Superbugs found in chicken - Antibiotic resistant

BBC NEWS | Programmes | Real Story | Superbugs found in chicken survey: "Significant numbers of chickens on sale in UK shops are contaminated with superbugs, a scientific survey commissioned by BBC One's Real Story suggests. "

Of the British-grown chickens analysed, over half were contaminated with multi-drug resistant E.coli which is immune to the effects of three or more antibiotics.

More than a third of the 147 samples, which included overseas and UK produced chicken, had E.coli germs resistant to the important antibiotic Trimethaprim which is used to treat bladder infections.

According to the latest figures, British animals consume 15 tonnes of Trimethaprim a year.

The World Health Organisation has named antibiotic resistance as one of three major threats for the future.

Dr Mike Millar, the head of Infection Control at St Barts Hospital in London, said: "Potentially this is very worrying.

"We've known for years there've been outbreaks of bladder infections in different parts of the world but we haven't really known where the germs have been coming from.

In worst cases, bladder infections could lead to kidney damage and the need for renal dialysis, he said.

Vegan diet and exercise may stop or reverse prostate cancer

Vegan diet and exercise may stop or reverse prostate cancer progression: "Vegan diet and exercise may stop or reverse prostate cancer "

Men with early stage prostate cancer who make intensive changes in diet and lifestyle may stop or perhaps even reverse the progression of their illness, according to a new study.

The research is the first randomized, controlled trial showing that lifestyle changes may affect the progression of any type of cancer. Study findings are published in the September issue of the Journal of Urology.

The study was directed by Dean Ornish, MD, clinical professor, and Peter Carroll, MD, chair of the Department of Urology, both of the University of California, San Francisco, and the late William Fair, MD, chief of urologic surgery and chair of urologic oncology, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center.

The research team studied 93 men with biopsy-proven prostate cancer who had elected not to undergo conventional treatment for reasons unrelated to this study. The participants were randomly divided into either a group who were asked to make comprehensive changes in diet and lifestyle or a comparison group who were not asked to do so.

After one year, the researchers found that PSA levels (a protein marker for prostate cancer) decreased in men in the group who made comprehensive lifestyle changes but increased in the comparison group. There was a direct correlation between the degree of lifestyle change and the changes in PSA. Also, they found that serum from the participants inhibited prostate tumor growth in vitro by 70 percent in the lifestyle-change group but only 9 percent in the comparison group. Again, there was a direct correlation between the degree of lifestyle change and the inhibition of prostate tumor growth.

Participants in the lifestyle-change group were placed on a vegan diet consisting primarily of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and legumes supplemented with soy, vitamins and minerals. They participated in moderate aerobic exercise, yoga/meditation, and a weekly support group session. A registered dietitian was available for consultation, and a nurse case manager contacted the participants once a week for the first three months and weekly thereafter.

EFA study in Vegetarians and Vegans

As a new study warns of Essential Fatty Acid (EFA) levels in vegetarians and vegans a London Nutritionist warns veggies to eat a balanced diet.

Yvonne Bishop-Weston BSc Dip ION MBANT, a London based Nutrition Consultant from Foods For Life says " The good news is that despite lower levels it doesn't seem to be a dangerous problem as long term vegans and vegetarians don't appear to be any more worse off than new converts"

"There is an issue here though , especially for those people planning children and for vegetarian mothers during pregnancy, birth and breast feeding"

"Vegetarians and vegans should ensure they eat EFA rich foodssuch as flax and hempseeds or take a algae based DHA supplement."

