Some elderly individuals, fearing an increase in blood fat levels, have long avoided salty dishes in their meals, and some even believe that vegetarianism promotes longevity. However, according to nutrition experts, a strictly vegetarian diet may not necessarily be beneficial for health.
The Deputy Head of the Nutrition Department at the Zhongshan Nutrition Institute, affiliated with Fudan University, Mr. Cao
 |
(Photo: saomainet) |
indicated that a long-term vegetarian diet can lead to deficiencies in iron, vitamin B12, and protein, all of which are essential for the formation of red blood cell tissues in the body.
Moreover, a year-round vegetarian diet can also lead to low blood fat levels—nutrients that are essential for our bodies and fundamental to the functioning of tissue cells that affect white blood cell activity. For the elderly, these factors can have particularly adverse effects on health.
Professor Wang Diao Yuan from Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine also emphasized that food should be categorized based on its properties—cooling, warming, or neutral—according to the differing needs of the human body. He classified the human body into six types, each corresponding to different foods, but stressed that a balanced intake of both vegetarian and non-vegetarian options is crucial. Any significant imbalance should be avoided, as physical health issues can arise from irregular and improper eating habits.
GIA LIÊM
