Vegan Diets: Deadly Or Healthy?

There are no reports of people dying from a vegan diet alone, but there have been cases of people dying from raw vegan diets. In 2023, 39-year-old vegan influencer Zhanna Samsonova, known as Zhanna D'Art on social media, died of starvation after living off a jackfruit diet. Samsonova's mother told Russian news outlets that her daughter died of a cholera-like infection, while some of her friends pointed to malnutrition. Ritika Samaddar, Regional Head of Nutrition and Dietetics at Max Super Speciality Hospital in New Delhi, said that no nutritionist would ever recommend a fully vegan diet because it cannot ensure a balance of macronutrients and micronutrients. However, it is important to note that a well-planned vegan diet that includes supplementation can be healthy and nutritionally adequate.

The death of vegan influencer Zhanna D'Art was allegedly due to starvation

The death of vegan influencer Zhanna D'Art, whose real name was Zhanna Samsonova, was allegedly due to starvation. Samsonova, a 39-year-old Russian national, had been following a raw vegan diet for at least a decade, according to her Instagram post. She frequently promoted raw foods on social media, where she was known to her millions of followers on TikTok, Facebook, and Instagram as Zhanna D'Art.

According to local media reports, Samsonova died on July 21, 2023, while seeking medical treatment during a tour in Southeast Asia. Friends and family members speaking to reporters provided accounts of her death, claiming that her so-called healthy food choices were to blame. One friend described her as looking "exhausted, with swollen legs oozing lymph" months before her death. Another friend said, "I lived one floor above her and every day I feared finding her lifeless body in the morning. I convinced her to seek treatment, but she didn't make it."

While the official cause of death has not been declared, Samsonova's mother attributed her daughter's passing to a "cholera-like infection" and believed that exhaustion and the stress of her vegan diet were contributing factors. However, some of Samsonova's devoted followers refused to believe that her eating choices led to her death, instead claiming that she was killed by chemicals in the fruit she consumed.

The potential health risks associated with a raw vegan diet, especially when not well planned, include deficiencies in calcium, vitamin D, and vitamin B12, which can lead to various health issues such as anemia, nervous system damage, infertility, and heart disease. Samsonova's death has brought attention to the importance of a balanced and nutritionally adequate diet, regardless of one's dietary preferences.

While there have been claims that malnutrition was the cause of Samsonova's death, it is important to note that these claims have not been officially verified by medical investigators or other authoritative sources. The exact circumstances surrounding her death remain unclear, and the public awaits further information from official sources to determine the definitive cause of her untimely passing.

A well-planned vegan diet is considered safe and can be beneficial

Research suggests that a vegan diet can offer several health advantages. For example, it can help lower the risk of certain diseases like type 2 diabetes, prostate cancer, and cardiovascular disease. Plant-based diets tend to be rich in fiber, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, which provide protection against various ailments. Additionally, they are usually lower in unhealthy saturated fat and cholesterol.

However, it is important to note that a vegan diet may also lead to deficiencies in specific nutrients like protein, calcium, omega-3 fatty acids, zinc, vitamin B12, and vitamin D. Vegans should ensure they consume a diverse range of plant-based foods and may need to take supplements for certain nutrients like B12.

Vegan diets can be safe and beneficial for specific groups, such as pregnant or breastfeeding women and children, but careful planning is necessary to ensure adequate nutrient intake. It is always recommended to consult a doctor or dietitian before making significant dietary changes, especially if there are existing health conditions.

Overall, a well-planned vegan diet that focuses on variety and nutrient adequacy can be a safe and healthy option, offering potential benefits for disease prevention and management.

A raw vegan diet can lead to nutritional deficiencies and health issues

While a raw vegan diet can be beneficial for health, it can also lead to nutritional deficiencies and health issues. A raw vegan diet is rich in fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, sprouted grains, and legumes, and is usually low in processed foods. However, it may not provide all the nutrients the human body needs.

Nutritional Deficiencies

Raw vegan diets are often low in vitamin B12, vitamin D, calcium, and iodine. Vitamin B12 is essential for the body, and its deficiency can lead to anemia, nervous system damage, infertility, heart disease, and poor bone health. Vitamin D and calcium are crucial for maintaining strong bones, and their deficiency can result in weak bones and muscle wasting. Iodine deficiency can lead to hypothyroidism.

Additionally, raw vegan diets tend to provide very little protein, which is important for preserving muscle mass, especially during periods of weight loss. This type of diet may also be low in omega-3 fatty acids, zinc, iron, magnesium, and high-quality protein.

