Vegetarian Diets: What are the Advantages?

Although vegetarian diets have been described as deficient in certain nutrients including protein, iron, zinc, calcium, vitamins B12 and A, certain omega-3 fatty acids, and iodine, other studies have shown that these deficiencies arise instead from inadequate meal planning. Well-planned and balanced vegetarian diets are appropriate for all stages of the life cycle, and in fact can be beneficial in the prevention and treatment of certain diseases including cardiovascular disease, hypertension, diabetes, cancer, osteoporosis, renal disease and dementia, diverticular disease, gallstones, and rheumatoid arthritis.

According to this article, the study of the influences of vegetarian diets are the focus of a new field of nutritional ecology that is related to sustainable life styles and human development.