While mainstream medical and health professionals have acknowledged for decades the benefits of increasing vegetable intake and decreasing consumption of meat products, they generally refuse to endorse vegetarianism and as such there are still strong cultural taboos in America associated with a vegetarian or vegan diet and misconceptions continue to run deep about the need for meat or dairy for good health. Recent headlines, such as "McDonald's Ex-CEO Dies From Colorectal Cancer At Age 44" and others, atest that their mixed message is not getting through to prevent poor health. Going against this grain in American dietary culture, a growing number of vegan and vegetarian doctors are speaking out clearly about the benefits of entirely plant-based diets, attempting to educate the public about general nutrition and the healthful effects of a well-balanced vegetarian diet. Others are involved in long-term studies exploring the often ignored benefits, and potential risks, of animal-free nutrition, to better serve those who have chosen to forgo animal-based foods for various reasons.

Doctors and Nutrionists Speaking Out: John McDougall, MD in Marin Jan 20 | Dr. T Colin Campbell of "The China Study" in Palo Alto Feb 14 | Michael Greger of VeganMD.org Talks On-line | Jack Norris, RD Writes for VeganHealth.org

Recent Studies Related to Meat and/or Vegetarianism: Red Meat and Cancers of the Colon and Rectum | Antibiotic Overuse in Food Animals | Vegetarians, Meat Eaters and High Blood Pressure | Ongoing Long-term Vegan Health Study