In addition to the inhibitory effect of phytic and oxalic acids, other factors also affect the provision of vegans and vegetarians with essential elements. Selenium comes predominantly from plant products. However, its content in plants depends on the concentration in soils, which varies considerably in different regions. The source of iodine is seafood. Studies show that all food groups are at high risk of iodine deficiency, but vegans and vegetarians are at greater. In addition, remoteness from the seacoast and the properties of agricultural soils also play a role in the status of iodine in the body. Currently, many countries are taking steps to prevent iodine deficiency (food fortification). Cobalt is part of vitamin B12, an essential micronutrient deficient in vegans and often even in vegetarians. In addition, cobalt is also a cofactor of other molecules. However, to date, data on the prevalence of cobalt deficiency is not enough for analysis. There is not enough information about the prevalence of molybdenum deficiency.
A brief review of the physiology of conditionally essential trace elements and their status among vegetarians and vegans is presented. To date, the biological role of conditionally essential trace elements has been studied much worse than the role of essential trace elements and, especially, macroelements. Nevertheless, they perform a number of important functions in the human body, and the development of their deficiency may lead to unpleasant consequences. Fluorine plays an important role in calcium-phosphorus metabolism and bone tissue development. In addition, it is necessary to maintain normal oral flora. With its deficiency, the risk of osteoporosis development increases while the resistance of tooth enamel to bacterial damage decreases. Despite the evidence that vegetarians are more likely to develop caries than omnivores, it is premature to conclude that they are poorly supplied with fluoride, primarily because drinking water is still the main source of fluoride. The most studied function of silicon is its involvement in the collagen synthesis. Thus, with silicon defi-ciency, the formation of connective tissue, including the organic matrix of the bones, is disturbed. Despite the fact that silicon is mainly found in plant foods, vegans should be mindful about its status, since they have an increased risk of osteopenia and osteoporosis. There is a lack of data on the physiological significance of bromine. Presumably, it is involved in the activa-tion of certain digestive enzymes, inhibitory processes in the nervous system. Although vegetarians and vegans seem to consume less bromine than omnivores, they are probably at a higher risk of intoxication with this element. This is due to the fact that bromine-containing pesticides are actively used in agriculture and can accumulate in plants. Vegetarians and vegans consume more plant foods. The situation is aggravated by the fact that bromine accumulates more actively against the background of iodine deficiency, which is often observed in these population groups. Boron plays a role in the glucose and lipid metabolism, as well as in the vitamin D, calcium and phosphates exchange, thus participating in the formation of an inorganic matrix of bones. It is unlikely that vegetarians and vegans have an increased risk of developing nutritional deficiency of boron compared to omnivores. However, considering data on a higher risk of vitamin D and calcium deficiency and osteoporosis, monitoring and correction of boron status can affect the prevalence of metabolic disturbances in bone tissue among vegans.
One of the most significant ways of removing chemical elements from the body is the urinary route. Thus, knowing the concentration of chemical elements in the urine, as well as the chemical composition of the diet, an attempt can be made to assess the dependence of the degree of excretion of macro- and micronutrients on the consumption of nutrients. The aim of the study was to identify the dependence of the excretion of chemical elements in urine on the nutritional intake of macro- and micronutrients using the example of first-year students of RUDN University. 75 first-year students of RUDN University, aged 20 to 50, took part in the study. The morning urine samples were taken from the subjects for analysis on chemical elements by the method of mass spectrometry with inductively coupled plasma, and their nutritional status was evaluated by frequency analysis. A positive correlation was revealed between the urinary concentration of Cr and Fe with the nutritional intake of all macronutrients, the total energy value of the diet, the consumption of cholesterol, K, Na, Mg, S, I, Se, Cu, Zn, Fe, vitamins B2, B5, B12, D. Concentration Cr in urine, in addition, was higher in women with a high consumption of Mn, and the concentration of iron was higher with a high intake of Si. Al concentrations were inversely correlated with all the same indicators, except for Mn, I, Se, Si, K, S. With an increase in total fat intake, Al concentrations in urine increased. The most universal dependences of the degree of excretion of chemical elements on nutrients were found for aluminum, chromium, and iron.
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