Sure, any increase in a risk of cancer isn’t good. The scientists pulled from a pool of 18 people (seven men, six children, and five women), and found that milk reduced testosterone secretions—not overall testosterone—temporarily. The Game Changers does an incredible job of pulling in high-performing athletes who have made a switch to a plant-based diet and excelled. In the film, Wilks shows two experiments. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site. This may be because there’s little evidence to support the notion that vegan diets are superior for physical performance. In fact, we love them. Except that the scientific understanding of these compounds is far less studied than The Game Changers leads the viewer to believe. A … To meet iron needs, vegans should eat plenty of lentils or leafy green vegetables. It is actually more of a demonstration of how diet affects erections. This is a fair point—the meat industry does fund scientific research—except that Wilks goes on to cattle-prod himself in the forehead. He proves this by showing us some silly ‘findings’ of dietary research of the same quality Game Changers uses in this section. Numerous times throughout the documentary, The Game Changers bombards you with the scientific terms TMAO, hetereocyclic amines, heme iron, neu5gc (a doozy! All Protein Originates in Plants. "The Game Changers" and "Super Size Me 2" are probably the two best and most important movies about food that you will see this year. It’s easy to pick studies arguing for and against this, but what does the totality of evidence say? [“I see the problem with plant-based diets as one of false assumptions,” says Mike Rousell, Ph.D., author of The MetaShred Diet. Although it’s come under heavy criticism, the film gets a few things right. Despite some accuracies, “The Game Changers” has several important limitations that call into question its credibility. Gladiator Bone – Source: The Game Changers The study suggests that the gladiators ate what was most available to them, which makes sense. The amount of data is daunting, with the implication being: Look at all the science! Neither did Forks Over Knives, or Impossible Burgers, or fake chicken at KFC. The Game Changers does a great job of presenting a counter-argument to the meat-centric narrative and science that has been primarily funded by an industry looking after its interests for years. James Wilks, who wrote and produced the movie with Joseph Pace, tackled various comments about the film – which is directed by Oscar-winner Louie Psihoyos and executive produced by Oscar-winner James Cameron – during an exclusive interview with Plant Based News founder Klaus … The film, produced by James Cameron, argues that eating any animal products—including meat, fish, eggs, and dairy—can hinder athletic performance, wreak havoc on your heart, impair sexual function, and lead to an early death. Additionally, humans can function in ketosis — a metabolic state in which your body burns fat instead of carbs — when carb-rich plant foods aren’t available. Furthermore, they emphasize whole, natural foods like unprocessed meats, fruits, vegetables, starches, and whole grains. All rights reserved. Game Changers is a 2018 documentary produced by James Cameron, Jackie Chan and Arnold Schwarzenegger that … Most healthy diets provide adequate amounts of protein, whether from animal or plant sources. “Vegan Badass” proclaims the T-shirt of one of the interview subjects in Louie Psihoyos ’s flashy, pumped-up documentary “ The Game Changers,” and perhaps that would have been a … This includes solid answers to the classic protein question. Elsewhere in The Game Changers, Wilks name-checks studies that feature small sample sizes and then extrapolates broad generalizations. A low protein, plant-based diet may also be beneficial for people with chronic kidney disease (34, 35). The myth that you need animal protein has been debunked, and the film explains that all protein comes from plants – vegans just cut the middle man (or ‘middle cow’). “The Game Changers” repeatedly discusses the beneficial effects of the vegan diet on cholesterol levels and heart health. Many people are choosing to reduce or eliminate the number of animal products they consume. Here is a detailed beginner's guide to going vegan. This full-length movie is available for rent or purchase.. FROM $3.99. Additionally, vast regional variations exist in healthy diets, both modern and historical. Plant Protein is As Effective for Building Muscle as Animal Protein. Kresser described The Game Changers as being "full of misleading statements, half-truths, flat-out falsehoods, flawed logic, and absurdities." Wrong. Here are 6 science-based health benefits you may experience by eating vegan. This is the choice that qualified and experienced registered dietitians (of which none are featured in The Game Changers, by the way) urge their clients, professional athletes and regular people alike, to adopt. But diet is only one component of a larger concept of what it means to be a healthy person, whether you're an athlete or not. The idea behind this claim … This is a review by an actual nutrition expert, registered dietitian Megan Ware. “The Game Changers” also asserts that plant-based diets are anti-inflammatory, especially when compared with omnivorous diets — going so far as to contend that meats widely considered healthy, such as chicken and fish, are inflammatory. 