Considering switching to a vegan diet? Find out how your body will react to this decision to give up animal products completely.
You May Start to Experience Protein Deficiencies
Protein is essential to the growth and function of all body cells. By giving up meat, cheese, eggs and fish, you will have to be more careful in your diet to get enough protein from nuts, seeds, legumes and other foods.
Your Intestines Can Get Healthier
The main reason for this is because eating plant foods has a positive effect on your gut microflora, like playing at a live casino has a wonderful impact on your financial state. Increasing the amount of fiber in your diet benefits the beneficial bacteria that live in your gut. This will make a significant contribution to improving your health and well-being.
You Can Lose Some Weight
Veganism isn’t a weight loss diet. However, after switching to an entirely plant-based diet, you may notice that your clothes become a little looser. This will be because by eliminating fat-rich animal products from your menu, you will thereby reduce the caloric content of your diet, which will predictably lead to weight loss.
Your Heart Health Can Improve
By replacing animal products with grains and vegetable oil sources (seeds, nuts), you will increase your intake of vitamins, minerals and fiber, and reduce your intake of saturated fats. This can reduce the risks of a number of heart and vascular diseases.
You May Experience a Loss of Bone Mass
Vegan diets are associated with lower bone density due to insufficient intake of certain nutrients that are good for bones, which are mainly found in animal products. These include calcium, vitamin D, protein, vitamin B12, zinc, and some fatty acids. Low bone density can lead to osteoporosis, which increases the risk of fractures and back pain.
You May Be Deficient in Vitamin B12
Giving up animal products can lead to vitamin B12 deficiency, which is especially needed for red blood cell production and nervous system function. This vitamin is found in large amounts in meat and dairy products.
You May Develop an Omega 3 Deficiency
Giving up fish and seafood will cause you to lose valuable sources of omega-3 fatty acids, which reduce your risk of heart disease and are important for brain function. Unfortunately, plant foods containing these products (flax and walnuts) cannot make up for this deficiency.
You Can Reduce Your Risk of Developing Cancer
It’s known that reducing your intake of red (especially processed) meats and increasing your intake of plant foods can be an important factor in reducing your risk of cancer.
You May Be Deficient in Iron
Iron is a vital component of hemoglobin, the protein in red blood cells that allows them to transport oxygen throughout the body. Vegans are at particular risk for deficiency of this mineral due to limited choices of iron-rich nutritious foods. There are two types of iron, heme iron and nonheme iron. The former comes from animal sources and is easier for the body to absorb. Non-heme sources are usually vegetables and legumes, and iron absorption from them is less efficient.
You Will Be Deficient in Vitamin D
Vitamin D is an important fat-soluble vitamin that can be obtained both with food and from sunlight. It affects almost every cell in the body, helping with their functions. This vitamin plays an important role in bone health, mood formation, and even cancer prevention. It is found in large amounts in dairy products and many types of fish. Excluding these sources from your diet can lead to vitamin D deficiency.