Day 021 - 29 Jul 94 - Page 62


     
     1        than wheat.  An increased prevalence of iron deficiency
              anemia has also reported in macrobiotic vegetarians."
     2        Pausing there, what exactly are macrobiotic vegetarians?
              A.  To be honest I am not familiar with the details, but
     3        I believe they have their own particular rules as to what
              they will eat and what they will not eat.  I think it is
     4        related to some aspect of lifestyle as well.
 
     5   Q.   "However iron intakes appear to be relatively high in
              vegetarians and vegans whose staple food is wholemeal
     6        bread."  Are you conscious that wholemeal bread is a ready
              source of iron in the diet?
     7        A.  Yes.
 
     8   Q.   Haemoglobin concentrations are generally normal for both
              Seventh-Day Adventist and ethical vegans and vegetarians.
     9        However, serum, ferritin concentrations are low, below 12
              microgrammes."
    10
         MR. JUSTICE BELL:  Where are we going at the end of the day on
    11        this, Mr. Rampton?
 
    12   MR. RAMPTON:  I will draw your Lordship's attention, if I may,
              to two other passages.  The question I have at the end of
    13        this is a question -- well, there are two questions.  One
              is about meat which is the question I have already asked,
    14        and the other question is a question to which I will come
              in a moment.  Can you look at page 302, the second
    15        paragraph above the heading "Health of Vegetarians"?
              A.  Yes.
    16
         Q.   Here the authors are dealing with the question of
    17        influence of on meatless diet on growth and development.
              They say: "It needs to be more widely recognised that
    18        severe nutritional deficiencies which are extremely rare
              in the general population, have occurred in children
    19        reared on inappropriate vegetarian vegan diets.  With the
              increasing popularity of vegetarian diets and the trend
    20        for a small majority to ignore conventional nutritional
              wisdom, it seems inevitable that more children will fall
    21        victims to parental folly." We do not read to read
              conclusion because it is to similar effect.  Can I ask you
    22        this question, Professor Wheelock.  In the light of what
              is in paper, what is the importance in addressing the
    23        question of diet?  Is it to take proper advice and thought
              about what we eat, or is to abstain from particular
    24        substances for good and all and confine oneself to bread
              and potatoes?
    25        A.  I think it is essential that one takes advice on how
              to put together a healthy balanced diet. 
    26 
         Q.   So a vegetarian, do I conclude, may as easily damage the 
    27        health of himself or his child by failing to pay proper
              attention to balance in his diet as may an omnivore?
    28        A.  There are documented examples of that.
 
    29   Q.   There is very well little left, Professor Wheelock, we
              will all be grateful for that.  I do, however, want to do
    30        a little bit of -- no, I do not need to do it with you;
              I can do it by way of commentary at a later stage in the

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