Peggy Carlson is an emergency medicine physician.

"The Complete Vegetarian is the no-nonsense, evidence-based book on the health benefits of a vegetarian diet. I highly recommend this authoritative volume to vegetarians, anyone who lives with a vegetarian, or anyone who is considering a vegetarian lifestyle."--Joseph M. Carlin, U.S. Administration on Aging “Thoroughly reviews the positive and negative aspects of a vegetarian diet . . . Recommended.”--Choice "A very useful resource for academic, health science, and public libraries."--American Reference Books Annual "The Complete Vegetarian is the definitive resource on nutrition and vegetarianism, written by all of the leading vegetarian nutritionists in the United States."--Carol J. Adams, author of The Sexual Politics of Meat: A Feminist-Vegetarian Critical Theory

• 1. Introduction    1Peggy Carlson, MDVegetarians    2History of Vegetarian Diets    2Diets around the World    5History of the "Western" or "Affluent" Diet    5History of Scientific Research into Diet-Related Diseases    9Conclusion    13References    132. Protein    15Virginia Messina, MPH, RDIntroduction    15Summary of the Scientific Literature    15Practical Aspects    19Conclusion    19References    213. Fats    23Brenda Davis, RDIntroduction    23Summary of the Scientific Literature    24Practical Aspects    38Conclusion    46References    464. Fiber    51Peggy Carlson, MDIntroduction    51Summary of the Scientific Literature    51Practical Aspects    60Conclusion    60References    615. Iron    64Dina Aronson, MS, RDIntroduction    64Summary of the Scientific Literature    64Practical Aspects    74Conclusion -- Vegetarians: At Risk, or Having an Edge?    75References    766. Calcium and Vitamin D    78Suzanne Havala Hobbs, DrPH, MS, RDJohn J. B. Anderson, PhDIntroduction    78Summary of the Scientific Literature    79Practical Aspects    80Conclusion    81References    827. Vitamin B12    83Michael A. Klaper, MDIntroduction    83Summary of the Scientific Literature    83Practical Aspects    88Conclusion    91References    918. Zinc    93Virginia Messina, MPH, RDReed Mangels, PhD, RD, FADAIntroduction    93Summary of the Scientific Literature    93Practical Aspects    96Conclusion    96References    979. Other Vitamins and Minerals     99Reed Mangels, PhD, RD, FADAIntroduction    99Summary of the Scientific Literature    99Practical Aspects    107Conclusion    107References    10810. Heart Disease    111Peggy Carlson, MDIntroduction    111Summary of the Scientific Literature    111Practical Aspects    126Conclusion    127References    12711. Cancer    134Peggy Carlson, MDIntroduction    134Summary of the Scientific Literature: Cancer Rates among Vegetarians    134The Relationship Between Diet and Cancer    140Practical Aspects    155Conclusion    156References    15612. Hypertension    162James Craner, MD, MPHIntroduction    162Summary of the Scientific Literature    163Practical Aspects    178Conclusion    179References    17913. Stroke    184Peggy Carlson, MDIntroduction    184Summary of the Scientific Literature    184Practical Aspects    196Conclusion    196References    19614. Obesity and a Vegetarian Diet    202Sudba Raj, PhD, RDIntroduction    202Summary of the Scientific Literature    202Practical Aspects    208Conclusion    209References    20915. Diabetes and Vegetarian Diets    212Peggy Carlson, MDIntroduction    212Summary of the Scientific Literature    214Practical Aspects: How to Plan a Vegetarian Diet for Diabetics    232Conclusion    233References    23316. Osteoporosis    239John J. B. Anderson, PhDSuzanne Havala Hobbs, DrPH, MS, RDIntroduction    239Summary of the Scientific Literature    239Practical Aspects    246Conclusion    247Acknowledgments    248References    24817. Gallbladder Disease, Diverticulitis, Appendicitis, Kidney Stones, and Kidney Failure    250Valerie Kurtzbalts, MSN, APRN, BCPeggy Carlson, MDIntroduction    250Summary of the Scientific Literature    250Practical Aspects    259Conclusion    259References    26018. Vegetarian Diets and Children    264Jeanene Fogli, MS, RD, LDNCarol M. Meerschaert, RD, LDNIntroduction    264Summary of the Scientific Literature    264Practical Aspects    270Conclusion    274References    2719. Pregnancy and Lactation    277Reed Mangels, PhD, RD, FADAIntroduction    277Summary of the Scientific Literature    277Practical Aspects    282Conclusion    284References    28420. Optimal Nutrition for Active Vegetarians and Vegetarian Athletes    288D. Enette Larson-Meyer, PhD, RD, FACSMMary Helen Niemeyer, MD, MPH, FAAFPIntroduction    288Summary of the Scientific Literature    289Practical Aspects    309Conclusion    310References    31021. Environmental and Food Safety Aspects of Vegetarian Diets    317Carl V. Phillips, MPP, PhDSimon K. Emms, PhDErin L. Kraker, MS, REHSIntroduction    317Types of Animal Food Production    318A Variety of Environmental Impacts    318Summary of the Scientific Literature    319Practical Aspects    333Conclusion    334Acknowledgment    335References    33522. Planning Nutritious vegetarian Diets    338Cheryl Sullivan, MA, RDIntroduction    338Summary of the Scientific Literature    338Practical Aspects    342Conclusion   343References    34423. Conclusion: Summary of Protective Factors    345Virginia Messina, MPH, RDPeggy Carlson, MDFactors in Vegetarian Diets That Are Protective    346Vegetarian Diets May be More Healthful Because of Lower Intakes of These Factors    347Conclusion    348Contributors    349Index    353