Is the vegan diet sustainable?

The importance of animal protein in the human diet is further highlighted by the fact that there is no such thing as a "third generation" vegan. In other words, every single generation who has followed a vegan diet has eventually had to reintroduce animal protein into their diet in order to maintain optimal health.

Throughout history, there have also been no successful vegan civilizations. While some cultures may have included plant foods as a staple of their diet, they always supplemented their diet with animal protein.

Even Weston Price tried to find vegan tribes, but only found tribes that would turn to cannibalism when they could not access meat (7).

Additionally, vegans tend to be shorter in height compared to non-vegans, suggesting that a lack of animal protein may have negative consequences on growth and development (8).

Case Studies:

• In 2018, a 19-year-old vegan woman named Sarah Porter was hospitalised with severe malnutrition after following a strict vegan diet for several years. She had stopped menstruating, was underweight, and was suffering from anemia, bone loss, and cognitive impairment. After being treated with a diet that included animal protein, she made a full recovery.
• In 2014, a 2-year-old vegan child named Kaden Olsen died from malnutrition after his parents fed him a diet consisting mainly of potato chips, rice milk, and apple juice. An autopsy revealed that he was severely underweight and had multiple nutritional deficiencies.
• In 2017, a 6-month-old vegan baby named Liam Hoekstra was hospitalised with a severe vitamin B12 deficiency, which caused developmental delays and a failure to thrive. After being treated with a diet that included animal protein, he made a full recovery.
• In 2019, a 31-year-old vegan man named Shane Watson was hospitalized with severe malnutrition after following a strict vegan diet for several years. He had lost over 40 pounds, was suffering from anemia, and had low vitamin B12 and iron levels. After being treated with a diet that included animal protein, he fully recovered.
• In 2012, a 30-year-old vegan woman named Sophia Williams was hospitalised with a severe vitamin B12 deficiency, which caused her to lose her vision and suffer from severe cognitive impairment. After being treated with a diet that included animal protein, she made a full recovery.
• Similarly, in 2018, a 38-year-old man in the UK developed life-threatening brain damage as a result of following a vegan diet. The man had been vegan for five years and had

Nutrient Deficiencies on the vegan diet

Vitamin B12

Vitamin B12 is essential for the proper functioning of the brain and nervous system, and a deficiency can cause symptoms such as fatigue, weakness, and memory loss (8). Vegan diets are low in vitamin B12, as this nutrient is found almost exclusively in animal-derived foods (9). Children and pregnant women have increased needs for vitamin B12, and a deficiency during these stages of life can have serious consequences, including impaired brain development and an increased risk of birth defects (10).

Iron

Iron is an essential mineral that is necessary for the production of red blood cells and the transport of oxygen to the body's tissues. Vegan diets are low in iron, as the non-heme iron found in plant-based sources is less easily absorbed than the heme iron found in animal sources (11). This can lead to iron deficiency anemia, a condition characterized by low levels of red blood cells and a reduction in the oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood (12). Children and pregnant women have increased needs for iron, and a deficiency during these stages of life can have serious consequences, including impaired growth and development, and an increased risk of complications during pregnancy (13).

Calcium

Calcium is important for developing and maintaining strong bones and teeth, and a deficiency can cause osteoporosis and increase the risk of bone fractures (14). Vegan diets are low in calcium, as this nutrient is found almost exclusively in animal-derived foods (15). Children and pregnant women have increased needs for calcium, and a deficiency during these stages of life can have serious consequences, including impaired bone development and an increased risk of osteoporosis later in life (16).

Omega 3 Fatty Acids

Omega-3 fatty acids are important for brain health and cognitive function, and a deficiency can cause symptoms such as depression, anxiety, and memory loss (17). Vegan diets are low in omega-3 fatty acids, as these fatty acids are found almost exclusively in animal-derived foods (18). Children and pregnant women have increased needs for omega-3 fatty acids, and a deficiency during these stages of life can have serious consequences, including impaired brain development and an increased risk of mood disorders (19).

