The Vegan Diet Explained

I have already written many articles explaining why the vegan diet is good for your health. In this one I wish to explain the details of the vegan diet. The diet does have some protein, but it is less than the usual overload of protein in the omnivorous diet. The vegan diet does not allow any animal products including dairy products or eggs. The vegetarian diet allows dairy products and eggs. The Hare Krishnas are vegetarians, but not vegans.

The Garden of Eatin'

Crops and produce are the best things to eat. These have fiber and no cholesterol.
CARROTS,RAW
Serving: 1 cup, grated
Water: 88.29 grams
Calories: 41
Total Lipids: 0.24 grams
Protein: 0.93 grams
Carbohydrates: 9.58 grams
Total Sugar: 4.54 grams
Saturated Fat: 0.032 grams
Monounsaturated Fat: 0.012 grams
Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.102 grams
Cholesterol: 0 mg
Fiber: 3 grams
Lycopene: 2 mcg
Alpha Carotene: 2817 mcg
Beta Carotene: 5774 mcg
Retinol: 0 mcg
Calcium: 33 mg
Iron: 0.3 mg
Magnesium: 12 mg
Phosphorus: 35 mg
Potassium: 320 mg
Selenium: 0.1 mcg
Sodium: 69 mg
Zinc: 0.24 mg
Vitamin A IU: 12036
Vitamin A RAE: 602
Vitamin B5 Pantothenic Acid: 0.273 mg
Vitamin B6: 0.138 mg
Vitamin C: 5.9 mg
Vitamin E: 0.66 mg
Thiamin: 0.066 mg
Riboflavin: 0.058 mg
Niacin: 0.983 mg
Vitamin K: 13.2 mcg
Folate: 19 mcg
Folic Acid: 0 mcg

Carrots have good fiber, good beta carotene, and very little fat. They have no cholesterol. They are mostly water and carbohydrates with a little protein. They taste good and are economical. I give them an A+ grade. They have good potassium.
CORN-BASED,EXTRUDED,CHIPS,PLN
Serving: 1 bag
Water: 1 grams
Calories: 539
Total Lipids: 33.4 grams
Protein: 6.6 grams
Carbohydrates: 56.9 grams
Total Sugar: 1.41 grams
Saturated Fat: 4.55 grams
Monounsaturated Fat: 9.66 grams
Polyunsaturated Fat: 16.48 grams
Cholesterol: 0 mg
Fiber: 4.9 grams
Lycopene: 0 mcg
Alpha Carotene: 28 mcg
Beta Carotene: 42 mcg
Retinol: 0 mcg
Calcium: 127 mg
Iron: 1.32 mg
Magnesium: 76 mg
Phosphorus: 185 mg
Potassium: 142 mg
Selenium: 6.7 mcg
Sodium: 630 mg
Zinc: 1.26 mg
Vitamin A IU: 94
Vitamin A RAE: 5
Vitamin B5 Pantothenic Acid: 0.394 mg
Vitamin B6: 0.242 mg
Vitamin C: 0 mg
Vitamin E: 1.36 mg
Thiamin: 0.027 mg
Riboflavin: 0.144 mg
Niacin: 1.183 mg
Vitamin K: 33.6 mcg
Folate: 20 mcg
Folic Acid: 0 mcg

CORN-BASED,EXTRUDED,CHIPS,BARBECUE-FLAVOR
Serving: 1 bag
Water: 1.2 grams
Calories: 523
Total Lipids: 32.7 grams
Protein: 7 grams
Carbohydrates: 56.2 grams
Total Sugar: grams
Saturated Fat: 4.46 grams
Monounsaturated Fat: 9.48 grams
Polyunsaturated Fat: 16.17 grams
Cholesterol: 0 mg
Fiber: 5.2 grams
Lycopene: mcg
Alpha Carotene: mcg
Beta Carotene: mcg
Retinol: 0 mcg
Calcium: 131 mg
Iron: 1.54 mg
Magnesium: 77 mg
Phosphorus: 207 mg
Potassium: 236 mg
Selenium: 4.1 mcg
Sodium: 763 mg
Zinc: 1.06 mg
Vitamin A IU: 611
Vitamin A RAE: 31
Vitamin B5 Pantothenic Acid: 0.143 mg
Vitamin B6: 0.23 mg
Vitamin C: 1.7 mg
Vitamin E: mg
Thiamin: 0.075 mg
Riboflavin: 0.21 mg
Niacin: 1.645 mg
Vitamin K: mcg
Folate: 39 mcg
Folic Acid: 0 mcg

