At the outset of any discussion about veganism and the health benefits of a whole foods, plant-based diet, I feel compelled to declare an allegiance.  This is not said with intent to place labels or alienate anyone.  Rather, it’s an attempt to clarify my position because I find myself wearing two different hats when it comes to advocating for veganism and for a plant based diet. I came to veganism long after becoming a physician.  In fact, nothing I learned in my medical education ever discussed veganism or vegetarianism other than to warn us of the dangers that vegetarians can encounter if their diet is imbalanced.  To be fair, much has changed since then.  Today, medical schools are increasingly incorporating education about plant-based diets into their nutritional education curriculum.  I learned what I know about the healthful effects of a plant-based, whole foods diet after I made the decision to

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