



They exist – mammoth vegan bodybuilders Imagine building massive muscles without taking any forbidden substances, and eating no animal protein. It is possible. At least, if bodybuilder Deavman, a moderator on vegan health and fitness forums, isn't kidding us. At ergo-log.com we were pleasantly surprised when we saw the photos of the 47 year-old Israeli ex-soldier. Deavman, who owns a small gym, built up most of his muscle as a vegan. He's not a bodybuilder or power lifter that built up his physique using anabolic steroids and meat and only recently changed to a vegan lifestyle. "I got most of my strength and size as a vegan and I'd like to say, because I was one", writes Deavman in a posting. "In fact, vegans are less sick, feel more energetic than meat eaters, so that leaves them more time for a consistent workout without too many muscle-eating breaks." Deavman is not alone. Vegetarian and vegan diets are becoming more popular in the bodybuilding world. An American vegan bodybuilder who is gaining fame is Kenneth Williams. Williams is the face of In Defense Of Animals, an American animal rights organisation, and he's vegan. The webmaster of veganmusclepower.com, Williams tells in an interview how he combines veganism with bodybuilding. Williams used to be a real meat lover. "My whole diet consisted of chicken, fish, steak and lots of dairy", he says. But three years ago he had "a moment". Williams got up in the middle of the night to eat protein. He put the chicken breasts on his plate and suddenly he saw "all the death and destruction around the world". Williams went back to bed and woke up a vegan. Going over to a vegan diet was difficult, says Williams. He lost weight, but eventually he worked how to get enough proteins out of plant products, for example from amaranth, a grain found in the Himalayas and Andes (in the Andes amaranth is called kiwicha). In the near future Williams may turn out to be a pioneer. The protein crisis is gaining ground. The production of animal protein is becoming more and more difficult. The public doesn’t notice this because of the web of subsidies that keeps prices low. But in the not-too distant future, when the exhausted ecosystem collapses under the weight of factory farming, prices of meat and dairy products will rise dramatically. Did you say kiwicha? Sources:

veganfitness.net Jan 28, 2008.

Marin Independent Journal 09/16/2006







