People who follow a vegan diet have lower levels of vitamin B12, iron, choline, and protein because these nutrients are not available in sufficient amounts from plant-based foods.
Strongly supported
Multiple high-quality studies back this claim.
Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a healthcare professional.
People who follow a vegan diet have lower levels of vitamin B12, iron, choline, and protein because these nutrients are not available in sufficient amounts from plant-based foods.
See the technical phrasing
Vegan diets consistently result in deficiencies in multiple essential nutrients including vitamin B12, iron, choline, and protein due to limited bioavailable sources.
Eating only plant foods means the body doesn't get enough vitamin B12, iron, choline, and protein in forms it can use. Without vitamin B12, the body can't make DNA properly or build the protective coating around nerves. Without enough iron, the body can't carry oxygen in blood. Without enough choline, the body can't make cell membranes or send signals in the brain. Without enough protein, the body can't build or repair tissues. These nutrients are either missing or locked in plant foods in forms the body cannot absorb well, so deficiencies develop over time.
What the research says
Supports
2 studies
Study: Vitamin B12 deficiency in an exclusively breastfed infant born to a vegan mother: a case report
A baby who only drank breast milk from a mom eating only plants got very sick because she didn't get enough vitamin B12, which plants don't provide. This shows vegan diets can lead to serious nutrient gaps.
Study: Life-threatening Manifestations of Vitamin B12 Deficiency in Infants on a Vegan Diet
This study shows that babies on vegan diets can get very sick from not getting enough vitamin B12 because plants don’t provide it naturally — and the same problem can happen with other important nutrients like iron and choline.
Contradicts
0 studies
Score breakdown, mechanism chain, raw evidence, ideal studies needed & 2 supporting studies