Arguments Against Veganism

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To start, those who oppose veganism believe that this diet hinders the intake of necessary human vitamins that are found in animals, like protein, iron, zinc, Vitamin B12 and calcium (Cherepa, 68). Most plant sources do not contain an essential amount of these vitamins and nutrients compared to that of animal products. Despite this fault, the vegan diet is flexible and allows for a variety of options that contain such vitamins. For example, a meal can be coupled with foods that are rich in amino acids since they are the building blocks of protein (Cherepa, 68). This means that a vegan can combine foods with amino acids like bell peppers with quinoa, avocados with whole wheat bread, and hemp seeds/hearts and cereal. According to the World …show more content…

This classification puts these meats, as well as processed meats, under the same cancer risk category as cigarette smoking. Frank Hu, a nutrition and epidemiology professor at Harvard School of Public Health found that people who consume around one serving of red meat a day has a 13% increase in the risk of mortality and a 20% increased risk of death from cancer and heart disease from the consumption of processed meats (Aubrey). Studies by Dr. Chris Lillis with Chancellor Internal Medicine in Spotsylvania have shown that a plant-based diet can reduce and change the effects of diabetes, high cholesterol, and heart disease, and minimize the risk of cancer (Flowers Umble). A diet consisting of only plants can also help America’s lack of fiber while contributing a substantial number of antioxidants and minerals, which then can “build up the immune system, reduce inflammation and improve metabolism and gastrointestinal health” (Templeton) and eliminate the consumption of processed food and carcinogens. According to a study in the medical journal “Medical Hypotheses”, researcher Mark McCarly analyzed the benefits of vegetable protein and justified that this protein can reduce the risk of cancer, cardiovascular disease, obesity, and revive sugar levels for those with type two diabetes

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