Vegetarian diet is gaining more and more popularity in this day and age. In a nutshell, vegetarians are those who do not eat meat, fish or poultry. They focus on plant for food. Many people become vegetarians because of health, ecological concerns, religious reasons, concern for animals and conviction against violence.
The American Dietetic Association confirmed that the vegetarian diet meets all nutritional requirements. However, certain nutrients including protein, calcium, zinc, iron and vitamin B12 are ones that can be found abundantly only on meat sources. Although there are substitute made for vegetarians to meet the need for this nutrients, it does not change the fact that they are still undernourished. This is why vegetarian diet is often criticized and becomes a precursor for various health issues. One of them is infertility. Infertility refers to the inability of a couple to conceive after 1 year of unprotected sex.
A high incidence of infertility is recorded among strict vegans. A study was conducted and it has been found that vegetarian women had significant interference in their menstrual cycles. Aside from that, maternal undernutritionaffects the ability of a woman not only to conceive but to carry it into its full term, delivering it normally and even breastfeeding.
The following are documented causes of infertility associated with vegetarian lifestyle:
1. Protein-energy Malnutrition (PEM)
PEM is a condition wherein the body is severely depleted from protein. Vegetarians do not get enough protein from plants. Vegetarians get their protein from plant sources only. Proteins from plant sources are generally called incomplete proteins while those that come from animal source s such as red meat, poultry, fish, seafoods, egg and dairy products are considered as complete proteins.
Protein is a very important substance in the body. Amino acids, the basic structure of protein serves as the building blocks of cells and tissues of the body. Hormones like estrogen are also made up of proteins. Hormones are essential for procreation. Without the efficient interplay of hormones, fertilization would not be possible.
2. Pernicious Anemia
Another danger vegans are at risk of is pernicious anemia. Pernicious anemia is a disease where red blood cells (RBCs )are abnormally formed because of lack of Vitamin B12 in the diet or the inherent inability of the body to absorb Vitamin B12. Although some researches claim that this vitamin can be found in legumes in miniscule amounts, main sources of this vitamin is from red and organ meats.
RBCs carry and deliver oxygen to the different parts of the body. With abnormally-formed RBCs, this function is not properly carried out. This compromises many body functions including reproductive processes. This eventually leads to infertility.
3. Metabolic Syndrome
Another culprit of infertility among vegans is metabolic syndrome. This condition is multi-faceted and it affects several bodily processes. It is also related to the excessive consumption of dietary carbohydrates. Plants are the main sources of simple and complex carbohydrates, sugar and starches. Obesity, hypertension and type 2 diabetes are effects metabolic syndrome that can be linked to male infertility.
Studies showed that men with metabolic syndrome have decreased sperm counts, abnormally-formed and weak sperms as wells reduced sperm motility. Sperm count and motility are main characteristics of a sperm that are vital in the reproduction process. If these issues are exacerbated, then it can lead to infertility.
The American Dietetic Association confirmed that the vegetarian diet meets all nutritional requirements. However, certain nutrients including protein, calcium, zinc, iron and vitamin B12 are ones that can be found abundantly only on meat sources. Although there are substitute made for vegetarians to meet the need for this nutrients, it does not change the fact that they are still undernourished. This is why vegetarian diet is often criticized and becomes a precursor for various health issues. One of them is infertility. Infertility refers to the inability of a couple to conceive after 1 year of unprotected sex.
A high incidence of infertility is recorded among strict vegans. A study was conducted and it has been found that vegetarian women had significant interference in their menstrual cycles. Aside from that, maternal undernutritionaffects the ability of a woman not only to conceive but to carry it into its full term, delivering it normally and even breastfeeding.
The following are documented causes of infertility associated with vegetarian lifestyle:
1. Protein-energy Malnutrition (PEM)
PEM is a condition wherein the body is severely depleted from protein. Vegetarians do not get enough protein from plants. Vegetarians get their protein from plant sources only. Proteins from plant sources are generally called incomplete proteins while those that come from animal source s such as red meat, poultry, fish, seafoods, egg and dairy products are considered as complete proteins.
Protein is a very important substance in the body. Amino acids, the basic structure of protein serves as the building blocks of cells and tissues of the body. Hormones like estrogen are also made up of proteins. Hormones are essential for procreation. Without the efficient interplay of hormones, fertilization would not be possible.
2. Pernicious Anemia
Another danger vegans are at risk of is pernicious anemia. Pernicious anemia is a disease where red blood cells (RBCs )are abnormally formed because of lack of Vitamin B12 in the diet or the inherent inability of the body to absorb Vitamin B12. Although some researches claim that this vitamin can be found in legumes in miniscule amounts, main sources of this vitamin is from red and organ meats.
RBCs carry and deliver oxygen to the different parts of the body. With abnormally-formed RBCs, this function is not properly carried out. This compromises many body functions including reproductive processes. This eventually leads to infertility.
3. Metabolic Syndrome
Another culprit of infertility among vegans is metabolic syndrome. This condition is multi-faceted and it affects several bodily processes. It is also related to the excessive consumption of dietary carbohydrates. Plants are the main sources of simple and complex carbohydrates, sugar and starches. Obesity, hypertension and type 2 diabetes are effects metabolic syndrome that can be linked to male infertility.
Studies showed that men with metabolic syndrome have decreased sperm counts, abnormally-formed and weak sperms as wells reduced sperm motility. Sperm count and motility are main characteristics of a sperm that are vital in the reproduction process. If these issues are exacerbated, then it can lead to infertility.