Why foods derived from animals are not necessary for human health

This chapter describes the evidence that vegan diets can be a healthy choice provided certain known issues are addressed, particularly vitamin B₁₂. Other nutrients are reviewed leading to the conclusion that appropriately planned vegan diets are nutritionally adequate in the light of current, well developed, nutritional science. The oldest vegan organization still in existence was founded in 1944. This was not the first attempt at veganism, but unlike earlier attempts, including by Mohandas K Gandhi, it has endured. In many Western countries, dairy products are the main source of dietary calcium. Vegan calcium intakes can be low, particularly if there is little use of fortified plant milks. A meta-analysis found vegans to have about 6% lower bone mineral density than omnivores, which is equivalent to about a 10% increase in fracture risk. Vegan children have been examined, though in smaller numbers than in the recent studies of death rates.