Ive got low vitamin d, is that caused at all by being vegan, or how ?!
just wandering if its related to being vegan or is it caused by something else, is it serious, what r the symptoms of low vitamin d? thanks xxxxxxxxxx
Answers: i just got a call from the nurse saying my blood test showed low vitamin d and that i need to go in and see my dr
just wandering if its related to being vegan or is it caused by something else, is it serious, what r the symptoms of low vitamin d? thanks xxxxxxxxxx
I thought that was what you got from the sun too.
There are some vitamins that do have Vitamin D in it.
You will be fine!! My kids eat like horses and still lack Vitamin B12.
vitamin d deficiency is usually linked to lack of sunlight
Vitamin D helps you absorb calcium. Do you still consume dairy products?
Vitamin D is absorbed from sunlight. You really need to be outdoors more during the day and get out of the house!
Probably caused by something else. The only vitamin shortage I've ever heard of associated with being a vegan is B12.
NO symptoms, only way to know is by blood test.
Lack of sunshine is the main reason. You should get 10 to 15 minutes of sunlight without sunblock lotion daily. If this is not possible especially during winter consider taking 100mg of vitamin d pills.
Vitamin D supplementation has also been proven to reduce cancer by 60% according to a Canadian government study.
Go outside to get sunlight (vitamin d) or take a vitamin d supplement. However, no need to spend the whole day outside just 10 mins is enough.
you must be a vampire .. hehehe
Less yahoo and more sun is the cure to low Vitamin D !!!
Veganism does not cause health problems (although it can obviously improve your health), it is all about to you, and how well you take care of yourself.
Sunlight is a great source of Vitamin D3. Vitamin D2 is only found in foods such as vegetable oils & margarines, some plant milks (soy, rice, & hemp), spirulina, as well as some cereals & breads.
You most likely got deficient due to not being near sunlight and not eating vegan VD2 foods.
Veganism means not consuming or using animals or the products humans make from animals. It is a lifestyle & in no way can 'cause' such things.
Also, contrary to some people's belief (such as a commenter above) B12 is more common in animal eaters than vegans, and vegans don't have a hard time getting it naturally.
People that do not consume milk are very susceptible to vitamin d deficiency. You should take a supplement to decrease your risk of deficiency.
Lack of sun exposure is normally the main culprit.
Obesity can also cause a deficiency.
"Vitamin D is present in oily fish, eggs and dairy products in variable amounts. It is not found in plant foods. However, vegans can obtain vitamin D from vegetable margarines, some soya milks and certain other foods which are fortified with the vitamin. Vitamin D is also synthesised by the skin when exposed to sunlight. Synthesis of vitamin D in this way is usually adequate to supply all the body's requirements. Most vegans will obtain sufficient vitamin D providing they spend time outdoors on bright days. Fortified foods further ensure adequate amounts. "Vegans who may be confined indoors may be recommended a vitamin D supplement. Also, infants who are seldom oudoors or who are dark-skinned may require supplements. Asian vegans may also be at risk of deficiency, particularly Asian women who may be required to keep their skin covered for cultural reasons"
Taken from: http://www.vegsoc.org/info/vegan-nutriti...
I have also heard that the consumption of fizzy sodas can prevent or interfere with consumption of adequate levels.
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Proteins: Body's protein needs can be provided by either animal or plant sources. Mixed protein diet obtained from various plant sources is better than animal protein and is recommended in diabetes, renal diseases and liver diseases. Mixed protein diet from different plant sources has been the pattern of diet in India for all vegetarians.
Carbohydrates: Carbohydrates are mainly found in plant foods; like cereals, grains, fresh and dry fruits, legumes, vegetable, greens, nuts etc. plant carbohydrates include' large amounts of starches, sugar and fibers which are important for gut functions. The body is better suited to a high carbohydrate diet than a low carbohydrate diet. In fact 55% of the food intake should be carbohydrate. All animal products do not contain carbohydrate which is essential for body.
Fat: Plant fats differ from animal fats in two different ways 1) they are cholesterol free 2) they generally contain more polyunsaturated fat and less saturated fats. Plant fats usually have higher polyunsaturated fat value than animal fats.