'The Game Changers' is heavy on the plants, but light on scientific context. The criticisms lobbied against it are mostly from personalities and entities who resist being told that their diet or eating habits might be harmful to them or the world around them. Posted on October 14, 2019 October 14, 2019 by Cathy C Posted in Education, Optimal Diet, The Game Changers Post navigation. The Game Changers filmmakers defend criticisms. But instead, the debate ended up being a lot more about appeals to authority and semantics, and e… "What The Game Changers fails to mention is that though hetereocyclic amines seem to cause cancer, and the overall risk may be small, you can mitigate potential damage by marinating your meat with spices and acidic marinades (such as yogurt or vinegar-based marinades)," St. Pierre says. goes on to cattle-prod himself in the forehead. The film also states that humans don’t have teeth or digestive tracts suitable for eating meat, and that all people have historically eaten a primarily plant-based diet. So, going into the debate, I’d hoped that it would be more about the science underpinning the film. In reality, humans have long hunted animals and eaten their meat (19). However, the film wrongly suggests that red meat causes cancer. The Game Changers Debate with James Wilks. Vegan diets appear to have heart health and anticancer benefits compared with omnivorous diets, and diligent planning can ensure you’re getting adequate protein and essential nutrients. Although the film cites a lot of research, it completely ignores studies on the benefits of animal products. Throughout the film, Wilks cites scientific research, interviews numerous medical doctors, and features a number of vegan and vegetarian athletes (although those words, “vegan” and “vegetarian” are rarely uttered). This is in line with claims made in “The Game Changers” (5). This claim is flatly false. “The Game Changers” may be thought-provoking, but veganism is far from the only healthy diet. As they’re still growing, infants, children, and adolescents have increased needs for several nutrients that may be difficult to obtain on a vegan diet (32). Pierre., M.S., R.D., C.S.C.S., Director of Performance Nutrition at Precision Nutrition, a nutrition coaching company that has worked with the San Antonio Spurs, the Carolina Panthers, and thousands of non-athlete clients. “In fact, eating 50 grams of processed meat daily (about one hot dog) increases the risk of developing colorectal cancer by 17 percent. The first experiment features preventive cardiologist Robert Vogel, M.D., administering a blood test to three athletes after they've eaten burritos with animal proteins compared to after they've eaten burritos with plant protein. Properly planned vegan diets can also provide sufficient quantities of nutrients like vitamin B12 and iron, which can sometimes be difficult to obtain when you don’t eat animal products (2). Long-term human studies indicate that vegan diets may decrease your risk of any type of cancer by 15%. Studies flash upon the screen at a wild rate—sometimes three or four in a row. 2020 Was Hell. It also offers a wide-ranging, surface-level look at some major areas of research regarding the potential advantages of the vegan diet. But it’s not as bad as disinformation efforts can make it seem. You Deserve a Seafood Tower. Sounds scary. “The Game Changers” has several notable drawbacks, including a strong pro-vegan bias and reliance on small, unscientific studies. In this documentary the benefits of eating plant-based foods are highlighted as well as the dangers of eating meat. What’s the Difference Between a Plant-Based and Vegan Diet. However, while the vegan diet is associated with lower total and LDL (bad) cholesterol, it’s also tied to lower HDL (good) cholesterol — and doesn’t appear to affect triglyceride levels (10). By Philip Ellis @lightningwilks, one of the producers of “the game changers” came on to challenge some of the criticism that Chris Kresser presented about the movie, and to say he did well would be a tremendous understatement. In general, it’s not really necessary to know who’s backing the latest rom-com. "And by eating your meat with fruits and vegetables, all of which can significantly reduce your risk of HCAs.”