Vegan Diets: Doctors Weigh In On The Pros And Cons

Doctors and other health professionals have varying opinions on the vegan diet. While some doctors advocate for the health benefits of veganism, others express negative opinions about it. Some doctors have suggested that certain health issues may be caused by a vegan diet, while others have dismissed this idea.

Research has linked plant-based diets to lower rates of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and some cancers when compared to diets high in meat and animal products. However, a UK study found that vegetarians had a 20% higher risk of stroke compared to meat-eaters, although the overall risk was small.

Some doctors have embraced the potential health benefits of a vegan diet, while others remain sceptical or uninformed about its advantages.

Doctors may express negative opinions about vegan diets due to limited nutrition training

Doctors who are unfamiliar with the benefits of veganism may be more likely to express negative opinions about this way of eating. A vegan doctor on Reddit shared that medical students are not taught about the full benefits of veganism, and that students often ignore the facts about the pro-inflammatory reactions and health and environmental problems meat can cause. Another doctor commented that there is no nutrition class in medical school, and that nutritionists are much better informed about dietary needs.

A user on Quora shared that their doctor suggested their nausea could be due to their vegan diet, despite having been vegan for two years without any nausea. Another user shared that their doctor told them to eat honey for a sore throat, and when they refused due to being vegan, the doctor told them their tiredness was due to iron and B12 deficiency, which was disproven by blood tests.

Some doctors may assume that any health issues in vegan patients are due to their diet, without considering other factors or running tests. This may be due to a lack of knowledge about the benefits of vegan diets, or a result of influence from the pharmaceutical industry, which does not profit from people adopting vegan diets.

However, it is important to note that not all doctors are against vegan diets. Many doctors, dieticians, and other health professionals advocate for plant-based diets due to the health risks associated with animal products. Research has linked meat consumption, particularly red and processed meats, to chronic illnesses such as diabetes, liver disease, cardiovascular diseases, and colon cancer.

Additionally, some doctors recognise the benefits of vegan diets in preventing and treating specific health conditions. For example, Dr Kim Williams, a renowned cardiologist and former President of the American College of Cardiology, has firmly asserted that plant-based foods can prevent and reverse heart disease. Dr Brooke Goldner, a celebrity doctor and bestselling author, shares that switching to a plant-based diet helped her reverse her lupus diagnosis.

Overall, while some doctors may express negative opinions about vegan diets due to limited nutrition training, there are also many doctors who recognise the potential health benefits of plant-based diets and advocate for their patients to adopt them.

A vegan diet can reduce the risk of diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and certain cancers

Doctors agree that a vegan diet can help reduce the risk of diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and certain cancers. Research shows that a well-planned vegan diet can be highly nutritious and offer several health benefits.

Diabetes

A vegan diet can be beneficial for people with type 2 diabetes or those looking to prevent it. Research suggests that a vegan diet can improve blood sugar management and insulin sensitivity. A 12-week study found that a low glycemic vegan diet led to slightly better blood sugar control compared to a conventional diabetes diet. Additionally, vegan diets tend to be lower in fat and calories, which can aid in weight management—a crucial aspect of diabetes management.

Cardiovascular Disease

Plant-based diets are rich in phytochemicals, including antioxidants and carotenoids, which have been linked to reducing the risk of heart disease. Carotenoids, such as beta carotene, lycopene, and lutein, are highly pigmented and found in colorful fruits and vegetables. These phytochemicals work independently and synergistically to decrease the risk of cardiovascular disease and other chronic conditions.

Cancer

Research indicates that a vegan diet may be the best dietary approach for cancer prevention. A study found that vegans had the lowest rates of cancer among different dietary groups. Plant-based diets are rich in phytochemicals, which protect the body from damage, reduce inflammation, and interrupt processes that encourage cancer development. Additionally, the high fiber content in vegan diets has been associated with a reduced risk of breast and colorectal cancer.

A vegan diet may increase the risk of stroke, according to a UK study

A vegan diet has been a topic of debate among doctors and health professionals for years. While some tout its health benefits, such as a reduced risk of heart disease, others caution that it may increase the risk of certain health issues, specifically stroke. This controversy was fuelled by a UK-based study published in the medical journal BMJ in September 2019, which found a potential link between vegan diets and an increased risk of stroke.

