I have a niece who is on a vegan diet and she has stopped menstruating. I told her that it was her vegan diet and that she needed to see a doctor. She has also become very anemic. Is the damage she is doing to her body irreversible?
2006-12-20 19:15:46 · 21 answers · asked by foxhunter_guy 1 in Food & Drink ➔ Vegetarian & Vegan
Foxie, you must be related to or know every vegetarian/vegan on the planet. Seems like every time we turn around, you're posting something about someone you know who just "happens" to be a vegetarian or a vegan.
This time, it's your niece who, coincidentally, is a vegan. Last time it was, what, a neighbor? Someone you work with? I lost count at 128, I think it was.
I'd sure love to know where you live. The place must be heaven on earth for vegetarians (well, with one minor exception, anyway), since so many of them congregate around you. No wonder you act so paranoid. . .you're just plain surrounded by 'em!
Oh, and BTW -- your 'niece' could have stopped menstruating and become anemic for many other reasons besides her alleged vegan diet. She needs to see a doctor for a thorough checkup.
2006-12-21 08:52:08 · answer #1 · answered by Wolfeblayde 7 · 11⤊ 2⤋
A vegan diet is not usually damaging at all, as long as the person is eating enough.
Malnutrition can occur with any kind of diet. She just needs to make sure she's eating a variety of foods so she can get enough fat/fatty acids, calories, and iron to maintain (or regain) a healthy lifestyle. She should probably also be taking a good vegan multivitamin.
Her situation does sound dangerously like an eating disorder that is being masked by veganism. But whether it's an eating disorder or not, she's definitely malnourished. She should see a vegan-friendly nutritionist or doctor as soon as possible.
She can definitely be a healthy vegan. It's not that hard to do, as long as she's eating enough varied foods.
2006-12-23 10:59:54 · answer #2 · answered by Zephyr 1 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Too many people decide to become vegan without having the knowledge of the foods they need to be consuming in order to take the place of the meat. You can not survive without oils in your diet, and the proper amounts of protein. Its sad that vegans are more interested in new recruits then actually teaching people about whats really healthy. There is way too much vegan junk food on the market thats only designed to stop you from eating meat, not actually keeping you as a person healthy. Nobody should become a vegan if they do not know how to balance their diet without the meat.
2006-12-21 08:14:32 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 5⤊ 0⤋
Done properly, which means education yourself first, there are no damages associated Whit a long-term vegan diet. Any woman who doesn't consume enough calories or who doesn't consume enough fat will lose her menstrual cycle. This can also happen when women athletes don't properly adjust their diets to allow for their training regimes.
There are, however, plenty of damaging effects of an omnivore diet.
You were correct to advise her to see a doctor, but quite wrong in blaming a vegan diet in general. Blame your own (and her) lack of nutrition knowledge. Read the following, and make certain your niece reads them as well. They were written by a pair of registered dieticians, and are extremely helpful.
2006-12-23 11:18:11 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
It is possible to be vegan without being unhealthy. But it does take effort. Carnivores don't realize that they should also be more aware of what they're putting in their mouths, but all the same, vegans should be doing it more.
The doctors will probably tell her that she can't be vegan and healthy at the same time. Whether or not to disregard this advice is up to her, with the help of her parents. But if she does decide to (disregard it), she has to be ready for the consequences: Taking multi-vitamins, B-12 pills, making sure she's getting calcium (Silk soymilk has just as much of this as cow's), and protein. Find a way to incorporate tofu, tempeh, and other high protein foods into her diet that she can enjoy while nourishing her body fully and properly.
No, these are not irreversible cases. She should take a daily iron supplement, and it will clear up in time.
Stopping menstruation is usually a case of deficient calorie intake. When this happened to me, I tried to find any other reason for it, but it ended up being a lack-of-calories problem.
Right now, I'm a healthy, happy, vegan. I'm proud of my choice, ways, and body.
I highly recommend buying "Raising Vegan Children in a Non-Vegan World" by Erin Pavlina
Other sources for proper nutrition:
www.vegfamily.com - The Ask a Nutritionist section
www.vrg.org
www.vegparadise.com
http://www.vegsoc.org/
http://www.vegsource.com/
www.vrg.org
Good luck to your and your niece!
2006-12-21 07:21:47 · answer #5 · answered by Mary 2 · 3⤊ 2⤋
There are no damaging effects of a vegan dietper se. However, just like meat eaters, vegans need to ensure that they are getting the nutrients they need.
Your niece is clearly unwell and, her diet may or may not be to blame. She should see her GP and if her diet is an issue any good nutritionist will give her guidance on maintaining a healthy vegan diet.
2006-12-21 04:51:49 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 2⤋
As with almost any diet (omnivorous, vegetarian,vegan, atkins whatever) If you are careful to get the nutrients your body needs there are no damaging effects. A vegan diet can be VERY healthy if the person knows a little about nutrition.
2006-12-21 14:46:10 · answer #7 · answered by +Jesus Freak+ 2 · 3⤊ 2⤋
That wouldn't be due to veganism . Get your doctor to check her out. One usually becomes anaemic due to heavy periods not due to a lack of periods (personal experience.) She may have anorexia or bulimia.
Also get some advice on vegan foods .See my resolved question about becoming vegan, there are a lot of useful websites there.
Tell your niece to take care. I truly hope she is going to be ok!!
2006-12-22 00:04:24 · answer #8 · answered by Andielep 6 · 3⤊ 1⤋
Go here..... http://www.thegardendiet.com
There are pictures of a 57 year old FIT man who has been RAW vegan (no cooked foods) for 31 years. His wife and 4 children are also raw. Your daughter needs to look at WHAT she is eating. If it isnt clean and pure and UNprocessed food, then she is not getting any nutrients. Vegans think that they can eat crackers and chips (chips are technically vegan...no animal products...but they ARENT healthy!) You have to look at how she is eating, what she is eating....how often she is eating....this is all VERY important. Veganism is difficult. You have to eat every hour or two. You have to eat NUTRITIOUS foods.....not genetically modified, processed and dead foods. Organic. Living. Not from a box...eat from nature.
2006-12-23 03:52:04 · answer #9 · answered by pinkcinnamon3 3 · 2⤊ 1⤋
She needs to see a nutrionist if she wants to do this-especially if she's a teenager/or in child bearing years.
She's not getting enough protein and iron in her diet. I made the same mistake and that's why I stopped being vegan. I would like to do it but I think I need to see a nutritionist/or read a lot more on it. I wasn't getting enough of the right things so I was tiresd and weak, and had crazy menstrual cycles. For anemia she needs to eat more things like spinach, tofu,molassess, fortified cereals,oatmeal, seeds (pumpkin) etc. Multi-vitamins are a plus
2006-12-21 03:21:59 · answer #10 · answered by the librarian 6 · 4⤊ 3⤋