The Health Problems of Vegetarians
December 4th, 2009 | by admin |
Health practitioners are becoming increasingly alarmed at the growing problem of vegetarians and vegans who practice a restricted diet only to end up with a spectrum of malnutrition disorders. Where are these cases coming from, and who is convincing these people to slowly starve themselves to death? And the answers we will explore here aren’t too cheery.
Vegetarianism is practiced by individuals for either its perceived health reasons or by some groups for religious reasons. Not all vegetarians have the same dietary requirements; some are people who have decided to give up eating some or all meat. A vegan is the strictest kind of vegetarian, a person who also abstains from eating all types of animal products including cheese, milk, and eggs. Some vegetarians will eat items such as fish and eggs, and others will eat some types of dairy products such as milk or cheese.
However, regardless of the various motivations and practices, psychology has a name for vegetarians. “Orthorexia Nervosa” is a fixation on keeping a “righteous” diet, and it was first diagnosed by Colorado physician Dr. Steven Bratman in 1997. The term is derived from the Greek root word “ortho”, meaning straight and correct, and refers to a psychological syndrome where the patient’s food choices grow progressively narrower over time under the illusion of keeping the peace with either nature or a deity. The restrictions grow progressively narrower, until the person is convinced that anything outside of the handful of food groups they will eat is either poisonous or a sin. Nothing is allowed inside the body of a devout vegan which might be interpreted as a toxin. A vegan diet is an attempt to gain control over at least one simple aspect of a person’s otherwise ordinary life, and in this way relates to bulimia and anorexia.
Like anorexia and bulimia, the disease of veganism is a perpetual cycle. The patient cuts half the food pyramid from their diet, starts to feel sluggish, then is told that the reason they feel down is because they have more toxins in their body and need to cut out even more food groups. For the religious motivation, the rational is likewise that they are feeling the symptoms of starvation because they are not spiritually pure enough, and the only cure for it is – guess what – to starve even more.
Unlike other psychological disorders, extreme veganism has its own organization spurring its – there is no other way to say it – cult members to greater and greater denial, and to recruit others to do likewise. Some members of PETA, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, for one, publishes and distributes a body of literature which ranges far afield of merely treating animals ethically, to encouraging the radical vegan lifestyle. These tracts find their way into the hands of a target demographic, young teens, some of whom are impressionable enough to take them too seriously.
As a disclaimer, this is not meant to point the finger at all animal rights groups, all animal rights causes, or even all of PETA. Nor is it a blanket condemnation of all religions that have laws governing diet. But the facts as previously stated are nevertheless taking place.
Only a few of the dietary necessities that vegetarians typically fail to fulfill:
* Zinc, which is an important element needed for healthy skin and a healthy immune system.
*Calcium, which of course is not only needed to keep our bones strong but it is also needed for functioning of the nerves and muscles, as well as helping our blood to clot properly.
* Vitamin D, which is essential for the absorption of calcium and phosphorous.
* Iron, a deficiency of which leads to anemia.
* Vitamin B-12, needed for blood formation and cell division within the body. A deficiency in this vitamin can cause severe and irreversible nerve damage.
* And of course, plain old protein is needed for the body to grow and repair itself.
This is not to say that studious supplementation and careful menu planning can not compensate for most of the gaps left by the extreme vegan diet. But as any medical professional knows, whether you’re talking about a vegan or a body-builder, the human body cannot survive indefinitely on protein powders, shakes, and pills. And the extreme vegans won’t even take to the protein powders (whey solids come from milk!), and are after all eventually mistrustful of the health and food industries in general.
The problem of extreme diet restrictions is one more challenge that the health profession faces. The real cure for this practice will be the eventual education of the public on proper nutrition. Unfortunately, given the past luck with convincing people that folk remedies and snake oil cures are quackery, the prospects don’t look good.
Josh Stone
http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/the-health-problems-of-vegetarians-138213.html
20 Responses to “The Health Problems of Vegetarians”
By Karla on Dec 4, 2009 | Reply
What are the common health problems that vegans/vegetarians suffer???
I know that a vegetarian/vegan is healthy just like any other person would be and we all are exposed to diseases no matter what we eat.. but if a person becomes a vegan/vegetarian and does not get the right nutrients what are the possible disorders/diseases he is going to get…like anemia, vitamin b12 deficiency . thanks
By gg on Dec 5, 2009 | Reply
Anemia. I was a veggie for 2 years, and had a lot of deficiencies. I started eating meat again, and life got back to normal.
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By xxxbatmanxxx on Dec 5, 2009 | Reply
stank butt syndrome
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By zara ahmed on Dec 5, 2009 | Reply
Vegetarianism is practiced by individuals for health reasons or by some groups for religious reasons. Vegetarians are people who have decided to give up eating some or all meat, or fleshy, foods. A vegan is a person who abstains from eating all types of animal products and is the strictest kind of vegetarian. Some vegetarians will eat items such as fish and eggs, and others will eat some types of dairy products such as milk or cheese.
