Plant-based or vegan-diet believers see their diet as a lifestyle, and some take it as seriously, if not more so than a religion.
Around 84% of vegans eventually return to consuming animal products, as they realize the diet isn’t sustainable for their long-term health. faunalaytics.org
They talk themselves into believing it’s healthy, yet have no knowledge of what they are putting in their bodies and the effects it has.
The whole idea of veganism seems like it would work, but in my opinion, doesn’t work because it’s so far off from how human beings have evolved and what our bodies actually need. @carlyrosebergman
The truth is, consuming no animal products and instead, only simple carbohydrates like pasta and bread, carb-heavy legumes, toxic tofu, and plants heavy on ant-nutrients, makes you gain weight or look like a skeleton as you’re sick.
Aside from wanting to be part of the cycle of nature — a lot of vegan products have natural flavors, sugar alcohols, and gums…they’re in boxes and plastic, slapped up with a label saying ‘healthy, vegan, for the planet!’ @carlyrosebergman
Let’s look at the nutritional side of the vegan, plant-based diet
There are many health risks involved with the vegan diet, too many to write in one article, it needs a book for that. Here I’ll highlight and dispel the myth that veganism works and is healthy.
1. Legume protein sources can increase the risk of leaky gut
The major source of protein consumed on a vegan diet is legumes. Legumes are, however, very high in carbohydrates and anti-nutrients, including lectins and phytate, both of which can increase intestinal permeability, also called a leaky gut or celiac disease.
Animal protein sources do not contain anti-nutrients and are among the highest and most beneficial food sources in terms of nutrition for humans.
What does that minor fact tell you? A lot.
Stuffing yourself full of legumes daily, in the false belief that legumes are healthy, can lead to bloating, gut inflammation, and more, all of which are painful and can have further detrimental health effects.
2. Soy protein sources cause hormonal disruptions
The most common forms of soy consumed are highly processed, such as almond milk, tofu, and soy-based solid foods, marketed as “meat replacements.”
All processed soy foods are no better for the body than any other highly processed foods, such as potato chips, bread, candy, snacks, etc.
In addition, there’s the added risk of hormone interference because of the phytoestrogens found in all forms of soy. Soy is a contributor to the intake of the toxic metal cadmium in vegans and vegetarians.
Over 80% of soy-based products sold in the USA come from genetically modified soybeans.
Soybeans also contain phytic acid, which is an antinutrient, meaning it is the plant’s natural protective system that impedes the absorption of nutrients when consumed.
3. Risk of developing anemia
Due to the lack of heme iron in a vegan diet, vegans and vegetarians are at high risk of developing anemia. Iron-deficit anemia can lead to serious adverse health effects, besides fatigue.
This is especially the case for women considering pregnancy and is something you should research seriously and consult a doctor if you’re on a vegan diet.
Iron supplements are available, but these can also have unpleasant side effects such as constipation.
4. Increased risk of depression
The lack of omega-3 fatty acid intake from food such as fish, seafood, and fish oils on a vegan diet, but instead, the high intake of omega-6 fatty acids from nuts and seeds, causes vegans to be at a higher risk of depression.
There are other serious effects of low omega-3 fat levels, which can result in rough skin, rough scaly, and dermatitis.
Conversely, there’s plenty of evidence supporting a reduced risk of heart disease and stroke with higher Omega-3 levels.
5. Limited zinc absorption
The high levels of phytic acid in a vegan diet reduce the body’s ability to efficiently absorb zinc.
Low zinc levels mean a poor immune system and a higher risk of frequently falling ill.
6. Overconsumption of carbohydrates
The vegan diet lacks protein, which is mostly substituted by carb-high legumes and refined carbohydrates, including bread, crackers, and cookies.
The over-consumption of carbohydrates can further lead to non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and excessive levels of glucose in your bloodstream.
Overloading your system with carbs, which are broken down into glucose, will eventually lead to you exhausting your pancreas by constantly pumping insulin into your blood, leading to you becoming insulin resistant.
That eventually means diabetes.
Final Thoughts
As noted at the start, I haven’t listed all the negative side effects of veganism, as there are too many to mention here.
However, what I’ve laid out is clear and supported with links to scientific evidence.
All you need to do, for your own evidence, is spend time with some vegan friends and you’ll soon see how they look, and you’ll also get a sense of the decline in their health.
That’s particularly the case if you knew the person before they stopped consuming animal products.
The bottom-line truth is, that humans are meant to consume animals and animal products, just like many animals do too.
It’s called the Food Chain!
Rob
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