The Study

The study, led by nutritional epidemiologist Tammy Tong from the University of Oxford, analysed the health outcomes of over 48,000 people in the UK with an average age of 45. The participants were divided into three groups: meat-eaters, pescetarians (fish-eaters), and vegetarians/vegans. Over an 18-year follow-up period, the researchers tracked the occurrence of coronary heart disease and stroke among the participants.

The Findings

The findings of the study suggested that vegetarians and vegans had a 20% higher risk of stroke compared to meat-eaters, specifically hemorrhagic stroke, which is caused by a ruptured blood vessel in the brain. This equates to three more cases of stroke per 1,000 people over ten years. However, it is important to note that the vegetarians/vegans group had a 22% lower risk of coronary heart disease than meat-eaters, which translates to ten fewer cases per 1,000 people over the same period.

Potential Reasons

So, why might a vegan diet be linked to an increased risk of stroke? Well, the exact reasons are still unclear, but Tong and other researchers have proposed a few theories. One possibility is that very low cholesterol levels in those following vegan diets may be a contributing factor. Some evidence suggests that extremely low cholesterol is associated with a slightly higher risk of hemorrhagic stroke. Additionally, vitamin deficiencies, particularly vitamin B12 deficiency, which is common among those consuming minimal animal products, may also play a role.

Perspective

While the study's findings suggest a potential link between vegan diets and increased stroke risk, it is important to interpret them with caution. Firstly, the study only included a largely white European population, and further research is needed to determine if the results apply to other ethnic groups. Secondly, while the absolute numbers indicate a higher risk of stroke, the overall cardiovascular health outcomes for vegetarians were still better due to the reduced risk of heart disease. Finally, it is worth noting that other studies, such as one by Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health in 2021, have found that healthy plant-based diets may lower the risk of stroke by up to 10%.

In conclusion, while the UK study suggests a potential link between vegan diets and increased stroke risk, more research is needed to confirm these findings and understand the underlying reasons. In the meantime, it is essential for those following vegan diets to ensure they are meeting all their nutritional requirements, including adequate cholesterol and vitamin B12 intake, to mitigate any potential health risks.

Doctors may attribute health issues to veganism without conducting tests

For example, one vegan reports that their doctor suggested their nausea could be because of their vegan diet, despite the fact they had been vegan for two years without any nausea. Another vegan reports that their doctor told them to eat honey for their sore throat, and when they refused, the doctor asserted that their tiredness was due to iron and B12 deficiency, despite blood tests coming back fine.

In another case, a vegan with digestive issues had two doctors suggest that their vegan diet was the cause of their issues, without conducting any tests. It was only the third doctor that ran tests and found that the patient had celiac disease.

However, some doctors are more open-minded and knowledgeable about the benefits of a vegan diet. For example, one vegan reports that their doctor laughed at the idea that their health issues were due to their veganism, and removed it from their list of health problems. Another vegan reports that their doctor was "stoked" about their diet after seeing their "better than required" blood results.

It is important to note that doctors may have limited nutrition training, and their negative opinions of plant-based diets may be due to a lack of knowledge about the health benefits of these diets.

Some doctors advocate for vegan diets to treat chronic illnesses

There is an increasing body of evidence that links meat consumption, especially red and processed meats, with chronic illness. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has found that eating 50 grams of processed meat per day can increase the risk of colorectal cancer by up to 18%. Diabetes, liver disease, cardiovascular diseases, and colon cancer are all linked to eating meat.

In contrast, plant-based diets are associated with lower rates of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and some cancers. A study from Harvard Medical School found that around a third of early deaths could be prevented with a meat-free diet. This is supported by a 2019 study published in The Journal of Nutrition, which found that vegan participants showed the highest level of carotenoids, an antioxidant that has been linked to reduced inflammation, and a lower risk of cancer.

Several doctors have also shared their positive experiences with vegan diets. Dr Brooke Goldner, a celebrity doctor and bestselling author, credits a plant-based diet with helping her reverse her lupus diagnosis. Dr Kim Williams, a renowned cardiologist and former President of the American College of Cardiology, is a vegan advocate, asserting that plant-based foods can prevent and reverse heart disease.

However, it is important to note that not all doctors are equally supportive of vegan diets, and some express negative opinions without conducting proper tests. This may be due to a lack of education on the benefits of veganism in medical schools, or the influence of the pharmacological industry. Additionally, plant-based diets do carry some risk of inadequate protein, vitamin, and mineral intake, but these risks can be mitigated by choosing the right foods and supplements when necessary.

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