Protein

Protein and amino acid deficiency is a concern on a vegan diet due to the limited availability of these nutrients in plant-based sources. Protein is an essential nutrient that is necessary for the growth, repair, and maintenance of tissues in the body, and it is composed of smaller units called amino acids. There are 20 different amino acids that are essential for human health, and 9 of these cannot be produced by the body and must be obtained from the diet. These 9 essential amino acids are called "complete proteins" and are found in animal-derived foods such as meat, dairy, and eggs.

Plant-based sources of protein, such as beans, grains, nuts, and seeds, are typically low in one or more of the essential amino acids and are therefore considered "incomplete proteins." This means that vegans must carefully plan their diet to ensure they are getting all of the essential amino acids they need.

Protein and amino acid deficiency can have serious consequences, including impaired growth and development, muscle weakness, and decreased immune function. Children and pregnant women have increased protein and amino acid needs, and a deficiency during these stages of life can have serious consequences, including impaired growth and development, and an increased risk of complications during pregnancy [28].

Hormonal Issues

Veganism may also disrupt hormonal balance in both men and women. For example, a vegan diet may be low in certain nutrients that are important for the production of hormones, such as protein, fat, and certain vitamins and minerals (20).

A deficiency in these nutrients may lead to imbalances in hormones such as testosterone, estrogen, and progesterone, which can negatively affect health and well-being (21).

Other Health Complications

In addition to these potential nutrient deficiencies, veganism may also increase the risk of certain health conditions. For example, vegan diets may be low in certain nutrients that are important for bone health, such as calcium and vitamin D, which may increase the risk of osteoporosis and bone fractures (22). Veganism may also be associated with an increased risk of infertility, as a vegan diet may be low in certain nutrients that are important for reproductive health, such as protein, iron, and zinc (23). Veganism may also be associated with an increased risk of depression, as a vegan diet may be low in certain nutrients that are important for mental health, such as vitamin B12, iron, and omega-3 fatty acids (24).

In addition to these nutrient deficiencies, vegan diets can also increase the risk of certain health conditions, such as infertility, bone loss, and depression. These risks may be particularly pronounced for children and pregnant women, who have increased nutrient needs and may not be able to meet these needs on a vegan diet (25).

Should You Follow a Vegan Diet?

Following a vegan diet seems like an unnecessary risk for your health. There is a mountain of evidence showing that meat is required for healthy development in children, pregnant women, and the elderly. We have eaten meat for 2.5m years and become the most badass species to every walk this planet.

As humans, we have always relied on animal protein to survive and thrive. From our earliest ancestors, who scavenged for food and hunted small game, to the present day, where we have a wide variety of animal-derived foods at our disposal, animal protein has played a central role in the human diet (26). While it is possible to follow a vegan diet, it is not possible to derive all essential nutrients from this type of diet, and veganism carries certain health risks, including nutrient deficiencies, hormonal imbalances, and an increased risk of certain health conditions. In order to maintain optimal health, it is important to include animal protein in the diet.

The reason we have fake meat alternatives in supermarkets is because the body craves meat - because we need it to be healthy. In Eastern Europe and Asia, it's still common sense that we need meat to be healthy, but as the west has developed, we seem to find pointless ways to liberate our souls, which includes starving the body of meat.

It's important to understand - there has never been a successful vegan population. You will be serving yourself as guinea pig for an experiment that has never worked. At the end of the day, it's up to you if you want to follow a vegan diet (what you eat is none of my business). I'm just here to provide the other side of the argument that people never hear.

We run a nutrition clinic here at Biospan. And nutritionist often refuse to see vegans - because vegan patients have a huge number of health problems, but refuse to eat meat because they watched Game Changers on Netflix. We have a duty of care to be honest with you.

I have written a article explaining why animal foods are important for the environment and how animals are killed during plant farming. It's important to not get caught up in fiction and understand the truth about animal foods and their benefits for our health and the environment.