BECOMING VEGAN, IS IT HEALTHY?

I'm not against anything for I believe in moderation in all things and for some people they have no option but to use soya milk in their diet. One of my own daughters developed a cows' milk sensitivity after a severe viral illness as a toddler and we had no option but to give her soya. As Dr, Nestor Demosthenous says below it is deficient in calcium and to make up for this I had to supplement her diet with sesame seeds which I might add are the richest  source of calcium but I am diversifying. As human beings we are not biologically designed to be vegans.

There might be some advantages of a vegan diet:

It may help lower cholesterol,  One study into Diabetes carried out in 2007 showed that people with Type 2 diabetes who adopted a vegan diet reduced their LDL (low density lipoprotein) cholesterol by 21 percent 

It may help lower blood pressure:  vegetarian eating is linked with decreased risk of death from ischemic heart disease. The report also concluded that people who eat a vegetarian diet tend to have lower LDL levels and less incidence of hypertension and Type 2 diabetes in comparison to non-vegetarians. Further studies need to be carried out for Veganism.

It increases antioxidant intake: Vegan eating usually increases intake of wholesome foods such as vegetables, fruits, beans, legumes and whole grains, which are a high source of antioxidants vitamins and minerals, and of course fibre.

There are I would say more disadvantages of a vegan diet:

For eating a vegan diet is a  radical change: eating becomes complicated if you are not allowed to eat certain ingredients

There can be potential interference with existing medical conditions: If you have a condition such as osteoporosis or diabetes, it is essential to get your doctor’s advice and a registered dietitian when starting  a vegan diet.

It can be difficult when dining out: Not many restaurants offer true vegan choices and often confuse Vegans with Vegetarians

 

There is the loss of essential vitamins and minerals: There is evidence to show vegan diets do not contain vitamin B12, an essential nutrient only found in animal products. Though some vegan products do add it as a supplement

Lastly unrealistic expectations: "A person might believe that by becoming vegan they are making themselves healthier but unless you have a good basic knowledge you may be doing the opposite. At the moment there isn’t enough data to state a vegan diet is the healthiest

As with anything in life there has to be a balance to get the best out of your body you have to treat it well, eat a nutritious diet, drink plenty of water, regular exercise and of course give up smoking and avoid exposure to UV light whether it’s from the sun or a tanning bed. The two latter smoking and UV light are the worst culprits for damaging the skin

Article Below is from the DAILY MAIL

Is your soya latte ruining your FACE? Doctor reveals how a dairy-free diet can wreak havoc with your skin and bone structure

• Cosmetic doctor Dr Nestor Demosthenous highlights the pitfalls of going vegan
• Says a lack of calcium - and being exposed to added sugar - can wreak havoc with your skin and even your bone structure if you decided to cut out milk
• Some soya lattes will contain added sugar to match naturally-sweet cows' milk

By UNITY BLOTT FOR MAILONLINE

Each year more and more Brits undertake a virtuous vegan January in pursuit of healthier lifestyle.

But while dairy-free drinks might seem like a great alternative to cow's milk, is your soya latte actually doing more harm than good?

This year, as an estimated 50,000 of us try out 'Veganuary', a leading cosmetic doctor has warned that eschewing animal products can wreak havoc with your skin and even your bone structure.

Scroll down for video 

In some cases, going dairy-free can mean missing out on the regular dose of calcium that many of us get from drinking cow's milk in takeaway coffees, on cereal, and in cups of tea 

Dr Nestor Demosthenous says a lack of calcium - and being exposed to added sugars - are the main culprits.

The aesthetic doctor and specialist in non-surgical procedures, who also works from Harley Street’s PHI Clinic, ran FEMAIL through some of the potential pitfalls going vegan can have on your skin.

ADDED SUGAR 

'If you've gone dairy-free this January and are feeling suitably smug about your soya milk, consider this: soya milk is often sweetened with sugar (up to 12g of it per carton!) to match it to naturally-sweet cows' milk.'

Some soya milk will list 'evaporated cane juice’ as an ingredient which also contains sugar.

'Not only is this not ideal for your teeth or your waistline, but it can have a major effect on your face too,' explains Dr Nestor.

Going for a soya latte? Cosmetic doctor Dr Nestor Demosthenous says a lack of calcium - and being exposed to added sugars - can wreak havoc with your skin and even your bone structure

'Sugar molecules bind to proteins such as collagen in the skin, which causes a loss of firmness and the start of premature wrinkles forming.

