Have you heard of strongman Joe Rollino age 104? A lifetime vegetarian died after being hit by a car while jogging. His story is one of many countless vegetarian health stories "the model of health" according to the article.
What is the proper intestinal flora and how to acheive it is a matter of learning. Vegetarian is very healthy if done properly, and raw is the only way animals eat their food in the wild. Humanity was not born to do cooking either.