie,
Someone else mentioned this and then followed up saying they did work after all. I checked the links before I sent the post out, after the other person wrote me, and just now, and they have all worked for me each time both on the website and in the Feedburner feed. So, I’m not sure what’s going on.
January 13th, 2013 at 8:57 pm
I was about to mention people with renal failure (with or without dialysis) but I pointed myself toward this interesting discussion on the blog – http://jacknorrisrd.com/?p=2110
Definitely worth a review!
January 14th, 2013 at 3:09 pm
Mike,
> told to eat meat to recover from burns faster. Is there any merit to that claim?
Again, this would be protein and possibly zinc and vitamin A. They can all be gotten through a vegan diet and/or supplements. The people in a burn unit aren’t going to sit down and devise a vegan regimen to help him heal, it’s much easier just to say “eat lots of meat.”