Vegetarianism

I will be arguing against vegetarianism from a health standpoint. My opponent must argue that a vegan diet is healthier. Please begin your argument.

Many farms are raising animals in inhumane conditions by feeding the animals antibiotics and giving the animals extremely limited space. In such conditions a dangerous bacterial called ecoli is created, ecoli can make a someone seriously ill and even lead to death; harmful bacteria such a ecoli can show up in any animal derived ingredient making a becoming a vegan not only a healthier but a safer choice as well. Many people think that becoming a vegan involves giving up protein however you can get protein from foods like almonds and tofu. A varied vegan diet reduces the risk of heart disease, heart attack or stroke, protects against cancers, prevents loss of vision, osteoporosis and assists lowered blood pressure. Plant based diets help to reduce cholesterol and saturated fat, and to increase carotenoids, healthy fiber, vitamin C and folate. Independent scientific studies state that a diet based on the principles of veganism is perfectly adequate for good health throughout one's life.

First, my opponent focuses on the risk of E. Coli bacteria in animals and the risks it posses if not dealt with. E. Coli is only dangerous if the meat is under-cooked. The infections are quite rare and E. coli is not really a reason to not eat meat. Plus, E. Coli is found in cow intestines. There are lots of other meats out there other than cattle.
http://healthvermont.gov...

My opponent then goes to list a lot of different health advantages with a vegetarian diet, while not citing a single source. Therefore, just about all of that is invalid. I request that my opponent provide a source.

There are many important nutrients that a vegetarian diet simply cannot provide. For example, Vitamin B12. It is particularly important in the production of blood and function of the brain, but cannot be found in any plants. This poses a serious health risk for vegans. In fact, a study showed that 92% of vegans are deficient in this nutrient.
http://authoritynutrition.com...

Studies also showed that vegans are deficient in Creatine. This has a detrimental effect on muscle and brain function.
http://authoritynutrition.com...

Generally, vegans also have lower testosterone levels than meat-eaters.
http://authoritynutrition.com...

A vegetarian diet can also be the cause of infertility. 18 healthy, normal-weight women aged 19 to 27 years who had regular ovulatory menstrual cycles volunteered for a study. Nine women followed a vegetarian diet and nine a non-vegetarian diet. Both groups lost an average of 1 kg body weight/week. Seven of nine women in the vegetarian group became anovulatory while seven of nine women in the non-vegetarian diet group maintained ovulatory cycles with no changes in cycle length.
http://www.babymed.com...

I await my opponent's response.

2.6 million people die from obesity every year and avoiding meat is one of the simplest ways to cut down fat consumption Modern farm animals are deliberately fattened up to increase profits. Eating fatty meat increases your chances of having a heart attack or developing cancer.It's must easier to become (and stay) slim if you are a vegetarian. (By 'slim', I do not mean 'abnormally slender' or 'underweight' but rather, an absence of excess weight!)
http://giveusahome.co.uk...

My opponent said that vegetarians often lack B12 however B12 can be found in eggs, milk, yogurt, cheese and cream. By consuming one cup of milk a day vegetarians can get enough B12 and protein to live healthy well balanced lives.
http://www.ehow.com...

For females having high levels of testosterone is considered a health problem therefor becoming a vegetarian can help many females who struggle with this problem ad for males harmless mediation can be taken to increase testosterone levels if needed.
http://mentestosterone.blogspot.com...

If you eat meat, you are consuming hormones that were fed to the animals. No one knows what effect those hormones will have on your health. In some parts of the world, as many as one on four hamburgers contain growth hormones that were originally given to cattle.
http://giveusahome.co.uk...

The following diseases are commoner among meat eaters: anemia, appendicitis, arthritis, breast cancer, cancer of the colon, cancer of the prostrate, constipation, diabetes, gallstones, gout, high blood pressure, indigestion, obesity, piles, strokes and varicose veins. Lifelong vegetarians visit hospital 22% less often than meat eaters and for shorter stays. Vegetarians have a 20% lower blood cholesterol level than meat eaters and this reduces heart attack and cancer risks considerably.
http://giveusahome.co.uk...

Vegetarians are often more fit than people who eat meat because several of the worlds most successful athletes followed a strict vegetarian diet. Bill Walton,John Sally, Edwin Moses, Tony Gonzalez, Martina Navratilova and Carl Lewis are just a few examples of vegetarian athletes.
http://www.nursingschools.net...

Forgive me for forfeiting.

My opponent first addresses obesity. There is no reason to completely cut out meat out of your diet if you don't want to be obese. Just balance your diet and don't eat much fast-food.

My opponent also addresses testosterone. I read his source and no where does it say anything about vegetarianism. It simply lists many problems result because of lack of testosterone. In fact, vegetarianism or lack of meat is the cause of lowered testosterone in many males.
http://www.peaktestosterone.com...
http://mentestosterone.blogspot.com...

"If you eat meat, you are consuming hormones that were fed to the animals. No one knows what effect those hormones will have on your health."
Well, nothing devastating is happening to people, so it's not quick-acting or obvious. There are many ways to avoid hormone-pumped meats:
1) Avoid fast-food
2) Buy organic meat
There is no need to cut meat out of your diet.

"Vegetarians are often more fit than people who eat meat because several of the worlds most successful athletes followed a strict vegetarian diet."
My opponent lists some athletes that happen to be vegetarian and that is supposed to show fitness. That does not show any correlation between fitness and vegetarianism. I can list hundreds of successful athletes that are NOT vegetarian. In fact, most of the BEST athletes (those who earn 1st place in the Olympics for example) are not vegetarian. My opponent can start searching out all the gold-medal winners who are vegetarian but no matter how many he finds, there are always more that are meat-eaters.

Also consider the fact that our bodies are made to eat meat. It is unnatural for us not to eat meat.
http://listverse.com...

Studies have shown that vegetarians lack the following nutrients:
Calcium
Iron
Zinc
Vitamin A
Vitamin D
http://chriskresser.com...

Overall I do not see a single reason why people should cut meat out of their diet. There is no need to. Billions of people all around the world eat meat and are leading happy, healthy lives. Nature designed us perfectly, and nature made us omnivores, meaning we are MADE to eat meat. Then why shouldn't we? As long as its not the hormone-pumped, cholesterol filled meat that you get at McDonald's. There is no need to avoid meat.

Thank you for the good debate.