General principles
Vegetarianism (from the Latin word vegetarius - "plant") is a system of power based on the restriction or exclusion of food of animal origin. In addition, vegetarianism involves a certain way of life and thinking, preaching humane attitude to all living things ("live and let live").
Different interpretations of the basic principle of vegetarianism led to the emergence of several differing from other systems vegetarian food.
Strict vegetarianism (veganism) in the diet adherents of this trend is only food of plant origin. Excluded not only meat, eggs, fish, eggs, and dairy products, and even honey.
- Lactovegetarians - lacto-vegetarian vegetarianism, got its name from the Latin word lactic - "milk". In addition to plant foods in the diet of lactovegetarians includes dairy products.
- Ovolactovegetarians - milk-egg-vegetable vegetarianism, in which plant foods combined with milk, dairy products and eggs.
The arguments of the proponents of vegetarianism
The first argument. The way modern life is characterized by excessive consumption of animal food and physical inactivity (lack of exercise), resulting in "diseases of civilization" - obesity, atherosclerosis, coronary heart disease, etc. At the same time, vegetarians do not suffer from overweight, they are much less likely to develop coronary heart disease and diabetes type II. (In this disease, the cells of organs and tissues stop responding to the insulin produced by the pancreas, increases blood glucose levels. Diabetes type II diabetes usually develops after 40 fly overweight people.)
Nobody argues about the benefits of vegetables and fruits in our menu. Rational balanced diet implies a harmonious ratio in the diet of vegetable and animal food. When this harmful bias both in one and in the other direction, especially in the diet of children, as will be discussed below.
The second argument.
Man is originally herbivorous creature, and his body is able to process plant foods with the education of all necessary for vital substances.
This statement is fundamentally wrong. The structure of the organs and systems of the human body (primarily gastrointestinal), and the nature of its metabolic processes indicate that the person occupies an intermediate position between herbivorous and carnivorous animals. That is, biologically man is omnivorous. Herbivores, such as cattle, have different structure of the gastrointestinal tract. Their stomach has four chambers in the human stomach chamber, like all carnivores). The relative length of the intestines of herbivorous animals more than humans. At the same time, some features of the structure of the intestines of humans and herbivores similar. For example, vermiform Appendix (Appendix) is reminiscent of the extended part of the small intestine of herbivores, which, however, this expansion has a much greater relative sizes. The special structure of the stomach herbivores ensures the existence of one of its chambers, which is called "scar", the characteristic microflora, are able to synthesize amino acids. In humans, normal contents of the stomach is a very acidic environment, detrimental to bacteria. The list of differences goes on and on.
How to feed the child
Can a vegetarian diet be the basis of baby food? When considering how to feed your baby, it is first necessary to consider that its power should be physiological.
In plant foods vitamin D is practically absent.
Physiological nutrition software with the help of the diet of normal for this age of life of the child's growth and development. At an early age are particularly concerned about nutritional growth and development of the nervous system, including brain development, bone tissue, blood vessels, skeletal muscle and cardiac muscle, glands of internal secretion. Insufficient provision of an organism of the child or other nutrients, vitamins and trace elements can cause disturbances in the formation of intelligence, musculoskeletal, or connective tissue in General, reproductive and other nutrition in childhood affects the timing of the forthcoming human life, determining the nature of the diseases in adult age.
Why is it harmful?
The system of vegetarianism unacceptable for baby food for a variety of reasons
1. The lack of animal protein leads to the deficiency of essential amino acids. Amino acids are the "building blocks" from which the protein. Essential amino acids are those that cannot be synthesized in the body from other amino acids and can only be obtained from food. Without them the body cannot synthesize protein for building tissues and organs, synthesis of enzymes and hormones. The most vulnerable group of the population in relation to the lack of protein are children, especially under the age of 4 years. The shortage of animal protein leads to the development of protein-energy malnutrition, manifested by a delay in physical and mental development, impaired functions of all organs and systems, lower immunity.
