Which deficiency symptoms can be caused by vegan nutrition?

Deficiency symptoms are caused with veganer nutrition above all there, where the body usually refers nutrients almost exclusively from animal products. Of the three main nutritional components (carbohydrates, fats, proteins), proteins are the most important. The human body uses mainly animal products (meat, eggs, milk, etc.)

for the supply of proteins. If these foods are not on the menu because of the vegan diet, one should take special care to eat protein-rich plants. In this way protein deficiency symptoms can be avoided.

Other deficiency symptoms are particularly noticeable with trace elements and vitamins. Typically humans, who nourish themselves vegan have an iron deficiency, as well as a lack of vitamin B12. The human body absorbs these substances particularly well from meat, but when digesting plants, not as much iron can get from the intestines into the bloodstream.These deficiency symptoms typically manifest themselves as anemia, which can manifest itself in symptoms such as increased fatigue, poor performance, increased shortness of breath during physical exertion, headaches.

Furthermore, sufficient calcium intake should be ensured. Calcium, which is mainly contained in dairy products, plays a role in signal transmission from nerve cells and is therefore also involved in muscle function (including heart muscle function). A deficiency can lead to, among other things, severe cardiac arrhythmia and kidney dysfunction. and vitamin B12 deficiency

Vegan nutrition during pregnancy

A vegan nutrition in the pregnancy is not recommended despite many fundamentally positive effects of the Veganismus on the health. The reason for this lies particularly in an insufficient supply of important trace elements and vitamins. Thus straight the iron, which can be taken up with vegane nutrition often in clearly too small quantities, is needed in the pregnancy increased.

The reason for this lies in an increased blood formation. By the vegan nutrition an iron deficiency is frequently released, which can cause anemic (by anaemia-conditioned) damage with the unborn child. Likewise, the vegan diet almost always results in a deficiency of vitamin B12.

This nutrient is also essential for blood formation and should therefore be taken in natural form (not in the form of food supplements) during pregnancy. Folic acid is also needed for blood formation during pregnancy. A lack of folic acid can lead to severe malformations of the central nervous system.

These missing foods can usually be ingested by vegans through dietary supplements. However, such preparations are not recommended during pregnancy. Most of the substances have not been tested explicitly for pregnant women, which is why no one can predict with absolute certainty how the food supplements may affect the unborn child. In addition, a “normal” diet consisting of animal and plant products usually leads to a more balanced metabolic balance in pregnant women. With supplementary vitamin and iron preparations, the required quantities of food are more difficult to adjust.