Health Issues

The nutritional deficiencies associated with raw vegan diets can lead to various health issues. For example, vitamin B12 deficiency can cause nervous system damage, infertility, and vision problems. The lack of calcium and vitamin D can increase the risk of bone fractures. The diet has also been linked to higher rates of depression and anxiety, as well as hair loss, skin rashes, and anemia.

Furthermore, raw vegan diets that include a lot of citrus fruits and berries may increase the risk of tooth decay due to the acidic nature of these foods, which can cause tooth enamel erosion.

In women, a raw vegan diet can lead to menstrual irregularities and amenorrhea (absence of menstruation). This is likely due to unintentional weight loss caused by the diet, which can result in infertility and reduced bone mineral density.

Planning Your Diet

It is crucial to plan a raw vegan diet carefully to ensure you are consuming all the necessary nutrients. Adding supplements can help prevent vitamin B12, vitamin D, and calcium deficiencies. However, supplements are often discouraged in this diet due to the belief that all nutrients can be obtained from raw foods. This can further increase the risk of nutrient deficiencies.

While a raw vegan diet can offer some health benefits, it is important to be aware of the potential risks and ensure you are getting adequate nutrition to maintain overall health.

There is a lack of vegan nutrition supplements and hospital meals

While a vegan diet is generally considered healthy, it can be lacking in some nutrients, which, if not supplemented, can lead to serious health issues. However, there is a lack of vegan nutrition supplements and hospital meals, making it challenging for vegans to meet their nutritional requirements, especially when hospitalised.

Lack of Vegan Nutrition Supplements

Vegan diets may be deficient in certain nutrients, including vitamin B12, vitamin D, omega-3 fatty acids, iron, calcium, zinc, and iodine. While these nutrients are typically found in animal products, they can also be obtained through fortified foods and supplements. However, the availability of vegan supplements is limited, which can make it difficult for vegans to ensure they are meeting their nutritional needs.

Lack of Vegan Hospital Meals

Hospital meals are often inadequate for vegans, and there have been reports of hospitals being unable to provide vegan options that meet patients' nutritional needs. This can be particularly problematic for vegans who are hospitalised and rely on the hospital for their meals. In some cases, hospitals may not have a good understanding of vegan dietary requirements, leading to a lack of vegan options or incorrect information about the vegan status of their meals. Additionally, strict COVID-19 restrictions in hospitals may prevent visitors from bringing outside food, further limiting vegan patients' food options.

The lack of vegan nutrition supplements and hospital meals can make it challenging for vegans to ensure they are meeting their nutritional requirements, especially when hospitalised. It is important for healthcare providers to have a better understanding of vegan dietary needs and offer appropriate vegan options to ensure the well-being of their patients.

Some people use veganism as a tool for disordered eating

While veganism is a legitimate lifestyle and dietary choice, it can also be used as a tool for disordered eating. Veganism is a lifestyle and dietary choice that seeks to eliminate the consumption, use, or exploitation of animals and animal products. It is often followed by those who object to the exploitation of and cruelty to animals. However, it can also be a way to mask or exacerbate eating disorder symptoms, especially for those already struggling with disordered eating.

Veganism and eating disorders share the characteristic of "dietary restraint," which makes it challenging for treatment providers to assess whether food choices are driven by eating disorder beliefs or the ethics of veganism. This is particularly true for eating disorders that are lesser-known, such as ARFID (Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder) and orthorexia nervosa, an obsession with restricting intake to only "healthy" food.

There are five key signs that may indicate someone is using veganism as a tool for disordered eating:

• Obsessive focus on health and/or food choices: Increased anxiety around mealtimes and an inability to enjoy food due to associated stress, anxiety, or guilt.
• Rapid weight loss and fluctuations: This could indicate either an intention to lose weight or a lack of nourishment.
• Strict adherence to veganism despite negative health consequences: Unwillingness to incorporate more food or reassess the relationship with veganism, even when the body is lacking nutrition.
• Social isolation: Avoiding social situations due to food-related concerns, indicating that following veganism has become more important than social well-being.
• Disordered eating patterns and rituals: Using veganism as a reason to skip meals or engage in rituals to make eating easier.

It is important to note that these signs do not necessarily indicate an eating disorder, and that there is nothing inherently wrong with veganism. However, continuous monitoring of the intention and impact of dietary choices over time is crucial. If you are unsure, experts can help identify whether someone is practicing veganism or exhibiting disordered eating patterns.

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