Despite many years of research in the field of vegetarianism, such a diet still seems wrong and even harmful to many. Now is the time to break popular misconceptions about the dangers of vegetarianism and dispel the doubts of those who have just decided to become a vegan or vegetarian.
Myth 1: vegetarians don't get enough protein
Knowing about the division of a vegetarian diet into types, it is easy to understand that ovo- and lacto-vegetarians consume animal protein in the form of milk and eggs. Pescetarians also include fish in their diet. Vegans who eat only plant-based foods also do not go without protein. Legumes and grains contain the necessary amount of protein for normal growth and development of the body. According to Colin Campbell, professor of the Department of Food Biochemistry at Cornell University, and his followers, vegetable protein is not only more useful, but also not at all dangerous to the body, unlike an animal. You can read about this in his famous book "China Study".
Myth 2: a vegetarian diet lacks essential amino acids
The fact that plant foods contain all the essential amino acids has long been disputed. However, this is just another myth about vegetarianism. After all, from childhood we were taught that for health we need to drink milk and eat meat. To make your diet balanced, it is enough to include in the diet more vegetables, fruits, grains, legumes and nuts. Disputes about the lack of methionine in plant foods are resolved by the use of sesame seeds, Brazil nuts and cereals.
Myth 3: vegetarians are more prone to anemia due to vitamin B12 deficiency
In the beginning, it should be said that vitamin B12 is only a product of the synthesis of bacteria and it is not directly contained either in meat or in plant products. Ovo and lacto vegetarians get their vitamin B12 from dairy products and eggs. However, vegans should not resort to artificial supplements to avoid problems with hematopoiesis.
It was found that vitamin B12, like amino acids, is able to independently synthesize in the intestines with a healthy microflora due to symbionts such as E. coli. And for this, the body does not need to borrow protein from a chicken, cow or pig. That is why, when switching to strict vegetarianism, it is recommended to restore your microflora. According to Dr. Vivien V. Vetrano, B12 is also produced by bacteria in the mouth from coenzymes.
Vitamin synthesis is impossible without cobalt, which is found in wheat germ, bran, tea, cocoa, corn and buckwheat. Meat eaters are also not immune to B12 deficiency in disorders of the digestive system, gluten intolerance and Crohn's disease. It is worth noting that by mentioning meat as the only source of the vitamin, doctors forget about red grapes, pomegranates and beets, which also contain cobalamin, which provides B12 from cobalt.
Myth 4: vegetarians suffer from iron deficiency
Every doctor knows that such an important trace element as iron is found not only in meat products, but also in. However, for its assimilation it is necessary to include vitamin C in the diet. It is no secret that iron is not absorbed with tea, coffee and dairy products.
Myth 5: vegetarians are deficient in phosphorus
According to popular myth, fish is not the exclusive source of phosphorus. A trace element is found in eggs and milk, and for vegans, phosphorus is found in sufficient quantities. However, due to phytoestrogens, the latter product is not recommended to be consumed in large quantities. Therefore, vegetarians do not have problems with mental activity due to nutrition. To prove this, it is enough to find a complete list of scientists, doctors, writers, philosophers and engineers who have spent most of their lives on a vegetarian diet.
Myth 6: vegetarianism provokes vitamin D deficiency
It has been found that the level of vitamin D in the body is least of all determined by the type of human diet. And its synthesis directly depends on the amount of sunbathing.
Myth 7: vegetarianism leads to a lack of vitamin A
In addition to meat, eggs and milk, vitamin A or beta-carotene is found in green and orange vegetables and fruits. It is worth remembering that it will not be absorbed without foods containing fat. Therefore, you should definitely include any vegetable oil in your diet.
Myth 8: pregnant women and children must eat meat
From the myths refuted above, we can conclude that with the correct selection of products, all the necessary vitamins and trace elements will be present in the plant diet of even the most strict vegetarians. But the use of meat, eggs and milk (breast milk does not count) is not only unhealthy, but also extremely dangerous for the health of a growing body due to hormones and antibiotics that are used to pump animals. Doctor Herbert Shelton has repeatedly stated that it is not recommended to introduce meat products into the diet of children under 8 years of age due to the fact that their body is not yet able to neutralize toxins.
Myth 9: humans are predators and omnivores from birth
The natural human diet still causes a lot of controversy. However, the important point here is that even if a person is able to digest meat in a processed form, is it so necessary for life to justify his unethicality?