POTATO CHIPS,BARBECUE-FLAVOR
Serving: 1 bag
Water: 1.9 grams
Calories: 491
Total Lipids: 32.4 grams
Protein: 7.7 grams
Carbohydrates: 52.8 grams
Total Sugar: grams
Saturated Fat: 8.05 grams
Monounsaturated Fat: 6.54 grams
Polyunsaturated Fat: 16.37 grams
Cholesterol: 0 mg
Fiber: 4.4 grams
Lycopene: mcg
Alpha Carotene: mcg
Beta Carotene: mcg
Retinol: 0 mcg
Calcium: 50 mg
Iron: 1.94 mg
Magnesium: 75 mg
Phosphorus: 186 mg
Potassium: 1261 mg
Selenium: 8.1 mcg
Sodium: 750 mg
Zinc: 0.94 mg
Vitamin A IU: 217
Vitamin A RAE: 11
Vitamin B5 Pantothenic Acid: 0.617 mg
Vitamin B6: 0.622 mg
Vitamin C: 33.9 mg
Vitamin E: mg
Thiamin: 0.215 mg
Riboflavin: 0.215 mg
Niacin: 4.692 mg
Vitamin K: mcg
Folate: 83 mcg
Folic Acid: 0 mcg

POTATO CHIPS,SOUR-CREAM-AND-ONION-FLAVOR
Serving: 1 bag
Water: 1.8 grams
Calories: 531
Total Lipids: 33.9 grams
Protein: 8.1 grams
Carbohydrates: 51.5 grams
Total Sugar: grams
Saturated Fat: 8.89 grams
Monounsaturated Fat: 6.12 grams
Polyunsaturated Fat: 17.42 grams
Cholesterol: 7 mg
Fiber: 5.2 grams
Lycopene: mcg
Alpha Carotene: mcg
Beta Carotene: 90 mcg
Retinol: 6 mcg
Calcium: 72 mg
Iron: 1.6 mg
Magnesium: 74 mg
Phosphorus: 176 mg
Potassium: 1331 mg
Selenium: 8.1 mcg
Sodium: 625 mg
Zinc: 0.98 mg
Vitamin A IU: 170
Vitamin A RAE: 14
Vitamin B5 Pantothenic Acid: 0.827 mg
Vitamin B6: 0.665 mg
Vitamin C: 37.3 mg
Vitamin E: mg
Thiamin: 0.189 mg
Riboflavin: 0.2 mg
Niacin: 4.029 mg
Vitamin K: mcg
Folate: 62 mcg
Folic Acid: 0 mcg

POTATO CHIPS,MADE FROM DRIED POTATOES,LT
Serving: 1 can
Water: 1.4 grams
Calories: 501
Total Lipids: 25.7 grams
Protein: 5.6 grams
Carbohydrates: 64.9 grams
Total Sugar: 5.01 grams
Saturated Fat: 5.13 grams
Monounsaturated Fat: 5.92 grams
Polyunsaturated Fat: 13.49 grams
Cholesterol: 0 mg
Fiber: 3.6 grams
Lycopene: 0 mcg
Alpha Carotene: 0 mcg
Beta Carotene: 0 mcg
Retinol: 0 mcg
Calcium: 34 mg
Iron: 1.51 mg
Magnesium: 63 mg
Phosphorus: 154 mg
Potassium: 1005 mg
Selenium: 8.1 mcg
Sodium: 428 mg
Zinc: 0.6 mg
Vitamin A IU: 0
Vitamin A RAE: 0
Vitamin B5 Pantothenic Acid: 0.25 mg
Vitamin B6: 0.782 mg
Vitamin C: 12 mg
Vitamin E: 2.18 mg
Thiamin: 0.19 mg
Riboflavin: 0.06 mg
Niacin: 4.2 mg
Vitamin K: 7.2 mcg
Folate: 27 mcg
Folic Acid: 0 mcg

