Vegetarian diets are nutritious and provide added health benefits, according to Australian study

New research published in the Medical Journal of Australia (MJA), contradicts the widely-held belief that a vegetarian diet lacks sufficient protein and iron. Instead the study found that vegetarians get adequate levels of protein, iron and zinc, and are less likely to suffer from heart disease, colorectal cancer, type 2 diabetes and obesity. While vegetarians got less omega-3, commonly found in fish, the study found they were not clinically deficient. Vegans were found to be lacking in B12, which aids in the formation of blood cells and keeps nerves functioning, but the researchers pointed out that this could be remedied by eating B12-fortified foods or taking a daily B12 supplement. In an article accompanying the research papers, Nutritionist Rosemary Stanton said: “The evidence is quite good that people who follow a vegetarian diet are likely to have less heart disease, less colorectal cancer, less type-2 diabetes and they’re less likely to be obese.” She also said there were no significant health differences in babies born to vegetarian mothers and no noticeable differences in the development of vegetarian children compared to children who ate meat.