Vegans' May Need Omega-3s and B12

Are you a person that follows a vegan lifestyle? If so, please carefully read an article about the study that appears in ACS' Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry. The article is here.

The review of dozens of articles published on the biochemistry of vegetarianism during the past 30 years led to the conclusion that those that are strict vegetarians, and that eat no meat or animal products, may be at increased risk of heart problems. They may be likely to develop blood clots and atherosclerosis.

It is known that meat eaters have a significantly higher risk or cardiovascular events than vegetarians; however, lower-risk vegans, may not be immune. Vegan diets tend to be lacking several key nutrients – iron, zinc, vitamin B12, and omega-3 fatty acids.

So if you are a person with diabetes, have a talk with your doctor and have a test for at least B12 to determine if you have a level within the acceptable range. If you are in the low part of the range or just low, make sure that you eat foods rich in B12 or if the doctor recommends it, a B12 supplement.

Also consider adding fish oil supplements or foods rich in omega-3. There is also a test for omega-3. Read David Mendosa's blog here for further information and his blog here for information on the tests and where to obtain them.