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| What in the World is a Vegan? |
 Tony writes, "Veganism is the personal practice of eliminating the use of non-human animal products. It is a philosophy, diet, and lifestyle. "
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Vegans exclude any type of meat, fish, fowl, dairy products (animal milk, butter, cheese, yogurt, etc.), eggs, honey, animal gelatin, and all other foods of animal origin.
Veganism also excludes animal products such as leather, wool, fur, and silk in clothing, upholstery, etc. Vegans usually make efforts to avoid the less-than-obvious animal oils, secretions, etc., in many products such as soaps, cosmetics, toiletries, household goods and other common commodities.
Why do some people choose this lifestyle? Well, there are several reasons. Ethical vegans reject the commodity status of animals and the use of animal products for any purpose, while dietary vegans or strict vegetarians eliminate them from their diet only. Another form, environmental veganism, rejects the use of animal products on the premise that the industrial practice is environmentally damaging and unsustainable. The common thread is that the practice of veganism is seen as an equitable, ethical relationship between humans and other living creatures.
Vegan diets do provide large amounts of cereals, pulses, nuts, fruits, and vegetables, which makes them rich in complex carbohydrates, omega 6 fatty acids, dietary fiber, carotenoids, folic acid, vitamins E and C as well as magnesium. According to the 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, a report issued by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, a vegetarian diet is associated with lower levels of obesity and reduced risk of cardiovascular disease. This is because of the deletion of animal-products from the diet.
Vegan diets do require that the practioner of it educate themselves about nutrition. Some common pitfalls are the lack of protein, most commonly found in animal-based products. Also the lack of nutrients such as B-12 and calcium are common in diets of novice vegans. A vegan diet is certainly not for everybody and the best thing to do is gather as much information as you can about it before embarking on it.
Tony Burris, L.Ac.
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Posted on Sep 14, 2011 16:12pm.
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