This course has brought many things about my health into perspective. It has confirmed my beliefs that I should continue to participate in CrossFit and continue to live a vegan lifestyle. I has also confirmed my belief that drugs and alcohol should be avoided, it is important to exercise and eat healthy, that healthy interaction with others is essential for a stable mental state. I have also learned more about how to build healthy relationships and how to identify warning signs of diseases. Unfortunately, it has also confirmed my beliefs that most people are not living a healthy lifestyle and have a warped perception of what health and wellness and nutrition really is.
For example, in the book, Access to Health, we are taught that a vegetarian is very healthy and can reduce many health risks. Yes, a vegetarian diet is healthier than a diet that consumes animal protein, but eating diary and eggs can also have health risks. We are then told that a vegan diet comes with risks and vegans may be deficient in many minerals and vitamins. However, nothing could be further from the truth. …show more content…
A B12 deficiency can be a sign of a deeper underlying problem such as Crohn's disease or a digestive disease, but not a vegan diet. Dr. Vivian V. Vetrano states that the vitamin B12 comes from coenzymes that are already present in the body. As far as B vitamins go, vegan are safe.
Another aspect of a vegan diet that is at question according to the book is a lack of Calcium, Iron and Zinc. Calcium is present in many leafy greens, such as spinach and kale. According to the nutrition facts found on the internet, kale has around 150mg of Calcium per 100g, while milk has only 125mg per 100g. Not to mention kale lacks the puss, antibiotics and blood that is found in milk. Calcium is of no concern to vegans. Calcium, Iron, Zinc and other vitamins can all be found in a plant based