A diet which is low in cholesterol and which contains fat of a high PIS value is associated with a lower incident of coronary health disease.
Vitamins and Minerals: plant foods are rich in many vitamins and minerals.
Vitamin D: Vitamin D is obtained by exposure of skin to sun light and this is not a problem in India.
Calcium: The vegetarians can meet their needs for calcium from dairy products. Riboflavin (Vitamin B2) Dark green vegetables are good sources of Riboflavin as are legumes and whole grain cereal.
Iron: The problem of iron deficiency is relatively common but vitamin C significantly enhances absorption of iron hence it is advisable for vegetarians to include with each meal a food high in vitamin C which as lime, citrus fruits or juices.
Zinc: Zinc is found in large number of plant foods.
Fiber: Fiber is found only in vegetarian food like whole grain cereals, legumes, greens, fruits, vegetable etc.
Thus in vegetarian foods all requirement of nutrition for body growth and maintenance is fulfilled. One can have a complete and balanced diet provided we take enough food which is as close to nature as possible in maintaining sturdy and disease free body. It is equally helpful in curing many diseases.
ADVANTAGES OF VEGETARIAN DIET:
More & more evidence is surfacing that directly links a prolonged non- vegetarian diet to diseases as cancers, heart diseases, diabetes, asthma just to name a few.
1. LOGEVITY: Vegetarian can expect to live 4-10 years longer then the non-vegetarians.
" Source: Seventh day Adventists study
2. LESS HEART DISEASE: Because of low fat, saturated fat and cholesterol content of the vegetarian diet the risk of heart disease is lowered. High blood cholesterol levels are associated with increased risk of heart disease.
3. LESS CANCER: Up to 40% of all cancers are diet related. Cancer death rates have been associated with obesity and high fat / low fiber diet. Vitamin A & C are thought to be protective against colon cancer. Low fat diets protect against prostrate and breast cancer. Indoles, lignans, isoflavones, protease inhibitors which are present in plant foods and shown to be potent anti carcinogens.
4. LESS BOWEL DISEASE: Diverticular disease and appendicitis occur more frequently with low fiber intake as in meat diet.
5. LEES OBESITY & LESS INCIDENCE OF DIABETES: It is easier to plan a low fat diet for a vegetarian then for a meat eater. The fiber in plant food dilutes the energy & provides a satisfying meal without all the calories. Diabetes over the age of 40 seems to be related to obesity.
Probably a lack of sunshine, http://www.cancer.ca/ccs/internet/mediar...
Lack of sunshine, and as the others mentioned, you can take a vitamin supplement if needed.
And to the person who asked if you consume dairy products--no, vegans don't!!! And they add Vitamin D to cow's milk...
Vitamin D is generally easy enough to get by getting sunlight on your skin, it's not necessary to get it from diet unless you never get any sun. D deficiency or "rickets" used to be more common in the USA about 100 years ago when a lot of children were working in factories.
Some people have metabolic disorders where the body might fail to make a sufficient amount of vitamin D, even if they have enough sun. You should see the doctor to get that checked out.
Also, blood lab work can sometimes have inaccurate results. The doctor will probably want to redo the blood work and see if it still shows low levels of vitamin D.
If you live in the northern latitudes, it's likely because it's winter and you haven't been getting enough sunlight. Vitamin D is the only vitamin our bodies can synthesize and if we get enough direct sunlight on un-sunscreened skin, we can make plenty. If not, we can find ourselves deficient. If you have light skin, 10-15 minutes of sun per day on your face and forearms (or an equivalent amount of exposed skin) should be enough. Darker skinned people need more exposure to get enough. If you can't get enough sun you can eat fortified foods or take a supplement. You want to look for foods/supplements using D2, which is from plant sources, rather than D3, which is from animal sources.
Deficiency can inhibit your body from absorbing dietary calcium*, and at its extreme, cause rickets.
*Since it's needed for proper calcium absorption and because a lot of kids don't get enough, this is exactly why the decision was made to fortify cow's milk. We can just drink fortified soymilk instead.
vegans are so pointless that its unbelievable