As Vitamin B12 comes only from animal products, a strict vegan has a choice; he can either take a supplement, or he can eventually die from nerve degeneration. End of story. That being said, a vegetarian diet has a lot to offer; it is much lower in fat and calories than meat-based diets, it's cholesterol free, and aside from Vitamin B12 it is capable of supplying all of the body's required nutrients. Some nutrients, such as calcium and iron, can be problematic, but it is usually possible to work around such problems with a little research and planning.
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