Long-chain n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids in plasma in British meat-eating, vegetarian, and vegan men -- Rosell et al. 82 (2): 327 -- American Journal of Clinical Nutrition: "Long-chain n3 polyunsaturated fatty acids in plasma in British meat-eating, vegetarian, and vegan men1,2,3
Magdalena S Rosell, Zoue Lloyd-Wright, Paul N Appleby, Thomas AB Sanders, Naomi E Allen and Timothy J Key
1 From the Cancer Research UK Epidemiology Unit, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom (MSR, PNA, NEA, and TJK), and the Nutrition, Food and Health Research Center, King's College London, London, United Kingdom (ZL-W and TABS)
Background: Plasma concentrations of long-chain n3 polyunsaturated fatty acids are lower in vegetarians and in vegans than in omnivores. No data are available on whether these concentrations differ between long- and short-term vegetarians and vegans.
Objectives: We compared plasma fatty acid composition in meat-eaters, vegetarians, and vegans and examined whether the proportions of eicosapentaenoic acid (20:5n3; EPA), docosapentaenoic acid (22:5n3; DPA), and docosahexaenoic acid (22:6n3; DHA) were related to the subjects' duration of adherence to their diets or to the proportions of plasma linoleic acid (18:2n6; LA) and -linolenic acid (18:3n-3; ALA).
Design: The present cross-sectional study included 196 meat-eating, 231 vegetarian, and 232 vegan men in the United Kingdom. Information on anthropometry, diet, and smoking habits was obtained through a questionnaire. Total fatty acid composition in plasma was measured.
Results: The proportions of plasma EPA and DHA were lower in the vegetarians and in the vegans than in the meat-eaters, whereas only small differences were seen for DPA. Plasma EPA, DPA, and DHA p"

Vegan Passport - Times Online

The world this week - News and Comment - Times Online - Vegan Passport: "Veggies to go
A different kind of passage- to-travel came out this week the latest, expanded, edition of the Vegan Societys Vegan Passport (£3.99). It lists the dishes that vegans can eat in most countries around the world (covering 56 languages), while warning of potential pitfalls. Honey, for example, is off the menu because it exploits another life form. Details: www.vegansociety.com. Buy Now "

Vegan Chocolate for Heart Health

Ivanhoe's Medical Breakthroughs - Chocolate for Your Health: "(Ivanhoe Newswire) -- According to a new study, a daily bar-sized indulgence of flavonol-rich dark chocolate could reduce blood pressure and improve insulin resistance.
'Previous studies suggest flavonoid-rich foods, including fruits, vegetables, tea, red wine and chocolate, might offer cardiovascular benefits,' says Jeffrey B. Blumberg, Ph.D, Senior Scientist at the Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research on Aging at Tufts University in Boston. 'But this in one of the first clinical trials to look specifically at dark chocolate's effect on lowering blood pressure among people with hypertension.'
Flavonoids are natural antioxidants found in many foods from plants.

Blumberg and colleagues at the University of L'Aquila in Italy studied 20 people with hypertension. a systolic blood pressure -- the top number in a blood pressure reading -- between 140 and 159 millimeters of mercury (mm Hg) and a diastolic blood pressure -- bottom number -- between 90 and 99. The participants were not taking antihypertensive medicines, did not have diabetes or any other diseases, and did not smoke.
Throughout the week before the study, participants avoided all chocolate and other flavonoid-rich foods. For the next 15 days, half ate a 3.5-ounce bar of flavonoid-rich dark chocolate daily, while the other half ate the same amount of white chocolate.

'White chocolate, which has no flavonoids, was the perfect control food because it contains all the other ingredients and calories found in dark chocolate,' Blumberg said.
Researchers found a 12 mm Hg decrease in systolic (the top number in a reading) blood pressure and a 9 mm Hg decrease in diastolic (the bottom number in a reading) blood pressure in the dark chocolate group after the 15-day study. They also founfound the dark chocolate group experienced a considerable decrease in several measures of insulin reduction. There were no changes recorded in the white chocolate group.

According to Blumberg, the results can generate recommendations that improve diets and help people control these risk factors. He adds flavoniod-rich foods should be included in a healthy diet, and dark chocolate can be a part of the effort, along with fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.

