“Advice For Vegetarians!”

Posted by drgracesun on June 12, 2009 under Cancer Prevention, Cardiovascular System, General Dental Knowledge, Healthy Smile, Information, Smart Smile | Be the First to Comment

The vegetarian diet can be very beneficial in many ways: the choice to be vegetarian has been shown to help fight illness and disease, vegetarians help the environment and make positive impacts in their carbon footprints. The diet, consisting especially of whole grain, fruits, vegetables, nuts and legumes can lower the risk of obesity, heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes and certain cancers. For these reasons, many people are choosing to become vegetarian, however, the nutritional deficiencies that sometime result from the vegetarian diet can often  reveal themselves during dental exams.

Even though we assume that vegetarians are well aware of what goes into their body (and are well versed in keeping proper nutritional habits up), it’s easy for vegetarians to become malnourished – especially young vegetarians under the age of 18. Common vegetarian deficiencies include calcium, iron, zinc, vitamin D, riboflavin, vitamin B12 or complete proteins. The good news is that by eating the proper combination of fruits, nuts, vegetables, grains and legumes, these deficiencies can be avoided. If you have youngsters on vegetarian diets, be sure to instill the importance of a balanced diet, and the seriousness of vitamin deficiencies, which can cause illness and other systemic problems, including dental maladies.

“An adult on a vegetarian diet for a prolonged period can be at increased risk for periodontal (gum) disease from a lack of vitamin D and calcium,” says Dr. Leibsohn of the Academy of General Dentistry (AGD). For this reason, it is very important that any adult (or parent of any child) considering “the green gateway” should first consult with their dietitian or dental professional. The specific diet you or your loved ones may be undertaking could have key deficiencies which could lead to serious health problems down the road. For example, a vitamin D deficiency can actually make your teeth and gums more susceptible to decay and periodontal disease. Vitamin D is produced in the body with sun exposure, so deficiencies are rare, but deficiencies can develop in those who do not consume milk or fish. Adding vegetable margarine or soy milk may help, though a better idea is to supplement the vegetarian diet with a weekly salmon steak, tuna salad and/or low fat cheese, milk or yogurt to supply a healthy foundation for your body and smile.