
Is Vegan Diet Really Healthy?

For the last couple of years, veganism remains at the height of every dietary debate. The “sustainability trend” is bringing about converts by the hundreds every passing day. While the intentions are pure, however, veganism can cause some long term damages to your health.
As the dietary approach garners popularity, many prominent experts continue voicing their concerns over the eradication of animal-based products in consumption practices.

Deposit Photos | Vegan burgers with beans and vegetables served with spinach
Who Are These Experts?
Back in 2017, Professor of Paediatric Nutrition, Dr. Mary Fewtrell, addressed the European Society for Paediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition with concerns over the repercussions a young infant may face if subjected to a purely vegan diet, which includes irreversible cognitive damage.
Two years later, Dr. Emma Derbyshire, a public health nutritionist, warned that a strictly vegan diet could become the cause of a choline crisis. Writing in the BMJ Nutrition, Prevention, and Health Journal, she highlighted the importance of omega-3 fatty acids, choline, and vitamin B-12 in key stages such as fetal development, brain development, and overall health. She warned that the health of the future generation is at terrible risk if such trends continue gaining popularity.

Unsplash
What Are The Risks?
As mentioned, eliminating animal-based products from the diet deprive the body of certain essential nutrients, which are as follows:
1. Essential Fatty Acids
The exclusion of certain acids that your body can’t produce itself, such as omega-3 fatty acids, leaves the brain vulnerable. A study consisting of 48000 individuals who were followed for 18 years found that chances of stroke increase by up to 20% when consuming a plant-based diet. Although a plant-based omega-3 exists, known as the ALA, it is pretty inefficient against the actual nutrient. For a deeper understanding, imagine a house with bricks to make up its walls. Now, replace those bricks with polystyrene. Does the job but, can it promise support through tough times? This is the main difference between omega-3 fatty acids and ALA.
2. Vitamin B-12
Experts reveal that Vitamin B-12 is an essential nutrient for brain health and nerve function. According to research carried out by dietitian Sophie Medlin, B-12 deficiency is a reality among 50% of vegans unless they opt for supplements.
The risk of deficiency is even more severe for infants and children, as it can cause seizures, developmental delay, brain atrophy, intellectual disability, and failure to thrive. Vitamin B-12 is another nutrient that the body cannot produce and is found in animal-based products such as poultry, fish, meat, dairy, eggs, and yeast.
Deficiency of other nutrients, such as amino acids, choline, Vitamin D, calcium, and iodine can also cause brain-related damages in an animal-product deprived body.
3. Iron
Lastly, iron is essential for healthy blood cells. Iron from animal products is much easier for the body to absorb than from plant products; therefore, a vegan body is severely iron-deficient. Young ones with an iron deficiency, especially, face a harder time learning as their blood cells are unable to produce energy.

Deposit Photos | A balanced diet is essential to a healthy body and brain
Bottom Line
People world over are charging headfirst into veganism, with an intention to save the earth but, without realizing the consequences and understanding the implications with such a severe diet change. If you’re a vegan or are thinking of switching diets, be sure to consult an expert on how you can meet daily nutrient requirements without animal products.
More inHealthy Trends
-
`
Here’s How You Can Protect Yourself From New Coronavirus Variants
With new coronavirus variants making rounds to find their targets, it is time to reinforce the precautions that have kept millions...
February 4, 2021 -
`
COVID-19 Vaccine Has Left Pregnant Women in a Dilemma!
We’ve all waited for quite a long time to develop the COVID-19 vaccine, isn’t it? But now, when it has begun...
February 3, 2021 -
`
Awesome Tips to Cut Back on Sugar We Can All Benefit From
One of the most horrible things you can do to yourself is to eat too much sugar. It contributes to obesity...
January 29, 2021 -
`
Symptoms That Indicate You’re Suffering From High Stress
Stress is inevitable. It catches up to the best of us sooner or later, and that’s why it’s crucial that we...
January 28, 2021 -
`
Let’s Look at President Biden’s Newly Issued Mask Mandate
After taking over the Oval Office, President Biden was locked and loaded to kick his predecessor’s ill-advised policies out of America’s...
January 28, 2021 -
`
We Bet You Had No Idea What This Element Does To Your Brain!
Colorfully glazed doughnuts, hot and creamy sweetened latte drinks, the best variety of chocolates in the world – all these thoughts...
January 28, 2021 -
`
Reversing the Signs of Aging With the Right Diet
Aging is an undeniable reality of life. You cannot escape the turning of the calendar, year after year, as it premonitions...
January 27, 2021 -
`
Quick Glance at How an Avocado a Day Can Keep Your Gut Healthy
When thinking of healthy food, our minds first go to the stuff that helps control cholesterol, enhance heart health, and lower...
January 27, 2021 -
`
People With Serious Allergies Warned Not to Take Pfizer Covid-19 Vaccine. Here’s Why
Ever since the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) gave emergency authorization to the Coronavirus vaccine developed by Germany’s BioNTech...
January 25, 2021
You must be logged in to post a comment Login