Does Eating Vegetarian Long-Term Increase the Risk of Developing Leukemia?

Factors Influencing Leukemia Risk from Long-term Vegetarianism

Whether long-term vegetarianism leads to leukemia is influenced by various factors, including specific dietary habits and past health conditions. Vegetarian diets may contain plant-based fats, animal-based fats, as well as various vitamins and minerals. Consuming a moderate amount of vegetarian food over an extended period can bring certain benefits to the body and generally does not cause leukemia. However, if a person eats a strictly vegetarian diet in large quantities for a long time and does not pay attention to balanced nutrition, it may lead to malnutrition and increase the risk of leukemia.

1. Plant-Based Fats: Excessive consumption of fried, grilled, and puffed foods can result in excessive fat intake. Prolonged and heavy vegetarianism may lead to obesity and increase the risk of hyperlipidemia, which could potentially lead to leukemia.

2. Animal-Based Fats: Foods such as pork fat, beef tallow, and sheep fat, when consumed in large quantities over a long period, can cause hyperlipidemia. Moreover, excessive intake of animal-based fats can elevate the risk of cardiovascular diseases and also increase the risk of leukemia.

3. Vitamins: Consuming large amounts of vegetarian foods rich in vitamins, like Vitamin A, D, and E, over an extended period may increase the incidence of diseases like myelodysplastic syndromes and malignant lymphomas, which in turn can elevate the risk of leukemia.

4. Minerals: Eating large quantities of foods like potatoes, sweet potatoes, and black fungus over a long period may lead to deficiencies in minerals such as iron, zinc, and magnesium, thereby increasing the risk of anemia. Additionally, deficiencies in trace elements can also elevate the risk of various diseases.

Prolonged and heavy vegetarianism can also impact immune function and increase the risk of infections. Therefore, it is recommended that individuals maintain a balanced diet, focusing on nutrient combinations. Fresh vegetables, fruits, and moderate amounts of meat, eggs, and dairy products should be included in the diet.