POTATO CHIPS,MADE FR DRIED POTATOES,SOUR-CREAM&ONION-FLAVOR
Serving: 1 can
Water: 2 grams
Calories: 547
Total Lipids: 37 grams
Protein: 6.6 grams
Carbohydrates: 51.3 grams
Total Sugar: grams
Saturated Fat: 9.47 grams
Monounsaturated Fat: 7.12 grams
Polyunsaturated Fat: 18.78 grams
Cholesterol: 3 mg
Fiber: 1.2 grams
Lycopene: mcg
Alpha Carotene: mcg
Beta Carotene: mcg
Retinol: mcg
Calcium: 64 mg
Iron: 1.4 mg
Magnesium: 55 mg
Phosphorus: 169 mg
Potassium: 496 mg
Selenium: mcg
Sodium: 720 mg
Zinc: 0.71 mg
Vitamin A IU: 755
Vitamin A RAE:
Vitamin B5 Pantothenic Acid: 0.827 mg
Vitamin B6: 0.476 mg
Vitamin C: 9.5 mg
Vitamin E: mg
Thiamin: 0.18 mg
Riboflavin: 0.1 mg
Niacin: 2.5 mg
Vitamin K: mcg
Folate: 23 mcg
Folic Acid: 0 mcg

TORTILLA CHIPS,PLAIN
Serving: 1 bag
Water: 1.8 grams
Calories: 501
Total Lipids: 26.2 grams
Protein: 7 grams
Carbohydrates: 62.9 grams
Total Sugar: 0.53 grams
Saturated Fat: 5.02 grams
Monounsaturated Fat: 15.45 grams
Polyunsaturated Fat: 3.63 grams
Cholesterol: 0 mg
Fiber: 6.5 grams
Lycopene: 0 mcg
Alpha Carotene: 24 mcg
Beta Carotene: 37 mcg
Retinol: 0 mcg
Calcium: 154 mg
Iron: 1.52 mg
Magnesium: 88 mg
Phosphorus: 205 mg
Potassium: 197 mg
Selenium: 6.7 mcg
Sodium: 528 mg
Zinc: 1.53 mg
Vitamin A IU: 81
Vitamin A RAE: 4
Vitamin B5 Pantothenic Acid: 0.788 mg
Vitamin B6: 0.286 mg
Vitamin C: 0 mg
Vitamin E: 3.53 mg
Thiamin: 0.075 mg
Riboflavin: 0.184 mg
Niacin: 1.279 mg
Vitamin K: 0.7 mcg
Folate: 10 mcg
Folic Acid: 0 mcg

TORTILLA CHIPS,NACHO-FLAVOR
Serving: 1 bag
Water: 1.7 grams
Calories: 498
Total Lipids: 25.6 grams
Protein: 7.8 grams
Carbohydrates: 62.4 grams
Total Sugar: grams
Saturated Fat: 4.9 grams
Monounsaturated Fat: 15.09 grams
Polyunsaturated Fat: 3.54 grams
Cholesterol: 3 mg
Fiber: 5.3 grams
Lycopene: mcg
Alpha Carotene: mcg
Beta Carotene: mcg
Retinol: 6 mcg
Calcium: 147 mg
Iron: 1.43 mg
Magnesium: 82 mg
Phosphorus: 244 mg
Potassium: 216 mg
Selenium: 6.7 mcg
Sodium: 708 mg
Zinc: 1.2 mg
Vitamin A IU: 371
Vitamin A RAE: 24
Vitamin B5 Pantothenic Acid: 0.29 mg
Vitamin B6: 0.286 mg
Vitamin C: 1.8 mg
Vitamin E: mg
Thiamin: 0.128 mg
Riboflavin: 0.189 mg
Niacin: 1.431 mg
Vitamin K: mcg
Folate: 14 mcg
Folic Acid: 0 mcg