The extreme expression of protein energy malnutrition is a disease kwashiorkor, common among children in the poorest countries of Africa. After weaning, the food base of children of this region is plant food - animal protein they do not receive. The disease is manifested by a delay in physical development, depletion, widespread edema, skin discoloration, malabsorption of nutrients from the intestines, mental disorders; such children have a characteristic appearance: they have thin legs and arms, a disproportionate (edema) belly.
2. Only meat contains iron in an easily digestible for the human form. In many foods of plant origin has a sufficient amount of iron, but it is not digested by the human body in full. For comparison: from rice grains absorbed about 1% of the iron contained therein, and legumes - 5-7%. At the same time, veal body gets 17-21% of iron, from fish - 9-11%. Recall that iron plays a huge role in the process of hematopoiesis, and is part of many enzymes necessary for normal functioning of cells and tissues. The need for iron in children than adults, so the exclusion of food of animal origin leads to the development of anemia.
3. With the exception of food of animal origin may develop a deficiency of b vitamins. First of all, it refers to vitamin B12, and vitamin B6. Vitamin B12 (ciankobalamin) enters the human body mainly from animal products: meat, fish, milk. Function of vitamins is to stimulate hematopoiesis, immunity support, enhancing protein synthesis. The ciankobalamin and pyridoxine (vitamin B6) is essential for the normal functioning of the nervous system. Insufficient intake of vitamin B12 is developing a special type of anemia (pernicious anemia), immunodeficiency States, diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. Even a slight lack of b vitamins leads to dysfunction of the peripheral nervous system, spinal cord and brain, which manifests itself in children with retarded mental and physical development. Also may cause fatigue, headaches, dizziness, depression.
4. Animal products are the main source of zinc. Zinc is a trace element that has an effect on all kinds of metabolic processes in the body, as it is part of many enzymes and hormone, insulin necessary for glucose uptake. Zinc is involved in the formation of nucleic acids and proteins, as a growth promoter. A large number of zinc enters the body with products such as beef, pork, chicken eggs. Plant foods also contain this mineral, but there can be insufficient for the growing organism. When zinc deficiency can retard growth, delayed sexual maturation, affected skin and mucous membranes, hair loss begins.
5. Vitamin D is particularly necessary for children under the age of 3-4 years. During this period most rapidly is the process of bone formation, rapidly developing nervous system. Vitamin D produced in the skin under the influence of sunlight (UV radiation), and also enters the body with animal food, which is especially important in autumn, winter and spring. The greatest amount of vitamin D found in cod liver oil, Atlantic herring, fish oil, eggs, milk, butter. In plant foods vitamin D is practically absent. At deficiency of vitamin D in early childhood develops rickets (in children under 2 years of age in the prevention of this disease is carried out with the help of vitamin D). At an older age deficit condition is manifested by increased fragility of bones, disruption of normal growth and skeletal development, the deterioration of the teeth, weakening of the immune system.
6. Vegetarians are most often the deficiency of cholesterol. Cholesterol is a fat-like substance; 2/3 of its total number is synthesized in the liver from incoming dietary food products of animal origin (meat, fish, butter, milk, eggs and other). In humans, cholesterol performs several key functions: is the material for building cell membranes and certain components of cells and is involved in the synthesis of hormones. At deficiency of cholesterol interferes with the normal development of the reproductive (genital) system, reduced bone density and broken teeth, because cholesterol is involved in the synthesis of the hormone cortisol, which plays an important role in calcium and phosphate metabolism. Prolonged deficiency of cholesterol causes damage to the retina and optic nerve.
In conclusion, I would like to note that the UN Convention on the rights of the child, which is the international legal instrument that gives the child the right to receive complete and balanced nutrition. The principles of such power on the basis of large-scale studies and multi-faceted discussion were approved by the world health organization. According to the vegetarian diet is not physiological, i.e. cannot be used on an ongoing basis as the power supply system for children of any age.
Author:
Elincia N., pediatrician
Source:
Mother and baby
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