Veganism And Vegetarianism

Veganism and vegetarianism are becoming a growing trend; both are advertised in grocery stores through organic produce, in commercials for juicers, as well as from Physicians promoting more whole grains, fruits and vegetables. More people are opting for healthier lifestyles. Most choose a vegan lifestyle to avoid hormone-injected, antibiotics-induced, and genetically-modified food. A U.S. study in 2008 showed that 0.5 percent and 3.2 percent of the population follow a vegan or vegetarian diet, respectfully, with 10 percent following a vegetarian-inclined diet (“Vegetarianism in America,” n.d.). Research indicates many positive factors to eating a plant based diet including a reduced risk of Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) and type 2 diabetes (Barnard, Katcher, Jenkins, Cohen, &Turner-McGrievy, 2009). There are, however, a few possible negative side effects to these diets concerning inadequate vitamin and mineral intake, which could lead to deficiencies or possibly diseases.

Cardiovascular Disease

CVD prevails in America with 1 out of 4 deaths due to heart disease; that’s eighty million people living with at least 1 form of heart disease (“Heart Disease,” n.d.). Research has shown that eating a plant based diet can reduce the risk of CVD. A vegan lifestyle lowers the risk of cardiovascular disease with a decrease in weight, BMI, blood pressure, and total lipid levels.

Weight and BMI

A lower body weight is common among vegans and vegetarians. Vegetarians weigh between 2.9 and 18 kg less than omnivores (Berkow & Barnard, 2006). An unhealthy diet, consisting of fatty, sugary, highly processed foods, (all of which vegans avoid) with lack of physical activity is typically where developing risk factors for CVD starts. These tend to lead t...

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...t because the greater source comes from animal protein. However, it can be found within hempseed oil and flaxseed oil (Hood, 2008). These studies show that although a plant based diet can lead to deficiencies they can also be avoided with proper nutrition, supplements, and fortified foods

Conclusion

These diseases cost billions of dollars every year, and although many may be uncontrollable due to genetics or misfortune there are still many we can do something about. Consuming a plant based diet lowers ones risk of some serious diseases. By reducing risk factors and deficiencies, one can reduce the risk of a stroke, heart attack, renal failure, fractures, osteoporosis, and possibly more (O’Neill, 2010). Switching one’s diet will not prevent illnesses, but has proven great strides. A healthy diet along with exercise is to the key to prevention or changing your future.