Background

Vegetarian diets, such as the lacto-ovo-vegetarian or vegan diet, are diets that focus on eating plant products and avoiding or limiting animal products.

In lacto-ovo vegetarianism, meats are avoided, while milk and eggs are allowed. In the vegan diet, all animal products are avoided. Vegetarian diets usually involve eating lots of fruits and vegetables and are often high in fiber and low in fat. This might help people lose weight.

People use the vegetarian diet for diabetes, high blood pressure, and obesity. It is also used for athletic performance, heart disease, depression, high cholesterol, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support most of these uses.

Safety Safety definitions

When taken by mouth: The vegetarian diet is likely safe for most people. There's no reason to expect safety concerns as long as nutritional needs are met. Following a vegetarian diet can increase the risk for certain nutrient deficiencies, such omega-3 fatty acids, iron, zinc, calcium, vitamin D, and vitamin B12.

Special Precautions & Warnings:

Pregnancy and breast-feeding: The vegetarian diet is likely safe when pregnant or breast-feeding. There's no reason to expect safety concerns as long as nutritional needs are met. Following a vegetarian diet can increase the risk for certain nutrient deficiencies, such omega-3 fatty acids, iron, zinc, calcium, vitamin D, and vitamin B12.

Children: The vegetarian diet is likely safe for children as long as nutritional needs are met. Deficiencies of certain nutrients may be a concern, including omega-3 fatty acids, iron, zinc, calcium, vitamin D, and vitamin B12.

Iron deficiency: People who consume a vegetarian diet do not absorb as much iron as people who consume a non-vegetarian diet. If you consume a vegetarian diet, you might need to eat almost twice as much iron to meet your daily iron needs.

Weak bones: There is concern that people eating vegetarian diets have a greater risk of weak bones. Following a vegetarian diet might also increase the risk for thinner bones and bone fractures.

Effectiveness

Dosing & administration

Vegetarian diets involve eating more plant-based foods and fewer or no animal-based foods. There are many different types of vegetarian diets, some are stricter than others. For example, in lacto-ovo vegetarianism, meats are avoided, while milk and eggs are allowed. In the vegan diet, all animal products are avoided. The appropriate or safe use of a vegetarian diet depends on several factors, including adequate intake of certain nutrients. Be sure to seek and follow relevant directions from your physician or other healthcare professional before starting this diet.

Interactions with pharmaceuticals

It is not known if Vegetarian Diet interacts with any medicines.

Before using Vegetarian Diet, talk with your health professional if you take any medications.

Interactions with herbs & supplements

Iron: Meat and fish help the body to absorb iron. Following the vegetarian diet can decrease the amount of iron absorbed by the body.
Zinc: Phytate, a chemical found in plants, can decrease the amount of zinc absorbed by the body. People who follow a vegetarian diet might need to consume 50% more zinc than people who do not follow a vegetarian diet.

Interactions with foods

There are no known interactions with foods.