Vegetarianism and veganism are increasingly attracting adherents seeking non-animal sacrifice food. This healthy diet, however, needs to be done with nutritional monitoring so that no type of vitamin is lacking in your body. One of them, the B12, can cause serious long term damage.

This is what happened to a Chinese girl identified only by the surname Chen: At age 50, she has severe spinal cord damage. Thirty years ago, when he weighed 55kg and was 1.60 m tall, Chen decided to go on a vegetarian diet to lose weight. The result was so satisfying that the woman decided to abolish the meat of her life - she has kept 45 kg since she changed her habits.

Chinese woman develops serious spinal cord problem

Turns out Chen did it all without any nutritional monitoring. It is common for vegans and vegetarians to replenish animal vitamins through supplements, but this was not the case with China. The level of vitamin B12 identified in Chen's body was only 10% of that indicated for his age.

Lack of this vitamin can lead to mental disorders, anemia and nerve damage. In the spinal cord, sensory confusion can spread to other areas of the body - in Chen's case, she felt tingling in her arms and legs! Medical tests showed that his health was similar to that of an undernourished person, so his spinal cord nerve was so weakened. If she took longer to seek help, she could even be paralyzed!

Woman had only 10% of vitmania B12 indicated as ideal

To learn more about vegetarianism and veganism:

• Vegans! Who are? What do you eat? What don't they do? Find out now
• What would happen to the planet if no one else ate meat?
• Studies point to the benefits of vegetarianism for the skin
• Vegetarians Can Live Longer, Study Finds
• Vegetarian Diets Really Lower Bad Cholesterol