Are humans naturally herbivores?

[Guest guest]

Jack Norris " wrote: " I do not believe that humans are natural

herbivores and yet I have been a healthy vegan for 16 years...I think

humans are naturally omnivorous and without vitamin B12

supplementation, need some amount of animal products for optimal

health in order to provide B12. "

 

Mr. Norris' statements started me thinking about whether the need for

B12 is what distinguishes herbivores from omnivores. I wonder if the

other large herbivores (elephants, cows...) need B12, and if so,

where they get it. I always thought they got it from the soil on the

plants they eat, but I'm no expert on that.

 

Interesting argument on the other side, supporting the idea that

humans are naturally herbivores, is presented by Milton Mills, MD,

based on comparative anatomy. If interested, you can read his

conclusions at the following link:

 

http://www.vegsource.com/veg_faq/comparative.htm

 

(If you want some background on who Milton Mills is, here is a link

that gives some of his background:

http://www.pcrm.org/magazine/gm06winter/mills.html )

 

And, of course, whether or not we live as vegans does not necessarily

depend on anatomy or B12 requirements, but on many, many factors.

The most important to me - compassion.

 

Karen