Sir, There are millions of vegetarians and vegan adults and children worldwide whose healthy lives gainsay Professor Lindsay Allen’s claims that such diets can be harmful (report, February 22).
Indeed, the World Health Organisation, the American Dietetic Association and the British Medical Association have long accepted that animal-free diets can be healthy.
Meat and dairy products have been linked with numerous health problems, including early-onset diabetes, allergies and digestive problems as well as coronary artery disease and stroke, type 2 diabetes and some cancers.

Diets rich in animal protein and salt contribute to decreased calcium absorption in the body, linking them to osteoporosis.

Animal products contain cholesterol and saturated fat, both contributory factors to ill-health. Few young people eat the recommended five daily portions of fruit and vegetables. Surely, with the rise in obesity in the UK population, we should be encouraging our children’s consumption of healthy foods.

Yours sincerely,
LYNDA KORIMBOCCUS,
(Campaigns manager),
Advocates for Animals,
10 Queensferry Street,
Edinburgh EH2 4PG.