In Defense of Animals held our most recent monthly Carnivores Anonymous meeting on Monday, February 26 in Woodland Hills, Los Angeles, featuring vegan gastroenterologist Dr. Fredric Weiss. In this supportive environment, people who still consume animal products despite their ultimate wish to not do so have a safe space to confront their dependence on non-vegan foods and to learn more about the scientific reality that a plant-based diet is the healthiest diet one can choose — as far as preventing disease is concerned.

Dr. Marilyn Kroplick opened the meeting with a reading from the AA Big Book and the serenity prayer, which are the tradition for AA type meetings. Previous meetings covered different topics, and previously attendees were encouraged, in step one, to admit their powerlessness when it comes to avoiding all animal products. In step two, they were encouraged to believe in some greater power to help them overcome their need for animal products — whether it be religion based or anything that provides inspiration and strength. She went on to explain that this higher power is uniquely ours, and could even be the Carnivores Anonymous meetings themselves, where we listen to the stories of members, which builds up our own inner strength. No matter who or what you choose to be your personal higher power, it’s recommended that you keep a journal to track your progress and focus on one meal at a time.

We then welcomed gastroenterologist Dr. Fredric Weiss to the podium. Dr. Weiss discussed the severity of fatty liver disease and expressed his and his colleagues’ deep concern that non-alcoholic fatty liver disease will replace hepatitis and alcoholic fatty liver as the main cause of liver transplants in the near future. Fatty liver, like obesity and diabetes, is greatly affected by a poor lifestyle, lack of exercise, and a diet full of junk food and animal products. Dr. Weiss explained that diabetic medication often leads to weight gain, also causing fatty liver in the process. He told us that he completely eliminated his risk for diabetes by switching to a plant-based diet and strongly recommends it. He also recommended that people look to Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM) for further information. 

You can view the video from our meeting here. 

We invite you to join our next meeting featuring European animal rights activist of 13 years and International Animal Rights Conference organizer Fabienne Origer here.