In:
Annals of Nutrition and Metabolism, S. Karger AG, Vol. 50, No. 6 ( 2006), p. 485-491
Abstract:
〈 i 〉 Background: 〈 /i 〉 A vegetarian diet is considered to promote health and longevity and reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases and cancer. However, a vegetarian diet may be deficient in some nutrients. Exclusion of animal products in vegetarian diets may affect the status of certain B-vitamins, and further cause the rise of plasma homocysteine concentration. 〈 i 〉 Objective: 〈 /i 〉 The nutritional status of various B-vitamins (B 〈 sub 〉 1 〈 /sub 〉 , B 〈 sub 〉 2 〈 /sub 〉 , B 〈 sub 〉 6 〈 /sub 〉 , B 〈 sub 〉 12 〈 /sub 〉 , folic acid) and the concentration of homocysteine in blood plasma of omnivores (n = 40), vegetarians (n = 36) and vegans (n = 42) in Austria was evaluated. 〈 i 〉 Methods: 〈 /i 〉 The evaluation was done using the functional parameters erythrocyte transketolase (ETK), glutathione reductase (EGR) and glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (EGOT) activation coefficients. Enzyme activity was measured photometrically. The quantity of vitamins B 〈 sub 〉 1 〈 /sub 〉 , B 〈 sub 〉 2 〈 /sub 〉 and B 〈 sub 〉 6 〈 /sub 〉 in urine and the concentrations of vitamin B 〈 sub 〉 6 〈 /sub 〉 and homocysteine in plasma were determined by HPLC methods with fluorescence detection. Plasma concentration of vitamin B 〈 sub 〉 12 〈 /sub 〉 and folic acid were measured with radioimmunoassay. 〈 i 〉 Results: 〈 /i 〉 Most of the subjects showed a satisfying vitamin B 〈 sub 〉 1 〈 /sub 〉 status. Vegans presented a significantly lower mean plasma vitamin B 〈 sub 〉 12 〈 /sub 〉 concentration than omnivores and vegetarians and deficiency in 2.4% of the volunteers but the highest mean value of plasma folate among the investigated groups. A deficient status of folate was found in 18% of omnivores and in approximately 10% of vegans and vegetarians. The status of riboflavin is considered to be deficient in about 10% of omnivores and vegetarians and in over 30% of vegans. According to the activation coefficient of GOT, approximately one third of all subjects showed vitamin B 〈 sub 〉 6 〈 /sub 〉 deficiency. Elevated homocysteine concentration in plasma was observed in 66% of the vegans and about 45–50% of the omnivores and vegetarians. Vegan subjects had significantly higher mean plasma homocysteine levels than omnivores. 〈 i 〉 Conclusion: 〈 /i 〉 Thiamin and folate need not be a problem in a well-planned vegan diet. Vitamins B 〈 sub 〉 12 〈 /sub 〉 and B 〈 sub 〉 2 〈 /sub 〉 may need attention in the strict vegan diet, especially regarding elevated homocysteine levels in plasma. Pyridoxine status appeared to be independent of the diet.
Type of Medium:
Online Resource
ISSN:
0250-6807
,
1421-9697
Language:
English
Publisher:
S. Karger AG
Publication Date:
2006
detail.hit.zdb_id:
1481977-6
