I’ve been vegan now for about 3 1/2 years plus I’ve been T1 juvenile diabetic for 28yrs. My energy level is good, my weight is good but I have noticed some very tight & achy joints that have developed over the past few years in my hips, legs back, shoulder, wrists & even knees and feet sometimes. plus my nails have gotten really weak & my hair seems to be getting thinner. I am active & workout 4-6 times a week plus try to stretch afterwards but it has gotten harder for some reason. My diet is pretty healthy, but it does fluctuate in things depending on my tastebuds. I recently started taking some supplements again like biotin, Vit B complex, B12, diamontous Earth, trace minerals & recently seen that glucosamine may help with the aching stiff joints. They seem to be so tight and achy all the time. Idk what I am missing. I keep asking myself Is vegan life for me or can I get what I would be getting from meat in another way. I’d just like to start feeling better in my body bc I really don’t want to go back to eating meat. I don’t consider myself old at all so I think something else needs to be addressed here & would like some others opinions & experiences pretty please. TYSM ❤️🙏
Vegan Nutritional Deficiency or Not? - Healthy Eating
Vegan Nutritional Deficiency or Not?
HI Dancinqtjo
Welcome to the Healthy eating forum. There are some information pages on NHS Choices about the Vegan diet - so that might be a good source of information for you to look at, and here is a link, if you wish to do so:
nhs.uk/live-well/eat-well/t...
Maybe consult with your GP with regard to your symptoms - as maybe a health check would be worthwhile having - to be on the safe side.
Zest 
Joint pain could be related to nutrient deficiencies, I would think it's worth your while to get a few things tested. In your case, I'd definitely want to check B12, ferritin and vitamin D, as they all cause the sorts of problems you're describing. Do you think your doctor would test them for you? If not, you can also pay for a home testing kit via sites such as Medichecks and Thriva. I get my levels tested once a year, and it's great!
Welcome to the group, Dancinqtjo . Please feel free to continue posting and commenting, asking questions, reading and replying to other member's postings/comments, take a look at the Topics/Events/Polls/Pinned Posts sections for some ideas and information. Also, feel free to meet the rest of the group members.
Have you discussed the issues with your Endocrinologist? What have your blood sugars been recently? If a Diabetic has high blood sugars consistantly, then they can start having Diabetic Complications ( eye, feet, hand, nerve, ect.). Here's the DRWF's free leaflets to read/listen to and/or download at anytime. Go to: drwf.org.uk/understanding-d...
You can also join both Diabetes India and the Diabetes Research and Wellness Foundation group(s) on HU. Go to: healthunlocked.com/diabetes... and healthunlocked.com/drwfdiab...
Click on the follow button for the groups and you can post postings and/or comments.
Hi, can you describe the kind of meals that you eat. A vegan lifestyle, like any lifestyle, can be a very healthy or unhealthy. For example just drinking water and eating Oreos is vegan, but no-one would survive on it! If you read posts from regular posters here you will see they recommend processed foods from your diet. The more real food you get inside you the healthier you will become. By real food I mean food you have cooked from basic ingredients.
If you're body has gut issues then I would recommend checking out gojimannutrition.com/ who helps troubleshoot digestive issues especially for people who follow a plant-based lifestyle.
Sorry to hear that your joints are painful..
I'm wondering if you're getting enough Magnesium?
I buy Epsom Salts for the bath as it's a great way to boost your intake without disturbing your guts (if you are sensitive to it) and it's great to soak in after a workout. You can buy this from most chemists and places like Superdrug.
You can also get a Magnesium spray. I can recommend this for aching muscles.
Be warned though - if your are deficient it may sting or make your skin itchy when you use it!
I also take Biotin as I had weak nails after having surgery to remove part of my guts. I'm pleased to say I have noticed a massive improvement!
I also have a 3 monthly B12 injection due to the surgery as I struggle to absorb enough.
I'm vegetarian. 😊
Gluten free vegan quinoa shortbread biscuits. 