TORTILLA CHIPS,RANCH-FLAVOR
Serving: 1 bag
Water: 1.7 grams
Calories: 490
Total Lipids: 23.8 grams
Protein: 7.6 grams
Carbohydrates: 64.6 grams
Total Sugar: grams
Saturated Fat: 4.56 grams
Monounsaturated Fat: 14.05 grams
Polyunsaturated Fat: 3.3 grams
Cholesterol: 1 mg
Fiber: 3.9 grams
Lycopene: mcg
Alpha Carotene: mcg
Beta Carotene: mcg
Retinol: 2 mcg
Calcium: 141 mg
Iron: 1.46 mg
Magnesium: 89 mg
Phosphorus: 239 mg
Potassium: 244 mg
Selenium: 6.7 mcg
Sodium: 612 mg
Zinc: 1.24 mg
Vitamin A IU: 256
Vitamin A RAE: 15
Vitamin B5 Pantothenic Acid: 0.615 mg
Vitamin B6: 0.2 mg
Vitamin C: 0.9 mg
Vitamin E: mg
Thiamin: 0.105 mg
Riboflavin: 0.238 mg
Niacin: 1.455 mg
Vitamin K: mcg
Folate: 17 mcg
Folic Acid: 0 mcg

The above USDA (Dept. of Agriculture) data is for chips, which I consider to be junk foods even though they are vegan. When they are flavored with cheese, they are no longer vegan. When they are flavored with sour cream, they are no longer vegan. There are problems with chips. They have too much sodium. They also have a lot of fat, but the fat is mostly beneficial. The excess sodium is the killer. On the positive side, they have fiber, they taste good, and they are economical. However, I feel that we need to be fussy about what we eat. I give them a "D" grade. They don't get an "E" or a "F" because they usually have no cholesterol. I'll save the "F" for bacon.

Drugs

"The weller you are the more drugs you can take without getting sick. That's why doctors don't get into more trouble than they do with therapy." Eugene Stead Jr., 1968 (Believe it or not, this came from the American College of Physicians website! C. O.)

"The human's 'desire to take medicine' carries, however, a price tag. Nature's maladies are succeeded by iatrogenic hazards. Arising out of a restorative instinct, polypharmacy becomes itself an affliction." Kurt Kroenke, 1985 (Iatrogenic means a disease caused by doctors. C. O.)

"Remember how much you do not know. Do not pour strange medicines into your patients." William Osler, 1903

Miscellaneous

"Sometimes people mean well but do the wrong thing." Craig Olson, 2008

Schizophrenia

The late Dr. Carl Curt Pfeiffer of New Jersey favored "an orthomolecular approach to balancing body chemistry". In other words he wanted to treat mental illness with "nutrition". He had ideas similar to Linus Pauling except that he was interested in more than vitamins. He was also interested in minerals and amino acids. Pfeiffer was right, but it was a difficult task. First one has to know what the chemical errors are. Then one has to correct them.

Neuropathology

In 1982 Dr. Janice Stevens published a brilliant neuropathology study of schizophrenics. She found gliosis in the basal forebrain, particularly the substantia innominata. The basal forebrain is a cluster of areas located behind the eyes that are high in dopamine. This finding suggests a toxic factor. The location of the pathology suggests that the toxic metabolite may be a dopamine metabolite.

Nutrition and Mental Disease

This author has proposed a diet low in amino acids. This diet is similar to the diet used for kidney malfunction, which is also a low protein diet. The rationale is different, however. In kidney malfunction the body has trouble getting rid of urea and other protein wastes. In mental disease amino acids flood the neurons and glia. Pauling put too much emphasis on vitamins. The fact that vitamin C is being destroyed in mental illness may simply be a side effect of the disease. It could be the result of excessive methylation. Nevertheless Pauling was close to the truth.

Conclusions

This author has put together the pieces of the puzzle called "schizophrenia". Depression is very similar. The vegan diet is recommended.

References

1. www.associatedcontent.com/article/597363/tryptophan_and_mental_illness.html .

2. www.associatedcontent.com/article/593631/neurology_psychiatry.html .

3. www.associatedcontent.com/article/585783/the_human_brain_and_mental_illness.html .