The vegan diet is becoming more and more popular as a lifestyle option based on plant foods rather than animal foods. However, after the death of vegan nutrition advocate, 39-year-old social media phenomenon Zhanna Samsonova, vegan nutrition brought with it question marks. Specialist Dietitian Yeşim Nurdan Özkorucuuklu states that, like every diet, vegan nutrition can cause serious health problems if not applied correctly.
The basis of a vegan diet is plant foods such as vegetables, fruits, legumes, cereals, nuts and seeds instead of animal foods such as meat, fish, milk, eggs and dairy products. Benefits include lower cholesterol levels, reduced risk of heart disease, consumption of fiber-rich foods, and a reduced risk of cancer, according to some studies. It can also be preferred for weight control because it does not have a high calorie content and is free from saturated fats. Specialist Dietitian Yeşim Nurdan Özkorucuuklu from Moodist Hospital states that the most important risk of vegan nutrition is malnutrition. Özkorucuuklu underlines that malnutrition can cause physical and mental health problems, and continues as follows: “Careful planning may be required, especially to meet the need for vitamin B12, iron, calcium, omega-3 fatty acids and protein. It should be emphasized that a vegan diet can be nutritionally adequate when carefully planned and well-balanced. If you are considering a vegan diet, it is very important that you follow this diet with the support of a nutritionist, not on your own, to ensure that you meet your nutritional needs and protect your health.
Is Vegan Nutrition Deadly?
After the death of 39-year-old social media phenomenon Zhanna Samsonova, a vegan nutrition advocate living abroad, the question of whether vegan nutrition is deadly, expert dietitian Yeşim Nurdan Özkorucuuklu answers: “It is not correct to label vegan nutrition as deadly. Vegan nutrition can be a healthy option when applied consciously and in a balanced way and can be adopted and applied by many people. Many studies show that a vegan diet has health benefits. However, like any diet, a vegan diet can lead to health problems if not followed properly. It is important for those who prefer a vegan diet to plan carefully to meet their vitamin B12, iron, calcium, omega-3 fatty acids and protein needs. Therefore, people considering or practicing a vegan diet should take adequate nutrients from various plant sources and use nutritional supplements if necessary to meet their nutritional needs. With the right nutrition planning and conscious choices, vegan nutrition can be a healthy lifestyle.”
Who Cannot Be Vegan?
Expert Dietitian Yeşim Nurdan Özkorucuuklu mentions that many people can easily apply vegan nutrition and states that in some cases, vegan nutrition may not be appropriate. Özkorucuuklu lists the unsuitable situations as follows:
Those who experience allergic reactions to nuts, soy, wheat or other plant-derived foods may experience health problems on a vegan diet due to restricted food intake.
· Pregnant and lactating women should be carefully fed and take the necessary nutrients for the health of the baby and their own. During this period, women on a vegan diet should receive adequate amounts of especially vitamin B12, iron, calcium and other important nutrients.
· Children and the elderly are particularly sensitive to their nutritional needs and it is important to provide a balanced diet. Therefore, care should be taken against malnutrition that may be caused by vegan nutrition. Their diet should be varied.
Finally, stating that vegan nutrition depends on individual preferences, ethical beliefs and health issues, Özkorucuuklu states that people who are interested in vegan nutrition should plan carefully and that it is very important to get enough nutrients from all food groups. Özkorucuuklu also underlines that it is very important to consult with a doctor and nutritionist before making any dietary changes.
Note to the Editor: Since February 2016, Private Moodist Hospital has been serving in its 8-storey modern building with a closed area of 10,200 square meters. Moodist is a human-oriented, full-fledged private psychiatric hospital that provides the conditions required by science and technology for mental health with its 75 bed capacity, suite and comfortable patient rooms, adult and child polyclinics, addiction, women's mental health, emergency psychiatry departments and all psychological diagnostic tests. . Moodist is one of the academic professors, expert psychiatrists and psychologists.