. In particular, you should be sure you’re getting enough protein, omega-3 fats, and vitamins B12, D, and K2, among other nutrients. However, the science is not quite as black and white as the film makes it appear, and some contentions in the film are simply not true. The problem is that the study findings are often twisted and presented to the viewer without giving them a full understanding of the research. Last medically reviewed on March 27, 2020. Although soy-based, vegetarian baby formulas are available in the United States, relatively few vegan formulas are. By over-valuing one nutrient (antioxidants in iceberg lettuce), you devalue the host of beneficial nutrients in the other (heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids in salmon, brain-aiding choline in eggs—just to name two). Healthy diets can be plant-based or include animal foods. One of the studies The Game Changers cites repeatedly throughout the film is “Hass Avocado Modulates Postprandial Vascular Reactivity and Postprandial Inflammatory Responses To a Hamburger Meal In Healthy Volunteers.”, Wilks uses this study to support his argument that meat impairs blood flow and increases inflammation. For instance, the Maasai people of Tanzania and Kenya, who are hunter-gatherers, eat a diet that’s nearly exclusively animal-based and high in saturated fat (20). We may earn a commission through links on our site. And we want to reinforce that we absolutely, and in no way, possess any animosity toward vegans. Nutrients of concern include: A robust and structured vegan diet is a fine option for healthy adults. But what do the experts think? Many vegans without access to these resources struggle to get enough protein, vitamin B12, and other nutrients (2). The Game Changers makes athletic performance all about diet. That is a false dichotomy,” says St. Pierre. The debate continues! While a vegan diet may provide several health benefits, the film tends to overstate these claims while ignoring research on other eating patterns. Although parts of the film are credible, it has been criticized for cherry-picking data to suit its agenda, making broad generalizations from small or weak studies, and being one-sided toward veganism. Except that The Game Changers presents only one side of the facts, often via controversial sources, grand extrapolations from small studies, and statements that are flat-out misleading. Here, again, Wilks presents claims that these compounds, unique to animal products, increase the risk of inflammation, which can lead to a host of nasty diseases, particularly cancer. While a vegan diet may decrease your risk of certain cancers, cancer development is a multifaceted issue that requires further study. This fact indicates that the human body does not solely favor a vegan diet (22). You may be able to find more information about this and similar content at piano.io, 6 Cheap Champagnes Worthy of Sending Off 2020, This Bodybuilder Got Shredded Eating 2 Meals a Day, 5 Bottles That Will Change Your Mind About Sake, 10 Post-Workout Foods To Help You Recover Faster, The Best Meal Replacement Bars and Shakes, What Happened When a Dietitian Tried Daily Harvest, Allow Chef José Andrés Be Your Light in Dark Times, 7 Keto Dieting Apps to Help You Lose Weight. Vegans, you’re gonna LOVE this one! This article explains how to eat healthy. The Game Changers is a pro-vegan documentary produced by James Cameron and Arnold Schwarzenegger. Despite “The Game Changers” enthusiastically endorsing the vegan diet, especially for athletes, it may not be right for everyone. It also overstates the significance of small, observational studies. Recently, the Annals of Internal Medicine published what’s currently arguably the most comprehensive review on the health effects of red meat. Game Changers. With this … Furthermore, evidence suggests that plant-based or vegetarian diets can be therapeutic for certain conditions, such as fibromyalgia. “The Game Changers” makes numerous claims and references several studies. And The Game Changers is filled with research. And then teach them to eat higher-quality meat options. In one instance where Wilks does cite actual peer-reviewed research, he narrates: “And when it comes to gaining strength and muscle mass, research comparing plant and animal protein has shown that as long as the proper amount of aminos acids are consumed the source is irrelevant.”, What Wilks doesn’t call out is that the same study states this: “as a group, vegetarians have lower mean muscle creatine concentrations than do omnivores, and this may affect supramaximal exercise performance.”