It has been shown that vegetarians tend to suffer less from diseases such as cancer, heart disease, high blood pressure, obesity, and diet-related diabetes. In order to be as disease free as possible vegetarians incorporate a wide range of foods into their diet. By doing this they are getting all the essential nutrients they need to live. Vegetarians that aren’t careful to include a wide range of foods or supplements can suffer from deficiencies in zinc, calcium, Vitamin D, Iron, Vitamin B-12, and protein.
Zinc is a very important element needed for healthy skin and a healthy immune system. Zinc helps us to resist infection. If the amount of zinc is low in the body it can sometimes be very hard to raise through diet alone and supplements may be required. Zinc can be obtained from beans, nuts, seeds, green vegetables, and whole grain cereals.
Calcium, of course, is needed to keep our bones strong but it is also needed for good nerve and muscle function. Calcium also helps our blood to clot properly. Without enough calcium in our bodies we can suffer from Osteoporosis or nerve and muscle damage. Calcium can be obtained from dark leafy vegetables such as collard greens, turnip greens, kale, okra, mustard greens, or broccoli. Fortified products such as calcium fortified orange juice or calcium supplements can also provide our daily intake of calcium.
Just as important as calcium itself is Vitamin D which essential for the absorption of calcium and phosphorous. The best source of Vitamin D is sunlight but it can also be obtained from fish oils such as cod liver oil. Milk, cheese, and butter are also a great source of Vitamin D. For the vegetarian that doesn’t eat any meat product fortified foods or supplements can be used.
Iron deficiency anemia is common in children and younger women. Iron can be obtained by eating foods such as spinach, collard greens, lentils, dried beans, broccoli, and bok choy. It has been shown that eating iron rich foods in combination with Vitamin C rich foods will increase the absorption of iron into the body.
Vitamin B-12 is needed for blood formation and cell division within the body. Plant foods do not provide Vitamin B-12 which can be a problem for vegetarians. A deficiency in this vitamin can cause severe and irreversible nerve damage. Vitamin B-12 can be obtained from supplements or fortified foods such as soy milk and breakfast cereals.
Protein is needed for the body to grow and repair itself. Protein can be obtained from a number of sources in a vegetarian diet. Nuts, seeds, legumes, grains, and soy products all contain protein.
If you feel that your vegetarian diet is not meeting all of these needs you should consult your doctor or a registered dietitian for assistance.
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By nnmcfarland on Dec 5, 2009 | Reply
nothing.The only problem people have is when they have no idea what they’re doing about their vegan/vegitarian diet.Im a vegan and have no health problems beacuse i replace the protein some people get from meat from beans,peanut butter,and soy milk.So if you know what ur doing there should be no problems what so ever.
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experiance
By Kaitlin R on Dec 5, 2009 | Reply
they could easily die cuz they don’t get enough protein
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By ograynoldaz on Dec 5, 2009 | Reply
Grinding teeth (lack or iron)
muscle loss and under weight
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By Scocasso ! on Dec 5, 2009 | Reply
In general, none.
Vegan/vegetarian does not = healthy
Just as meat eater does not = healthy
Simple.
I’ve known people who’ve been vegans from birth and they are very healthy — they don’t even get colds. I know lots of life long vegans from India, as that is common there, and they don’t have any problems — it’s so common there that no one asks such questions. Vegetarianism is more common in India than meat eating. Are they popping vitamin pills etc. Vegan or vegetarian = no. It’s a tradition relating to Buddhism with is very old — so they figured this out long long ago. Only in America where there is very little history and very little common knowledge do people have to ask such questions. Same goes for Iran, China, Israel, and all those other vegetarian cultures.
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By art psycho on Dec 5, 2009 | Reply
It can make you neurotic and cause you to reply to simple questions with page long dissertations that have little to do with the requested information.
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By P V on Dec 5, 2009 | Reply
Vitamins D and B12, as well as protein and iron if he doesn’t eat dark green veggies.
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By alternativesouls on Dec 5, 2009 | Reply
there is scientfic research that those on a plant based diet usually live 15 years longer.
A vegetarian diet can be both healthy & unhealthy depending what you eat. Just cos its labeled as veggie dosent mean its good for you.
however many illnesses are helped by going veggie as the body is pretty good at healing itself if given the right foods
the more raw fruit n veg the better
Animal hormones are meant for animals and unfortunately farmed animals are given extra hormones to grow bigger plus there meat contains pesticides, herbicides, antibiotics, chemicals and more.
Its important to look at what you eat no matter who you are.
I do find new veggies make the mistake of upping their dairy intake when they cut out the meat. Dairy is one of the worst foods for causing allergies and health problems.
