Malnutrition after 20 years of vegetarianism

Hanoi Ms. Huyen, 65 years old, weighs 38 kg, severely malnourished after 20 years of vegetarianism leading to malnutrition.

On November 15, Dr. Vu Thi Thanh, Head of the Department of Nutrition, Tam Anh General Hospital, Hanoi, said that the patient was tired, lost weight, had difficulty concentrating, and had yellow spots on the eyelids (xanthelasmas) - a sign of dyslipidemia.

Body composition analysis (muscle mass, fat mass, water content, basal energy metabolism) and other paraclinical tests showed that she was severely malnourished (lack of muscle mass throughout the body), with mild edema in both legs. Body mass index (BMI) was 16.7 (normal 18.5-24.9) with dyslipidemia.

According to Dr. Thanh, prolonged, incorrect and inadequate vegetarian diets are the main causes of malnutrition in patients. Patients' diets lack protein, while this is a group of substances that help maintain energy, muscles, and help cells fight aging. When eating insufficient protein, the body often feels tired, has insomnia, hair loss, and peeling skin...

The nutritionist prescribed nutritional medicine and created a menu to ensure adequate nutrition, and consulted with an internal medicine doctor to treat dyslipidemia. After two weeks, Ms. Huyen gained 2 kg, and her blood lipid index improved significantly.

Vegetarians do not eat meat, eggs, or drink milk. Dr. Thanh said that a proper vegetarian diet can bring many benefits to the body. However, vegetarian foods often have low energy levels and lack balance in nutrient groups. A diet that is not diverse in food and does not include the right portion can easily cause weight loss, reduced resistance, and infection.

Eating vegetarian food incorrectly and not enough will cause malnutrition. Photo: Freepik — Eating vegetarian food incorrectly and not enough will cause malnutrition. Photo: *Freepik*

The protein ratio in the body accounts for about 15-20% depending on each person's weight. Both animal protein (contained in meat, fish, eggs, milk) and vegetable protein (green beans, tofu, green vegetables, sunflower seeds) are necessary for the formation and development of the body.

There are many types of vegetarianism. Dr. Thanh recommends that vegetarians should choose the type that suits their physical condition, ensuring adequate supply of nutrients, especially protein, which is often found in beans. Elderly people and those with underlying medical conditions should not be vegetarians and need to supplement nutrients from animal sources to maintain their physical health. Elderly people should drink milk and dairy products to provide necessary protein and calcium. Limit cakes, fried potatoes, and fatty foods, and avoid fried and stir-fried foods...

People with underlying medical conditions should consult a doctor if they are vegetarian. If symptoms such as fatigue, weight loss, pale skin appear, they should go to a medical facility with a nutrition specialist for examination.

Viet An

* Patient's name has been changed

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