. Back in the 2000s, a few small studies and rodent research suggested that the phytoestrogens in soy products could disrupt hormones. “Such a link has never been substantiated in human studies,” says Qi Sun, M.D., assistant professor in the Department of Nutrition at Harvard University. It’s a statement that is so face-smackingly stupid, and it typifies the dangers of either/or eating. The most glaring instance of this is when Wilks claims that cow’s milk can increase estrogen and lower testosterone in men. Here are 7 supplements that you may need on a vegan diet. “I don’t think this is a concern at all,” Sun says. The last few weeks I have been bombarded with questions about the documentary Game Changers. Ancient gladiators were vegan therefore it’s optimal for performance. James Loomis, M.D., former team physician for the St. Louis Rams and St. Louis Cardinals, who appears in The Game Changers, has written a rebuttal to this piece. Director of Performance Nutrition at Precision Nutrition, This is a choice of inclusion, rather than exclusion, The President Is Wrong About 3 Coronavirus Claims, NEW GRILLING STUDY: Why Marinating Meat is Good for You, When to Say 'I Love You' in a Relationship. Finally, the film’s focus on elite athletes presents some issues. The Game Changers follows James Wilks, a combative instructor for the U.S. military and a former UFC fighter, as he converts to a vegan diet while sports stars, celebrities, doctors, and medical experts weigh in. This whole section of the film … There's a progression, and a happy middle ground for most.”. Eating healthy can help you lose weight, have more energy and prevent many diseases. Curry recounts a visit to the Medical University of Vienna where he held a gladiator skull and remarks upon how gladiators ate “a vegetarian diet rich in carbohydrates, with the occasional calcium supplement.”, There does exist research on gladiators following non-meat diets, some of which is later cited in the film, but Wilks still calls a narrative a “study” when it is not a study.*. “People go on a plant-based diet, get healthy, and say ‘Oh, it was the chicken and meat that was slowing me down.’ They don’t pay attention to the lack of vegetables they were consuming previously.”], How We Know the New COVID Vaccines Are Safe, Check Out This Discount on Hydrow's Rowing Machine, These 14 HIIT Workouts Will Make You Ditch Cardio. Elite Athletes Are Going Vegan. All protein originates in plants. After all, genetics are responsible for 10–20% … And a new documentary called The Game Changers is pushing the “plant-based” lifestyle even further. Here’s what the research says. As long as it’s balanced, a vegan diet is acceptable for older adults. They also curb highly processed foods and drinks, including soda, fast food, and junk food (36). Our website services, content, and products are for informational purposes only. “The Game Changers” not only vilifies red and processed meats but also claims that animal proteins like chicken, fish, and eggs are equally bad for your health. Although vegan diets may decrease your risk of certain types of cancer, most of the claims in “The Game Changers” are misleading or don’t stand up to scientific scrutiny. This content is created and maintained by a third party, and imported onto this page to help users provide their email addresses. However, when it comes to a documentary that’s suggesting major lifestyle changes, it may be worth a look. 'The Game Changers': Film Review | Sundance 2018. Maybe even to consider swapping some meat for a plant-based protein (such as tempeh, tofu, or seitan). It is very important to eat nutritious foods on a vegan diet. Yet, when studies investigate red meat alone, the association with these cancers disappears (17, 18). After review, we decided to remove the short section provided by Mike Roussell (you can read the original text below), due to his connections to the beef industry. “The Game Changers” is a pro-vegan documentary that follows the journey of several elite vegan athletes as they train, prepare for, and compete in major events. This content is imported from {embed-name}. The producer of smash hit documentary The Game Changers has debunked some of the criticisms of his film. “We’re not trying to tell people to go vegan. Men's Health participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means we may get paid commissions on editorially chosen products purchased through our links to retailer sites. While vegan diets can be healthy and beneficial, a large body of evidence supports the health benefits of vegetarian diets, which don’t restrict all animal products, as well as omnivorous diets (8, 9). This is the choice that has vast and well-established scientific benefits. The documentary promotes a plant-based diet for athletic performance received rave reviews and has been the most successful documentary of all time on iTunes. As long as you optimize your hydration, electrolytes, and nutrient intake, plant-based and omnivorous diets appear to be on equal footing when it comes to exercise performance (23, 24, 25). However, this increased risk is relative,” St. Pierre says. T good claims that cow ’ s suggesting major lifestyle changes, it ’ s the! Studies and rodent research suggested that the phytoestrogens in soy products could disrupt hormones 19 ) studied! 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