To get all of your vits & minerals its best to juice fruit in the AM & veg PM
get a good supplement like "essential source" from Dr Joe Esposito
always eat raw food with your meal & include a little hemp oil in your diet every day for your omega 3 & 6
for Vit B12 – yeast is good or better still try nutritional yeast flakes sprinkled on your salads, in soups or pizza
there are over 18 cultures on this planet who live on a 100% planet based diet, they get less than 0.5% of the cancers we do and live on average over 100 years
all our needs can be got from fruit & veg – thats how the animals get them
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http://www.drjoeespoitio.com
http://www.credence.org/
By nice guy on Dec 5, 2009 | Reply
Unlike vegetarians, health issues as a result of ones diet are prevalent amongst vegans. It has to do with the fact that vegans are so restrictive about what they eat that it makes it very difficult to obtain the optimal amount of nutrition on the vegan diet. Some of the major vegan health issues include premature hair loss, impotence/ED, impaired brain function, abnormally low hormone levels (particularly testosterone) calcium deficiency’s, and a host of other health maladies to numerous to mention in this post.
If you are considering becoming a Veggie, good for you. But I would recommend that you become a vegetarian and not a vegan if you want optimal health. A diversified healthy vegetarian diet can do wonders for your health.
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I am a vegetarian
By Prodigy556 on Dec 5, 2009 | Reply
Not eating the correct nutrients is going to cause the same health problems weather you eat meat or are vegetarian. Getting the proper nutrients is all about variety, and that is for any diet. If your a vegetarian and you don’t eat any whole grains/beans/etc, and just eat three or four different vegetables and potato chips then your diet is lacking. The same goes for if you eat meat and you don’t eat many fruits/veggies and eat mainly meat for ever meal.
Getting the right Nutrients:
The one thing to remember is that you needs to replace the nutrients you are no longer getting from meat with other food. Major concerns for most people are protein, iron and b12(although they shouldn’t be since they are easy to get).
Protein
The average person only needs about 50 grams of protein per day. Protein is in everything, just look at the side of boxes. In todays world it is very hard to be protein deficient if you are eating a wide variety.
High protein foods include:
soy milk, tofu, nuts(Almonds, Cashews, Filberts, Hemp Seeds, Peanuts, Pumpkin seeds, Sesame seeds, Sunflower seeds, Walnuts (black)), seeds, legumes(Garbanzo beans, Kidney beans, Lentils, Lima beans, Navy beans, Soybeans, Split peas), grains(Barley, Brown rice, Buckwheat, Millet, Oatmeal, Rye, Wheat germ, Wheat, hard red, Wild rice), vegetables(Artichokes, Beets, Broccoli, Brussels sprouts, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Cucumbers, Eggplant, Green peas, Green pepper, Kale, Lettuce, Mushrooms, Mustard green, Onions, Potatoes, Spinach, Tomatoes, Turnip greens, Watercress, Yams, Zucchini), fruits(Apple, Banana, Cantaloupe, Grape, Grapefruit, Honeydew melon, Orange, Papaya, Peach, Pear, Pineapple, Strawberry)
Iron
Like vitamin B-12, iron is a crucial component of red blood cells. Dried beans and peas, lentils, enriched cereals, whole-grain products, dark, leafy green vegetables, and dried fruit are good sources of iron. To help your body absorb non-animal sources of iron, eat foods rich in vitamin C — such as strawberries, citrus fruits, tomatoes, cabbage and broccoli — at the same time you consume iron-containing foods.
B12
Vitamin B-12. Your body needs vitamin B-12 to produce red blood cells and prevent anemia. This vitamin is found almost exclusively in animal products, including milk, eggs and cheese. Vegans can get vitamin B-12 from some enriched cereals, fortified soy products.
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By = ^_^ = on Dec 5, 2009 | Reply
Anemia and b12 defiency would be the only things. But most young women are anemic anyway, regardless of diet. B12 is easy to take a supplement for and your body can store it for years and years. I’d take either one over increased risk of cancer, heart diesease, stroke, intestinal disorders, and the rest of the laundry list of health problems people suffer from eating a typical western diet.
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By al l on Dec 5, 2009 | Reply
There are no specific disorders or health problems associated with being a vegan or vegetarian. Obviously we have a slight risk of the same health problems as meat eaters but with reduced risk. People will try to tell you that we don’t get enough B12 or Iron or protien but this is entirely false so long as you eat righ. Even meat eaters can suffer from these dificiencies. By the way don’t pay attention to Nice Guy. He poses as a doctor and gives people misinformed information about vegetarians and vegans because he has nothing better to do at work.
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By S. Lee on Dec 5, 2009 | Reply
The vegetarians faces many problems regarding the there health as compare to the non vegetarians because there are little lees nutrients are present in the vegetables as comaire to the non vegetarian food.
By Chertres on Dec 30, 2009 | Reply
I have been a vegetarian for 10 years. I have recently had extreme health problems, the doctors have thought up exteme diagnos’ and some that are easy fixes. The problem is nothing works to fix me. I have chronic stomach aches, anal/vaginal fissures, constant uti’s, periods are horrible. Out of all things, I was praying the other day in complete dissarray. God spoke to me in an odd way and said eat meat. So, I listened and today is the second day I am doing so. Do you think this can have an opposite effect on my body and just make all of my symptoms worse? Or do you think I’m looking at an improvement. I have tried every diet, lifestyle change and test, I feel pain and every test states I’m PERFECT. Any advise would be appreciated.
THANK YOU. Chertres Lamarche.
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