'As collagen breaks down, skin becomes less elastic, thinner and drier. We lose our even skin tone. This all contributes to a dull, aged complexion.' 

Dr Nestor adds: 'This lack of collagen can affect the face in different areas. Losing the fullness in the cheeks and forehead is another side effect of the loss of collagen, which usually happens naturally as we age, but can be aggravated and accelerated by external factors.

Dr Nestor is an aesthetic doctor and specialist in non-surgical procedures

'The cheeks can atrophy [waste away] and fall down our face, deepening nasolabial folds and marionette lines, which gives us a sad look to the face.'

Dr Nestor suggests combating these effects by snapping up products containing ingredients like grapefruit oil (such as Ermana's Cleanse Balm) or vitamin C (like ZO Skin Health Ossential C-Bright Serum).

In severe cases, he suggests Botox and fillers as a way to lift the face and give skin a 'youthful boost'. 

LACK OF CALCIUM 

In some cases, going dairy-free can mean missing out on the regular dose of calcium (adults aged 19+ need 700mg a day according to NHS guidelines) that many of us get from drinking cow's milk - in takeaway coffees, on cereal, in that last cup of tea before bedtime.

And this lack of calcium can exacerbate the signs of ageing, according to Dr Nestor. 

'In the same way that our body loses bone density, so does our face,' he explains. 'Eye sockets expand, which makes the eyes look deep set, sunken and tired.

CELEBS GO VEGAN 

This is the fourth official year of the Veganuary campaign and, according to its organisers, it has grown from a mere 3,000 participants in 2014 to around 12,800 in 2015.

Its surge in popularity is due in part to high-profile vegans Beyoncé, Gwyeth Paltrow, Brad Pitt and Ellie Goulding, who have all raved about the benefits of an animal-free diet.

In 2013, Gwyneth famously boasted that she hadn't eaten red meat in 20 years, while Brad Pitt is an ardent animals rights activist. 

'There are two dynamics that happen in the ageing face, which can be exacerbated by dietary choices: bone expansion and bone resorption. We lose bone density in the maxilla and mandible [upper and lower jawbone respectively]. 

'This causes an appreciable reduction in facial height and a moderate increase in facial width and depth.' 

If you're concerned about keeping your jawbone defined and your face looking youthful, Dr Nestor recommends upping your calcium fix and opting for unsweetened milk - but a more extreme solution is to get fillers in the cheek, chin and under-eye area.

However if you've decided on a dairy-free diet, all is not lost: 'Calcium intake can be boosted with plentiful green vegetables such as broccoli, spinach and kale, as well as almonds, figs and oranges,' says Dr Nestor. 

'For those who are cutting out major food groups, it's key to replace those lost vitamins and minerals wherever you can, for the good of your health, and of course, for the good of your skin.'

THE BENEFITS OF GOING VEGAN

There may be drawbacks but nutritionist Lily Soutter and Jane Land, the founder of Veganuary - the annual drive for people to try veganism in January - say there are plenty of benefits too.

WEIGHT LOSS

'There is ample research to suggest that vegan diets can be effective for weight loss,' says Lily.

'In one study, those following a vegan diet lost 2.52kg more weight than those following an omnivore or vegetarian diet. But the most interesting aspect of the study was that the vegan diets lead to a greater weight loss than the calorie-controlled diet, despite the vegan groups eating until they were full.

'It is likely that this effect is down to the rich fibre content of vegan diets. Fibre can delay stomach emptying, which balances blood sugar and delays feelings of hunger.'

REDUCED RISK OF CANCER

Jane says: 'Vegan diets tend to be higher in fibre, which decreases the risk of colorectal cancer. In 2015, the World Health Organisation classified the consumption of red meat as carcinogenic to humans. This association was observed mainly for colorectal cancer, but associations were also seen for pancreatic cancer and prostate cancer.'

LOWER RISK OF HEART DISEASE

'High blood pressure is a significant risk factor for heart disease,' says Jane. 'In 2012, a cross sectional study in Public Health Nutrition compared the blood pressure of non-vegetarians, semi vegetarians, pescatarians, and vegans. The results showed that vegans had the lowest risk for high blood pressure.'

REDUCED RISK OF ARTHRITIS

'Studies have shown that arthritis suffers who are following a vegan diet may experience less joint pain and swelling,' says Lily. 

LESS LIKELY TO DIE

Jane says: 'A recent study conducted by experts at the prestigious Oxford University's Oxford Martin School have found that by 2050, widespread adoption of plant-based diets would avert 8.1 million premature human deaths every year.'

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