Eating Vegan or Vegetarian Can Be Dangerous

Health Wellness

First, allow me to clarify the difference between a vegetarian and vegan.

A vegetarian does not eat meat, poultry or seafood. Some vegetarians still eat other animal-based foods such as eggs, milk, cheese, real butter, and cheese.

A vegan I once knew told me that vegans are hyper-vegetarians. Not only do they not eat meat, poultry, seafood, but they also do not consume anything made from or by animals. They don’t eat eggs, honey, cheese or any dairy product. True vegans won’t even wear or use anything made from animals (leather and wool) or anything that has been tested on animals in a lab.

That vegan acquaintance once talked me into eating a vegan burger, made from tofu. The bun was not made with any milk or butter and tasted like it. Of course, there was no cheese on the tofu burger. Personally, on a scale of 1 to 10, with 10 being great tasting, I give that vegan burger and bun a -5 at best.

That particular vegan told me the reason he chose that diet was because it matched the diet that God first gave man, before He allowed man to eat meat. He believed his diet was healthier than what most people eat and, in some ways, he may be right, but there are issues with this kind of diet, as there are with a vegetarian diet.

Many people believe that eating a vegetarian or vegan diet is healthier. Between 2014 and 2017, the number of vegans in the US has increased by 600%.

However, trying to survive on a purely plant-based diet has its downfall and that downfall can be dangerous and lead to severe health problems. It is estimated that about 7 million Americans are vegetarians and that number is growing every year.

Why is it dangerous or how can it cause severe health problems?

According to a recent report:

“Those who avoid animal food products often do not get enough B-12, the much-needed vitamin found in animal products that helps build red blood cells, repair DNA, and protect the brain.”

“That could be dangerous. Whether through more animal foods, including eggs and dairy, or a dietary supplement, Americans must ensure they get enough of this essential but scarce micronutrient.”

“Most vegans, those who don’t eat any animal products, and vegetarians, who don’t eat red meat, seafood, or poultry, are short on B-12. A study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found nine in 10 vegans had below-normal levels of B-12. Vegetarians fare a bit better thanks to dairy and eggs, but they also fall short — more than two in three are below normal in B-12. And about 55 percent of children on a vegetarian diet have inadequate B-12 levels, according to a study by researchers at East Carolina University.”

“As a physician scientist who has dedicated the past 50 years of my professional career to studying vitamin B-12, I know that a deficiency can have serious and sometimes devastating health repercussions. The symptoms start slowly, with indicators like fatigue, irritability and other mood changes, memory loss, and pale skin. But these symptoms can escalate to more serious issues such as vision loss and even psychosis, imbalance, and paralysis. B-12 deficiency is also known to raise the risk of developing depression, dementia, cardiovascular disease, stroke and even cancer.”

“Babies who don’t receive enough B-12 in the womb run the risk of developing dangerous defects – indeed, expectant mothers with B-12 deficiency are up to five times more likely to have a child with a potentially disabling or fatal birth defect, many of which involve the brain or spinal cord. A study just out from the Harvard School of Public Health reports that the children of women given B-12 supplements during pregnancy and in the weeks immediately after birth score higher on expressive language tests at age 2 ½.”

Before you make the jump to give up animal products and go vegetarian or vegan, you need to do some research and make yourself aware of the dangers involved without the proper supplements. If you are a vegetarian or vegan, be warned that you need to take vitamin B12. I highly advise you read the entire report by clicking here.

B-12 Diet Vegan Vegetarian

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