Submitted by Foods For Life

Vegan Easier Than Vegetarian says FSA

Natural Products Magazine: "FSA guidance tackles mistrust on use of vegan and vegetarian - July 13, 2005
The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has issued new draft guidance on the use of the terms vegetarian and vegan in food labelling.

The move is designed to address the problem of growing consumer distrust of the way the terms are used by food manufacturers. The FSA believes that the main reason for this distrust is the lack of a universally accepted definition of what constitutes a food that is suitable for a vegetarian or vegan diet.

The FSA says that it was relatively easy to reach agreement from stakeholders (manufacturers, vegetarian and vegan organisations, and religious groups) on use of the term vegan broadly, the exclusion of any foods made from, or with, animals or animal products. The term vegetarian was more difficult to define. The proposed criteria is to exclude products derived from the slaughter of animals or made with the use of such products, but to permit foods that are produced by, from, or with the use of live animals for example eggs or honey. "

Some people vegetarian for religious reasons don't consider eggs to be vegetarian.

A representative from The Young Indian Vegetarian Nitin Mehta conceded it may be easier and simpler for Indian vegetarians to look for products labelled as vegan.

Food Standards Agency * The Vegan Society * The Vegetarian Society * Independent help for manufacturers on Vegetarian and Vegan Labelling and Symbols for Packaging * Press Release - FDA on Vegetarian and Vegan Diets - Full Story Food Navigator - Pub Trade response

Vegan Shoes - Very In Vogue- Just the Very Donkeys'

Vegetarian Shoes: and Vegan Shoes - Very In Vogue- Just the Very Donkeys' - Vegan shoes have become just the very donkeys' (just the job) - as more and more women realise they don't have to squeeze their feet into part of a cow's bum or look like a geek if they don't.



UK stars of foot fashion are Beyond skin see Press-Beyond Skin: appearing in "Cosmopolitan - March 2005, In Style Magazine - February 2005, The Times Magazine - January 2005, Ergo - Winter 2004
Marie Claire - November 2004, Vogue - October 2004, Footwear Today - March 2004, Evening Standard - December 2003"

In California, USA the All Vegan shop sell Men's and women's shoes by BC Footwear, Earth Vegan, Ipath, Kenneth Cole Unlisted, Liz Claiborne, Miss Me, Palladium, Report, Seychelles, Shoes with Souls, Skechers, Splaff, T.U.K. , Vegetarian Shoes, Wanted, and many more, Garmont hiking boots, Spira running shoes, vegan "FUgg" (faux "Ugg") boots

Other sellers of Vegan Shoes include Alternative Outfitters , VeganLine , Vegan Essentials , Vegan Store USA, Bourgeois Boheme, Niketown ,Ethical wares, Moo Shoes , Vegan Wares (Australia), The Vegetarian Site , Vegan Mart, Vega-Life (Holland), Heartland , Birkensock , Chester Boots (Vegan DM's) , Freerangers (UK) , Veganstore , Greenshoes, Pennangalan , Vegan Unlimited, Animal Aid, Vegan Shoes (clogs - for gardening?), eco dragon, Stella McCartney, Asics and others



These are nice - I can't understand why you don't see more people wearing these - people would start flocking to be vegan if they new about these footwear fashion statements.

Vegan Cars - fuelled by chip fat and vegetable oil

Cruising in Vegetarian Cars with Biodiesel Biofuel | theledger.com: "Most of us drive vehicles with ravenous appetites for gasoline. Steve Morrison drives obliviously past gas stations in a car with an aroma that stimulates people's appetites.

'When I drive past my friends, they all tell me they get hungry,' the Lake Wales resident says. 'It has the smell of food cooking.'
Two homemade bumper stickers on Morrison's 1979 Mercedes 240D sedan hint at the reason. One proclaims, 'My Car Is A Vegetarian.' Another reads 'Your French Fries Give Me Gas.'

Morrison and a few friends in south Polk County have wedged themselves into a tiny niche of alternative fuels, running their cars on discarded vegetable oil previously used to fry fish, egg rolls and -- of course -- french fries in local restaurants. It's an experimental venture pitched well below the radar screen of any established fuel markets.

