We all know that vegan foods are far healthier than animal products, but there are nutrients that you cannot get from normally consumed plant foods. By completely eliminating either, we risk becoming deficient in key nutrients.
Here are some nutrients that are only found in animal meat.
1. Vitamin B12
Vitamin B12 is an essential nutrient found in virtually no plant foods. Also known as cobalamin, vitamin B12 is a water-soluble nutrient involved in the development of red blood cells, maintenance of nerves and normal brain function. It is mainly found in animal foods, such as fish, meat, dairy products and eggs.
2. Creatine
Creatine is a molecule found in animal foods. Most of it is stored in muscles, but significant amounts are also concentrated in the brain. It functions as an easily-acessible energy reserve for muscle cells, giving them greater strength and endurance. For this reason, it is one of the world’s most popular supplements when it comes to muscle building.
3. Cholecalciferol (Vitamin D3)
There are two types of vitamin D in the diet, ergocalciferol (D2) found in plants, and cholecalciferol (D3) found in animal foods. Of the two types of vitamin D, cholecalciferol (from animals) is much more strong than ergocalciferol. In other words, it increases blood levels of bioactive vitamin D much more. The best sources of cholecalciferol are fatty fish and egg yolks.
4. Taurine
Taurine is a sulfur compound found in various body tissues, including the brain, heart and kidneys. Supplementation with taurine may have various benefits for heart health such as lowering cholesterol and blood pressure. Taurine is only found in animal foods such as fish, seafood, meat, poultry and dairy products.
5. Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA)
DHA is the most abundant Omega-3 fatty acid in the brain and it is critical for normal brain development. Low intakes of DHA can adversely affect various aspects of cognitive function and mental health, especially in children. It is also very important for women at a childbearing age, because a woman’s Omega-3 status can have profound effects on the brain of the offspring. The best source of DHA is fatty fish.
Vegetarians and vegans may need to supplement with some of them in order to maintain optimal health. If you're convinced a vegan diet is right for you, then at bare minimum consider a program of supplementation to get the nutrients you can't get from your diet.
Here are some nutrients that are only found in animal meat.
1. Vitamin B12
Vitamin B12 is an essential nutrient found in virtually no plant foods. Also known as cobalamin, vitamin B12 is a water-soluble nutrient involved in the development of red blood cells, maintenance of nerves and normal brain function. It is mainly found in animal foods, such as fish, meat, dairy products and eggs.
2. Creatine
Creatine is a molecule found in animal foods. Most of it is stored in muscles, but significant amounts are also concentrated in the brain. It functions as an easily-acessible energy reserve for muscle cells, giving them greater strength and endurance. For this reason, it is one of the world’s most popular supplements when it comes to muscle building.
3. Cholecalciferol (Vitamin D3)
There are two types of vitamin D in the diet, ergocalciferol (D2) found in plants, and cholecalciferol (D3) found in animal foods. Of the two types of vitamin D, cholecalciferol (from animals) is much more strong than ergocalciferol. In other words, it increases blood levels of bioactive vitamin D much more. The best sources of cholecalciferol are fatty fish and egg yolks.
4. Taurine
Taurine is a sulfur compound found in various body tissues, including the brain, heart and kidneys. Supplementation with taurine may have various benefits for heart health such as lowering cholesterol and blood pressure. Taurine is only found in animal foods such as fish, seafood, meat, poultry and dairy products.
5. Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA)
DHA is the most abundant Omega-3 fatty acid in the brain and it is critical for normal brain development. Low intakes of DHA can adversely affect various aspects of cognitive function and mental health, especially in children. It is also very important for women at a childbearing age, because a woman’s Omega-3 status can have profound effects on the brain of the offspring. The best source of DHA is fatty fish.
Vegetarians and vegans may need to supplement with some of them in order to maintain optimal health. If you're convinced a vegan diet is right for you, then at bare minimum consider a program of supplementation to get the nutrients you can't get from your diet.