Should I try the plant-based / vegan diet?

Experts raise concerns that plant-based diets may not be sustainable for older adults due to potential deficiencies in essential amino acids like methionine (Paul Saladino). Both vegan and ketogenic diets can be unhealthy if they consist of 'pure garbage' foods (Peter Attia). Eating a majority of the diet from lower-hierarchy plant foods can accelerate autoimmune diseases and problems while crowding out nutrient-rich foods (Paul Saladino). Plants may not provide all necessary nutrients for long-term optimal health, potentially leading to nutrient deficiencies, hormonal decline, osteoporosis, depression, and GI issues (Paul Saladino). A vegan diet can be challenging for older adults, requiring careful attention to ensure adequate intake of nutrients like B12, zinc, and iron (Andrew Huberman). Vegan diets can make it difficult to obtain all necessary nutrients without extreme attention to detail and large food quantities, potentially leading to long-term nutritional insufficiency (Paul Saladino). Arguments for plant-based diets are weak, and the film 'Game Changers' may promote misleading information towards veganism (Paul Saladino). The mainstream perception that plant-based diets are healthier than diets including meat is misleading, especially when comparing to individuals consuming processed foods (Paul Saladino). A vegan diet, especially without synthetic protein powders and supplements, results in negative health outcomes for humans (Paul Saladino). Reverting from a plant-based diet to an animal-food-heavy diet led to a progressive deterioration in health over a few weeks (Paul Saladino). Elise Parker experienced a decline in brain health, including brain fog and difficulty communicating, as well as digestive issues during four and a half years on a vegan diet (Paul Saladino). The bodybuilding community's belief that shedding weight on a vegan diet represents toxins leaving the body lacks specific definition (Paul Saladino). Incorporating salmon and red meat into the diet can restore a healthy sex drive (Paul Saladino). A diet based on raw foods can lead to subfecundity and amenorrhea (Paul Saladino). Returning to a plant-based diet can cause symptoms including muscle cramping and joint pain (Paul Saladino). Vegetarians had a higher rate of colorectal cancer in the EPIC-Oxford study (Paul Saladino). Kidney stones are now seen in younger individuals, including a 12-year-old who developed them after going vegan at age seven (Paul Saladino). Individuals who followed a vegan diet for four to five years experienced a significant decrease in libido (Paul Saladino). The depiction of cloudy blood after consuming a meat burrito versus clear blood after a vegan burrito in 'The Game Changers' movie is a poor scientific representation due to confounding factors and lack of measurement (Paul Saladino). Animal-based diets, characterized by predominantly animal foods and a few 'least toxic' plants, are evolutionarily consistent and improve health (Paul Saladino).

Further research clarifying the long-term nutritional adequacy of plant-based diets across different age groups, particularly for older adults, and more robust comparative studies on health outcomes between well-formulated plant-based and omnivorous diets would change the verdict. Additionally, studies that address the individual variability in gut microbiome response and nutrient absorption on plant-based diets would be beneficial.