Teasing out motivations for vegan and vegetarian diets and their relationship to disordered eating

In her 2022 3MT presentation, Ms Courtney McLean explains

her research into measures of eating disorder for the dietary
choice of veganism and vegetarianism. See video (2:49 mins)

It has long been thought that vegetarianism and veganism are related to an increased risk of disordered eating due to overlapping similarities in dietary rules. But previous research does not necessarily support this idea. 

Furthermore, previous literature has suggested eating disorder tools may be picking up on normal vegetarian and vegan-motivating food behaviours. This could result in inaccurate estimates of eating disorder prevalence in these populations.

Ms Courtney McLean is a PhD student in Central Clinical School’s Department of Psychiatry, whose research is on whether measures of eating disorder psychopathology are appropriate for vegans.

Enzyme finding is good news for vegetarians with bowel disorder

Legumes, soy milk and nuts may be back on the menu for those
suffering from IBS, thanks to Monash University research.

by Anne Crawford

 A digestive enzyme supplement may hold the key to improving the symptoms suffered by patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) when they eat a carbohydrate commonly found in legumes, soy milk and nuts, according to Monash University research.

Researchers in the Central Clinical School’s Department of Gastroenterology have found that oral α-galactosidase co-ingested with foods high in galacto-oligosaccharides (GOS) helps reduce symptoms. IBS is a common functional gastrointestinal disorder affecting one in seven Australian adults, characterised by chronic and relapsing symptoms including lower abdominal pain and discomfort, bloating, wind, distension and altered bowel habits.