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
