You're wrong and rude, Mr Bahrt

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2012
You're wrong and rude, Mr Bahrt

Eric Bahrt writes, "debating Victor Meldrew is like arguing with the Flat Earth Society" (October 25).

Does he write this because I counter his claims that eating animals is a danger to our health?
I counter his claims with facts – isn’t this how to debate? From sources like the American Heart Association (AHA). I have asked Eric, “Are you stating the AHA to be wrong in recommending we eat meat and fish?”
Eric’s only response was that the AHA website also states, “Many studies have shown that vegetarians seem to have a lower risk of obesity, heart attacks, high blood pressure, diabetes mellitus and some forms of cancer”.
That statement writes “seems”, not inconclusive evidence or facts, but seems. That is not a recommendation, is it?
Eric then adds, “Still the AHA doesn’t tell people to become vegetarians because the AHA doesn’t think patients would follow that advice. But the AHA has never denied that vegetarian diets are healthier.” Eric knows this? Or is it just his opinion?
And Eric, the AHA has NEVER stated vegetarians are healthier either.
The same article goes on to state, “However, a vegetarian diet can be unhealthy if it contains too many calories and/or saturated fat and not enough important nutrients”.
Hmmm, Eric doesn’t warn us about this. The AHA website is full of advice that it wants people to follow – that’s the whole point of its website, to keep us healthy. And that’s why it published the following:
From an AHA scientific statement:  “An emphasis on whole diet is also appropriate to ensure nutrient adequacy and energy balance. Hence, rather than focusing on a single nutrient or food, individuals should aim to improve their whole or overall diet. Consistent with this principle, the AHA recommends that individuals consume a variety of fruits, vegetables, and grain products, especially whole grains; choose fat-free and low-fat dairy products, legumes, poultry, and lean meats; and eat fish, preferably oily fish, at least twice a week.”
So it seems to me that the AHA agrees with my views that animals are healthy and beneficial to eat, so maybe I do have a clue what I’m talking about, Mr Bahrt?
On that subject, Eric also writes that I haven’t got a clue what I’m talking about regarding Ornish diets. Eric, I simply wrote, “Just google his usual sources of proof – ‘The China Study’ and Dean Ornish – and you will find many other studies or experts have debunked these theories and diets”. Well that’s fact, they have.
So readers please do google “Dean Ornish diets debunked or wrong or dangerous” and you will see dozens of other experts proving some of his diets to be wrong and even harmful. Some of his diets are good but not all.
Eric cannot disprove that eating animals is beneficial to health, in moderation, and that tells me that he’s the one who is wrong. Being vegetarian or vegan isn’t wrong. But Eric is. And rude with it.
Victor Meldrew
Bangkok