What are the common health problems that vegans/vegetarians suffer???!

What are the common health problems that vegans/vegetarians suffer???

I know that a vegetarian/vegan is healthy just like any other person would be and we all are exposed to diseases no matter what we eat.. but if a person becomes a vegan/vegetarian and does not get the right nutrients what are the possible disorders/diseases he is going to get...like anemia, vitamin b12 deficiency . thanks

Vegetarianism is practiced by individuals for health reasons or by some groups for religious reasons. Vegetarians are people who have decided to give up eating some or all meat, or fleshy, foods. A vegan is a person who abstains from eating all types of animal products and is the strictest kind of vegetarian. Some vegetarians will eat items such as fish and eggs, and others will eat some types of dairy products such as milk or cheese.
It has been shown that vegetarians tend to suffer less from diseases such as cancer, heart disease, high blood pressure, obesity, and diet-related diabetes. In order to be as disease free as possible vegetarians incorporate a wide range of foods into their diet. By doing this they are getting all the essential nutrients they need to live. Vegetarians that aren’t careful to include a wide range of foods or supplements can suffer from deficiencies in zinc, calcium, Vitamin D, Iron, Vitamin B-12, and protein.
Zinc is a very important element needed for healthy skin and a healthy immune system. Zinc helps us to resist infection. If the amount of zinc is low in the body it can sometimes be very hard to raise through diet alone and supplements may be required. Zinc can be obtained from beans, nuts, seeds, green vegetables, and whole grain cereals.
Calcium, of course, is needed to keep our bones strong but it is also needed for good nerve and muscle function. Calcium also helps our blood to clot properly. Without enough calcium in our bodies we can suffer from Osteoporosis or nerve and muscle damage. Calcium can be obtained from dark leafy vegetables such as collard greens, turnip greens, kale, okra, mustard greens, or broccoli. Fortified products such as calcium fortified orange juice or calcium supplements can also provide our daily intake of calcium.
Just as important as calcium itself is Vitamin D which essential for the absorption of calcium and phosphorous. The best source of Vitamin D is sunlight but it can also be obtained from fish oils such as cod liver oil. Milk, cheese, and butter are also a great source of Vitamin D. For the vegetarian that doesn’t eat any meat product fortified foods or supplements can be used.
Iron deficiency anemia is common in children and younger women. Iron can be obtained by eating foods such as spinach, collard greens, lentils, dried beans, broccoli, and bok choy. It has been shown that eating iron rich foods in combination with Vitamin C rich foods will increase the absorption of iron into the body.
Vitamin B-12 is needed for blood formation and cell division within the body. Plant foods do not provide Vitamin B-12 which can be a problem for vegetarians. A deficiency in this vitamin can cause severe and irreversible nerve damage. Vitamin B-12 can be obtained from supplements or fortified foods such as soy milk and breakfast cereals.
Protein is needed for the body to grow and repair itself. Protein can be obtained from a number of sources in a vegetarian diet. Nuts, seeds, legumes, grains, and soy products all contain protein.
If you feel that your vegetarian diet is not meeting all of these needs you should consult your doctor or a registered dietitian for assistance.