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Nutritional risks of vegan diets to women and children: Are they preventable?

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Abstract

The potential health risks of vegan diets specifically for women and children are discussed. Women and children are at higher risk of malnutrition from consumption of unsupplemented vegan diets than are adult males. Those who are very young, pregnant, lactating, elderly, or who suffer from poverty, disease or other environmentally induced disadvantages are at special risk. The size of these risks is difficult to quantify from existing studies. Fortunately the risk of dietary deficiency disease can be avoided and the potential health benefits of vegan diets can be realized when diets for these groups are planned in line with theRecommended Dietary Allowances so that nutrient intakes reach or exceed recommended levels, and access to preventive and curative health services is assured.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. New England Medical Center, Tufts University Schools of Medicine and Nutrition, and Frances Stern Nutrition Center, 02111, Boston, Massachusetts, USA

    Johanna Dwyer

  2. Tufts University School of Veterinary Medicine and Tufts Biotechnology Corporation, Boston, Massachusetts, USA

    Franklin M. Loew

  3. Tufts University School of Veterinary Medicine and Tufts Biotechnology Corporation, North Grafton, Massachusetts, USA

    Franklin M. Loew

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  1. Johanna Dwyer
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  2. Franklin M. Loew
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Dwyer, J., Loew, F.M. Nutritional risks of vegan diets to women and children: Are they preventable?. J Agric Environ Ethics 7, 87–109 (1994). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01997226

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