Morrison, 54, was driving a Toyota pickup truck until two years ago, when he became interested in 'biodiesel,'"

Greasal * Veg Powered Systems * GreaseCar * Willie Nelson's Biodiesal * Biodiesel America * Bio Diesel UK * History * Make your own Bio Fuel * Biofuel Oasis * Bio Fuel UK * BioFuel Coop * Brazil Leads the World

Co-op bans non vegan E Number

Great news and another reason to shop at Coop. Still not perfect but doing much more than many other supermarkets to make a difference. They also are the only supermarket to label their wine to show whether it is vegan or not.

Health, Healthy Eating and Nutrition News: "The following colours, all of which should be avoided according to the HACSG, have been removed from Co-op brand products:

E120 Cochineal, Carmines and Carminic Acid "

We're NOT Afraid

Following the Terrorists attacks on London a website called We're not afraid popped up with messages to Londoners from all over the world.

Here's our contribution.


A messsage for ALL terrorists who kill and maim innocent people. With Love to Londoners X

we're not afraid

Can Veganism Make Poverty History?

i-Newswire.com - Press Release And News Distribution - Can Veganism Make Poverty History?: The greatest danger to our world is apathy, the Governments of the world sit back and watch companies undermine the health of the nation, rape the planet and sell weapons of mass destruction to dictators because they think we don't care enough.

There's a good reason why the world is such a mess - we encourage companies to behave badly by buying their products, people can easily make a difference by voting with their shopping bill. Be choosy about who you give you money to.

Animal products cause unnecessary suffering to millions of animals, spread preventable diseases, cause havoc with the environment, waste precious resources such as food and water and burn up billions of dollars of Government subsidies - unlike delicious vegan products.

EVENTS - Vegan Festival in Scotland Saturday 16th July - Cruelty Free Scotland - Edinburgh 

Bird flu: Epidemic on the edge to spread to Humans.

Scotsman.com News - Top Stories - Bird flu: World is on the edge: "Dr Shigeru Omi, of the World Health Organisation, said at the opening of a three-day United Nations conference on bird flu that the virus has 'tightened its grip' on the region and is capable of springing major surprises.
Cases of human infection have been reported in Vietnam, with others likely in Cambodia and Indonesia, while fears are growing that infected migratory birds in China could spread the virus to India and Pakistan.
'We believe we are at the tipping point. Either we ... reverse this trend or things will get out of hand,' Dr Omi said. 'We must have an all-out war against this virus.'
The flu, which has killed 54 people in Asia, currently appears to spread to people only when they come into close contact with sick poultry.
But medical experts fear that the H5N1 bird flu strain could mutate into a form that easily passes between people and trigger a global pandemic because people have developed no resistance to the strain. "

More News - www.nature.com * BBC News * Yahoo News * WHO news Factsheet * US Workers' Guidance

The EnviroLink Network

The EnviroLink Network

As lethargy reigns during yet another UK awareness week – BUAV National Cruelty-Free Week, behind the scenes it seems the vegetarian nerds have been busy. No matter which subject you pick, health, nutrition, punks or chocolate, there seems to be a vegan website for everything – even vegan sex.

www.for-vegans.co.uk * www.heroes.for-vegans.co.uk * www.recipes.for-vegans.co.uk * www.news.for-vegans.co.uk

What is the Vegetarian Beef About World Hunger? - Vegetarian

What is the Vegetarian Beef About World Hunger? - Vegetarian: "Compare the following facts about food production:
It takes 23 gallons of water to produce a pound of tomatoes.
It takes 5,214 gallons of water to produce a pound of beef.

One acre of land can produce 20,000 pounds of potatoes.
One acre of land can produce 165 pounds of beef.

It takes 1 pound of grain to make 1 pound of bread.
It takes 20 pounds of grain to make 1 pound of beef."

