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Is The Effectiveness Of Vegan Diet Proven?
Question: Is the effectiveness of vegan diet proven? Why does it exclude milk and dairy products? What benefits does an exclusive Vegan diet have?
Brief Answer:
Vegan diet are effective, but under controlled administration
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX,
Greetings..!!
Vegan diet is a very old phenomenon, but the terminology came into existence only during the early 40’s. True vegan diets not only exclude milk and other dairy products but all types of animal foods including honey and foods that are treated with animal products at any stage of their processing. Originally, people started following these diets for environmental, spiritual and ethical reasons. But today, apart from these basic ideologies, vegan lifestyle is followed for health reasons.
Vegan diets are high in fibre and contain less saturated fat and cholesterol. But unlike a wholesome vegetarian diet that includes milk and honey etc., the vegan diets lack some micro nutrients like Vitamins D and B-12, Calcium and omega 3 fatty acids. Long term deficiency of these nutrients reflects as poor health. This can become a matter of serious concern especially when the diets also lack sufficient iron and zinc. Which again is a common occurrence.
Vegans tend to be thinner with a healthy BMI and have reduced cholesterol and blood pressure risk. But if the diet is not supplemented with Vitamins D and B-12, iron, calcium, omega3 fatty acids and zinc, there is an increased risk of developing under nutrition and related health issues. The effectiveness of vegan diets lies in determination and clear understanding of body’s needs to create a balanced diet plan with required supplements.
Hope this helps, please feel free to ask further questions about this topic.
Meenakshi
Vegan diet are effective, but under controlled administration
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX,
Greetings..!!
Vegan diet is a very old phenomenon, but the terminology came into existence only during the early 40’s. True vegan diets not only exclude milk and other dairy products but all types of animal foods including honey and foods that are treated with animal products at any stage of their processing. Originally, people started following these diets for environmental, spiritual and ethical reasons. But today, apart from these basic ideologies, vegan lifestyle is followed for health reasons.
Vegan diets are high in fibre and contain less saturated fat and cholesterol. But unlike a wholesome vegetarian diet that includes milk and honey etc., the vegan diets lack some micro nutrients like Vitamins D and B-12, Calcium and omega 3 fatty acids. Long term deficiency of these nutrients reflects as poor health. This can become a matter of serious concern especially when the diets also lack sufficient iron and zinc. Which again is a common occurrence.
Vegans tend to be thinner with a healthy BMI and have reduced cholesterol and blood pressure risk. But if the diet is not supplemented with Vitamins D and B-12, iron, calcium, omega3 fatty acids and zinc, there is an increased risk of developing under nutrition and related health issues. The effectiveness of vegan diets lies in determination and clear understanding of body’s needs to create a balanced diet plan with required supplements.
Hope this helps, please feel free to ask further questions about this topic.
Meenakshi
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Shanthi.E
Answered by
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