Last Updated on 8 months by Isreal Olabanji DST RN
Due to various studies that show the benefits of going vegan, many people have been adopting plant-based diets. While most people have trouble eliminating their need for meat products, they are slowly removing portions of meat from their dishes in exchange for healthier plant alternatives. However, there are still others with the misconception that becoming vegan will not give you the body’s complete protein requirements. Although animal-based proteins have high concentrations of essential amino acids, you can also get these same amounts from a plant-based protein supplement.
When you switch to vegan, you will find yourself getting healthier with a lot of health benefits. However, note that not all nutrients can be obtained from plant-based dishes. Vegans, especially the bodybuilders and athletes, still need to get other nutrients aside from the dishes they prepare per meal. Here are the following dietary supplements that vegans will need.
Omega 3 Fatty Acids
Omega 3 Essential Fatty Acids are typically derived from fish products. However, they can get similar fatty acids by adding hemp, flax seeds, and chia seeds into their diets. These will supply the body with higher levels of alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), which the body will then convert into Omega 3 fatty acids. However, the conversion rate of omega-three fatty acids from plant-based sources is very low, which means that you have to ingest high amounts of seeds to get adequate amounts. Fortunately, the advancement in food preparation technology has made it possible for manufacturers to derive isolates from seeds that contain high amounts of omega-three acids.
Branched Chain Amino Acids
Branched Chain Amino Acids or BCAA are made up of isoleucine, leucine, and valine, three of the nine essential amino acids. These amino acids cannot be produced naturally by the body and are therefore acquired from food sources. The body needs these BCAAs for catabolism processes within the muscles. If the body lacks BCAAs during a workout, it will utilise the BCAA reserves within the muscles. When this happens, a person may suffer from muscle loss.
Most BCAA supplements are made from cartilages or ligaments from animal sources, such as duck feathers. When people are aware of where animal BCAA supplements come from, they may find it unappealing. On the other hand, plant-based protein supplements rich in BCAAs are obtained from the fermentation of plant matter.
The debate between animal-based protein and plant-based protein has long been in existence. However, several studies reveal that incorporating more plant-based protein into your diets is more beneficial than animal protein. When you consider the individual amino acids that animal protein provides, you will find them better than what plant-protein can offer. However, the problem with ingesting meat and animal-based products are the other chemicals that can adversely affect an individual’s health.
On the other hand, consuming plant-based protein and going completely vegan is beneficial to both the body and the planet. Nevertheless, when you go vegan, you must be aware of the types and amounts of nutrients you ingest since you may end up lacking some nutrients. Therefore, it is best practice to consult with a nutritionist to determine if you are getting enough nutrients from your diet program and check whether or not you need to add plant-based protein supplements in your diet.
Author Bio:
Sylvia James is a copywriter and content strategist. She helps businesses stop playing around with content marketing and start seeing the tangible ROI. She loves writing as much as she loves the cake.