Make Poverty History

Make Poverty History

Vegan Soya Milk Sales Rise

No wonder the $billion dairy industry has launched a Battle of Trafalgar style broadside against soya milk recently spending millions of dollars on PR. Fortunately the public is not that gullable.

Health trends drive soy milk craze: "Soy milk has been Western Europe's fastest growing dairy sector over the last six years, presenting new challenges to dairy firms via consumer health trends and new fears over lactose intolerance, reports Chris Mercer.

The value of Western Europes soy milk market has more than doubled to 375m (249.5m) between 1998 and 2004, thanks to consumer obsessions with health and wellness, according to a new report on the global dairy market from research group Euromonitor.
The report says soy milk has benefited from rising consumer awareness that soy is high in fibre, protein and minerals yet low in saturated fat and free of cholesterol.

Vegan Options More Popular Than Ever on College Campuses; ARAMARK Focuses on Meeting Customer Needs in Honor of Vegan World Day

Vegan Options More Popular Than Ever on College Campuses; ARAMARK Focuses on Meeting Customer Needs in Honor of Vegan World Day: "Vegan Options More Popular Than Ever on College Campuses; ARAMARK Focuses on Meeting Customer Needs in Honor of Vegan World Day "

PHILADELPHIA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 21, 2005--ARAMARK nationwide research has revealed that, out of more than 100,000 college students surveyed, nearly a quarter said finding vegan meals on campus -- which contain no meat, fish, poultry or other products derived from animals such as dairy, eggs or honey -- was important to them.

About ARAMARK

ARAMARK Corporation is a world leader in providing award-winning food and facilities management services to health care institutions, universities and school districts, stadiums and arenas, international and domestic corporations, as well as providing uniform and career apparel. ARAMARK was ranked number one in its industry in the 2005 FORTUNE 500 survey and was also named one of "America's Most Admired Companies" by FORTUNE magazine in 2005, consistently ranking since 1998 as one of the top three most admired companies in its industry as evaluated by peers. Headquartered in Philadelphia, ARAMARK has approximately 242,500 employees serving clients in 20 countries.

Aramark pleases everyone

Glastonbury Swaps Mud for Mayo for 2005

Free Vegan Recipes & New Product News - Healthy, Delicious & Nutritious: "Glastonbury revellers may be swimming in Egg Free, dairy free, vegan mayonnaise not mud" say Plamil, UK pioneers of plant milk products."

Adrian adds “One of our clients recommends it as emergency festival all over body sun-block too, but it’s not something we would recommend unless you have a good friend who’s keen to lick it all off “

“There’s a big demand for organic Dairy free, egg free, vegan and vegetarian food at these festival events. It makes no sense for caterers to have various brands when they can have gallons of one vegan one that pleases everyone” says catering consultant Tony Bishop-Weston from Foods For Life.

Last year Glastonbury was a mudbath. This year it's predicted to be mayo not mud.


Picture of muddy Glastonbury 2004 c/o BBC



Vegan Festival Mayo at Glastonbury

Vegan Statistics - research, studies, & data on veganism.

World Vegan Day - STATISTICS - Vegan and meat-free/meat reducer/dairy free markets: "One of the key facts that one should not loose sight of is the fact the the most important statistic is NOT the number of actual vegans.
The number of people prefering and buying vegan products is the ultimate factor in driving the vegan movement forward. The consumers who would just prefer to be kinder to health, people, animals and the environment are the people making new product development and investment in vegan products financially viable.

One of the wonderful advantages of healthy vegan food is that it can be equally enjoyed by a meat eater trying to cut down on cholesterol as someone with a dairy intolerance protecting themselves against osteoporosis - vegan food is not just for vegans.Ask any succesful veggie restaurant and they'll tell you 60 - 70% of their customers are omnivores enjoying veganics on a regular basis."

More Vegan statistics, research, data and studies. World Vegan Day Polls - The Vegan Society - The Vegetarian Society - Imaner Vegan Research