For the last three decades or so there has been a focus on healthier living which includes healthier ways of eating for the promotion of optimum health and prevention of heart disease, diabetes, stroke and cancer.
One of these ways has been to adopt a vegan diet lifestyle. And at the moment, veganism, a plant based diet, which avoids all meat and dairy, is having its time in the sun. In the United Kingdom (UK) alone there has been a 350% increase in the number of people who say they are vegan. Analysts believe that this motivation toward veganism is from concerns for animal welfare, the environment and religious reasons.
Veganism can have health benefits if it is well planned and consistently carrie out, researchers say. But for people who have had meat and dairy in their diet for most of their lives, beginning a vegan diet can have challenges as well as benefits and can lead to significant changes in their bodies.
For the first few weeks on a vegan diet, a person will notice an energy boost because of the lack of processed meats and the inclusion of fruits, vegetables and nuts which increases vitamin, mineral and fiber levels.
There is also a shift in bowel function to a more regular healthy pattern or there could be an increase in bloating, flatulence or loose stools. This is caused by the high fiber content in fruits and vegetables. This may calm down eventually as the diversity of the bacteria in the colon changes, which can be beneficial to the whole system.
In a few months some people will notice that their acne is clearing because of the increase in fruits and vegetables, but at the same time there could be a decrease in vitamin D levels because of the lack of meat, fish and dairy which are the key sources of it besides the sun.
Vitamin D is essential in keeping bones, teeth and muscles healthy and lower levels of it can lead to cancer, migraines, heart diseases and even depression. So it is important to take vitamin D supplements at this point.
Within several months the well balanced vegan diet has impressive benefits for heart health, strokes and reducing the risk for diabetes. But vitamin B12 stores may become depleted so supplements are necessary.
Calcium depletion may occur as the body will rob bones of calcium to be used in other parts of the body, making bones brittle. Consuming kale and broccoli will help as well as supplements.
Balance is the key to a vegan diet and with the right preparation it can be good for human health.