4 Crucial Nutrients Lacking in a Vegan Diet

Our April Lifebox Classic includes a full size Better You Vegan Health Oral Spray, which is scientifically formulated to provide fast, effective absorption of nutrients typically underrepresented in vegan and vegetarian diets.

Read on to find out about these vital minerals and the role they play in our bodies.

There are 600,000 vegans in Great Britain or 1.16% of the population according to The Vegan Society and with 28% of Brits identifying as meat reducers, how can those following a plant-based diet ensure optimal health?

On average, vegans live three and a half years longer than omnivores, but with vitamin and mineral absorption from plant products being lower than that of animal products, supplementation is essential to ensure optimal levels of key nutrients to support health.

While following a vegan diet has its advantages, such as lowering blood pressure and cholesterol, reducing or removing food groups within your diet can also impact vitamin and mineral levels. If you are vegan or considering a lifestyle change, here are four crucial nutrients you need to know about…

Iron

This essential element is a vital component of haemoglobin, the substance in red blood cells that carries oxygen from the lungs to transport it throughout the body. A lack of iron in the body can cause tiredness, fatigue and shortness of breath.

Owing to a diet rich in wholegrains, vegans consume similar amounts of iron as omnivores. However, the body doesn’t absorb iron effectively from plant-based sources, which means that vegans need to pay attention to ensuring that sufficiency is prioritised.

Vitamin B12

B12 helps the body’s ability to reduce the onset of fatigue, supports energy levels and increases concentration levels as well as contributing to normal homocysteine metabolism. Low levels of vitamin B12 can lead to tiredness, weakness and loss of appetite as well as constipation and weight loss.

Vegetarians and vegans are often deficient in B12 as it is found in meat, fish and some dairy products. However, unlike some B vitamins, B12 is not found in any plant food other than fortified cereals so this makes it difficult for people following a plant-based diet to get the necessary amount. This vitamin is also notoriously difficult to absorb in the gut. At most, only 1% of our dietary intake will be absorbed by the body.

A research review has suggested that vegans should consume 6 μg of supplemental B12 per day.

Vitamin D

Vitamin D’s main role within the body is to regulate the intake of calcium, magnesium and phosphorous which are essential minerals required, among other things, for the formation of healthy bones. Low levels of the sunshine vitamin can manifest as common symptoms such as low mood, headaches and aches and pains to name just a few.

80-90% of our vitamin D stores are provided by the sun, with few foods providing meaningful quantities of this vital vitamin. The only foods which provide vitamin D at a meaningful level are eggs (but only hens that are fed vitamin D), as well as fatty fish such as mackerel and herring, meaning those following a plant-based diet are at increased risk of having low levels.

Iodine

The body uses iodine to make thyroid hormones. These hormones help keep cells and your metabolic rate healthy as well as aiding proper bone and brain development during pregnancy and infancy. A lack of iodine can cause symptoms such as weakness, fatigue and feeling cold and can lead to an under-active thyroid.

Dairy products and seafood, such as shellfish, are the only food sources which provide consistent levels of iodine. The amount found in plant-based foods, such as cereals and grains, is inconsistent and depends on how much iodine is in the soil the plant is grown in.

When following a vegan diet is can be difficult to ensure adequate levels of essential nutrients from plant-based sources of food alone, therefore testing your levels and supplementing accordingly is the best way to ensure good health.