Compliment Your Diet with a Vegetarian Vitamin Supplement

According to recent studies, approximately 4-10% of the population of the United States consider themselves to be vegetarians. Vegetarians may exclude all meat and animal products or only some. Medical research verifies that vegetarians enjoy a reduced risk for high blood pressure and heart disease, obesity, and diabetes. Vegetarian diets may also help curtail the development of certain types of cancer.

Vegetarian diets may be among the healthiest in the world, but only if proper nutrition through balanced consumption of a wide variety of plant foods is maintained. For vegetarians who struggle to get enough protein, iron and other vitamins and nutrients typically found in animal products, a vegetarian vitamin supplement can be extremely beneficial.

How can you be sure your vegetarian diet contains enough nutrients to support optimal health? A nutritionist can help you design an eating plan that involves food combinations aimed at providing you with enough calcium, iron, protein, vitamin D, and zinc. These are the nutrients most commonly compromised when consumption of animal and dairy products is restricted, and they play a key role in promoting good health.

• Calcium: Calcium is important for strong bones and teeth. As you grow older, you may need to increase your intake of calcium significantly through supplementation to prevent or curtail bone loss. Kale, spinach, broccoli, legumes and soy are plant-food sources of calcium.


• Iron: Iron helps increase oxygen in blood cells. Avoid iron deficiency by taking a vegetarian vitamin supplement in addition to consuming whole food sources such as dried beans, dried fruit, egg yolks, and spinach.


• Proteins: Proteins are essential for proper muscle development and function. They also help support energy levels among other things. Vegetarians can consume protein by eating legumes, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, seeds, and soy.


• Vitamin D: Vitamin D is responsible for absorption of calcium. It plays and essential role in proper brain and central nervous system functioning as well as promoting the health of bones and teeth. Vitamins D to maintain proper brain function and nerve cells. Fortified cereals, dairy products and fish are good sources of Vitamin D. Vegetarians who do not consume fish or dairy products and have little or no access to sunlight may benefit from a Vitamin D supplement.


• Zinc: Every cell in the body contains zinc. In addition to numerous other roles, zinc is essential for supporting metabolic functioning and promotes a strong immune system. Legumes, nuts, grains and shellfish are great sources of zinc. Zinc supplementation may be of benefit to those consuming a vegetarian diet which excludes shellfish.

The benefits of a vegetarian vitamin supplement are far reaching. Vegetarians can make the most of their healthy diet by ensuring they take in enough vitamins and minerals to support optimum metabolic functioning, sustain energy levels, and maintain strong immune systems.