The newspaper "Moskovsky Komsomolets" conducted research on the impact of excluding animal products from the diet on health. How does this affect life?
According to nutrition expert and physician Darya Rusakova, the impact of a plant-based diet on quality of life and life expectancy depends on factors such as:
- Individual characteristics of each person
- Lifestyle
- Genetics
- A balanced diet
The plant-based diet can be easily adjusted with functional foods and dietary supplements.
This diet consists exclusively of plant-based foods. However, some experts say that a strict plant-based diet reduces life expectancy by an average of two to three years.
A strict plant-based diet is a dietary pattern in which all animal products (meat, fish, poultry, honey) are completely avoided. This ensures that the body receives all the necessary vitamins, minerals, and nutrients.
It is sufficient to monitor your body regularly to detect any deficiencies, and if necessary, take appropriate supplements or include foods fortified with vitamin B12, as Rusakova said.
Risks of a deficiency in animal products
The nutrition expert noted that a deficiency in vitamin B12, found in animal products, affects blood quality and the nervous system, as its deficiency causes anemia.
A B12 deficiency causes a permanent decrease in hemoglobin levels in the blood, which deprives the body's organs of oxygen. It also causes a malfunction in the nervous system, as vitamin B12 is responsible for the myelination of nerve fibers, as explained by Rusakova.
Darya Rusakova also reminded that animal products also saturate the body with healthy fats and other enzymes that reduce the risk of depression and apathy.
By giving up animal products, the body does not get all the omega-3 fatty acids, iron, and zinc—essential elements for human mental health.
A vitamin D deficiency also affects mood, but there is no direct link between a plant-based diet and an increased likelihood of depression and anxiety.
