I will look for the actual source when I have a little mosr time ( i am at work on break right now) but i have heard that vegetarians live longer on average than non vegetarian, it is a much healthier lifestyle and better for the environment too I will find those sources later.....

co-workers always are in doubt of vegetarian life styles

mine co-workers are like that at least.... they are always criticizing me for it, it seems like everyone criticized anyone who is a vegetarian even though they do not know the facts and they have never tried it themselves

Yep. Exactly. It's judgment before trial. So close minded it drives me crazy. I actually got pretty angry at lunch last week and left the table! I apologized later but I suppose I just don't need to try to convince people who aren't open minded...

here are a few things i have found that give info on life expectancy, etc...

"According to a study carried out by the Deutsches Krebsforschungszentrum (German Cancer Research Center), vegetarians have a dramatically lowered mortality risk. 100 deaths to be statistically expected in the age group of study participants are matched by only 59 real deaths in vegetarians. Looking at male participants only, the positive effect - with only 52 actual deaths - is even more pronounced." source-- http://www.healingcancernaturally.com/vege tarians-live-longer.html

this one has a lot of good information you should read through...i didnt want to copy and paste it all
http://www.ivu.org/oxveg/Talks/veglongevit y.html

The oldest living woman in 2006 was Chinese and vegetarian!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Du_Pinhua

I love that cause I'm 15 and a vegetarian and everyone either critisizes me and wants to know why or they're all up in my face about it and say I'm too young!

That is interesting about Du Pinhua the vegetarian 120yr old. Also, I found interesting that I looked up the oldest man in India surnamed Miyan who was 138yrs old and loved meat, so I'm unsure what it would prove if all it proves that you can be of either diet and achieve longevity if you genetically inclined. My grandmother died at the age of 87 and ate chocolate everyday of her life for over 60yrs against doctors orders. I think I'll keep the chocolate and take all things in moderation. If ethically you are against eating meat, then no one should dissuade you from your beliefs.

I was vegetarian for 20 years (no dairy, no red or white meat) and recently gave it up when I discovered I had hypothyroidism and infertility issues.

In traditional societies, fasting from meat (vegetarism) was meant to be a short term cleansing ritual that could provide health benefits to those suffering from cancer, kidney problems, gout, etc. Long term abstinence from meat has been linked to nutritional deficiences in essential fatty acids, protein, betacarotene, minerals, and vitamins (esp B's).

I suggest that you have a look at "Nourishing Traditions" cookbook by Sally Fallon before subscribing to a particular diet.

i was a veg from age7 to 30 and let me tell you it messes you up. im suffering for it. my teeth are bbad soft and break easily, my nauls soft brittle grow slowly, hair dull lifeless and fragile, skin is clear and looks good but lacking the tightness i would normally have, eyesight very bad, anemic, thyroid disease, at 30 have had 4 spinal surgeries weak bones you need calcium badly . my vit d was so low it did not even register the dr never saw that in his whole carrer, as well as all the others very low even though i ate veg and fruit and took supplements. let me tell you think long and hard befor thinking this is the BEST way to live in the long run you do so much damage to your body and well being. which do you want to live long and be there for your family or as some say save an animal. and yes i was a vet tech and worked in shelters from the time i was 14 so im an animal lover like no other but your life you only have one of so make it a long and really healthy one. study alot befor choosing this lifestyle.

borlef If you're assuming that you know that someone's dietary needs can be met on a vegetarian diet without knowing the particulars of their health or genetics then you're the mron. Not everyone functions without consuming meat. If you're Vegan for more than a few months and not borderline for anemia then you're ability to process nutrients in vegetables is radically different than 81% of Vegans out there who constantly struggle to incorporate iron into their bodies.

Most people aren't eating nearly enough vegetables and a lot of vegetarians are letting their pride push them into malnutrition. You need to eat the food that's right for you and it just doesn't get any more complicated than that. My great great uncle lived to 118. His secret to health was a Bowl of Oatmeal, a quarter pound of bacon and a pack of Marlboros every day.

I also was a lacto-ovo vegetarian for 15 years from age 14 to 29. I gave it up when I could no longer get out of bed. When I was a vegetarian my hair barely grew, was very thin as were my nails. I have memory, concentration and learning issues (I quit University because of this). I have chronic weakness and pain issues. I have terrible anxiety and depression problems. When I was a vegetarian I was constantly cold, my skin was very pale and I had acne problems and very high cholesterol (possible due to vitamins definciencies). Since eating meat again I am no longer cold, my hair and nails are healthy again as is my skin. My anxiety is lessening and my memory is returning somewhat. I still am EXTREMELY weak and still in alot of pain. I'm still awaiting further tests as to why but could be possible nerve damage. This diet has completely ruined my life. I firmly believed all the vegetarian literature and did alot of research during the period I was a vegetarian I did not believe it was causing all my health problems until I started eating meat again and realized I've been living the last 15 years of my life in a chronic malnourished state. I'm 30 now and still can't work. My future is looking very bleak. Don't let this happen to you...it's a terrible fate.