Due to the lack of current, large-scale studies examining their dietary intake and health, there are concerns about vegetarian (VG) and vegan (VN) diets in childhood. Therefore, the Vegetarian and Vegan Children Study (VeChi Diet Study) examined the energy and macronutrient intake as well as the anthropometrics of 430 VG, VN, and omnivorous (OM) children (1–3 years) in Germany. A 3-day weighed dietary record assessed dietary intake, and an online questionnaire assessed lifestyle, body weight (BW), and height. Average dietary intakes and anthropometrics were compared between groups using ANCOVA. There were no significant differences in energy intake or density and anthropometrics between the study groups. OM children had the highest adjusted median intakes of protein (OM: 2.7, VG: 2.3, VN: 2.4 g/kg BW, p < 0.0001), fat (OM: 36.0, VG: 33.5, VN: 31.2%E, p < 0.0001), and added sugars (OM: 5.3, VG: 4.5, VN: 3.8%E, p = 0.002), whereas VN children had the highest adjusted intakes of carbohydrates (OM: 50.1, VG: 54.1, VN: 56.2%E, p < 0.0001) and fiber (OM: 12.2, VG: 16.5, VN: 21.8 g/1,000 kcal, p < 0.0001). Therefore, a VG and VN diet in early childhood can provide the same amount of energy and macronutrients, leading to a normal growth in comparison to OM children.

There is a lack of data on associations between modern vegetarian and vegan diets and health among children and adolescents. The aim of the Vechi Youth Study was to cross-sectionally examine anthropometry, dietary intakes and nutritional status in a sample of 149 vegetarian, 115 vegan and 137 omnivore children and adolescents (6–18 years old, mean age: 12.7 ± 3.9 years). Group differences of dietary intake (calculated from three-day dietary records), nutrient biomarker and blood lipid concentrations were assessed using an analysis of covariance, adjusted for sex, age and other covariates. The total energy intake did not differ significantly between groups, but intake of carbohydrates was higher among vegetarians and vegans than among omnivores (p = 0.0002, respectively). The median protein intake exceeded 0.9 g/kg body weight/day in all diet groups and was lowest among vegetarians (p < 0.02). There was no significant difference of haemoglobin, vitamin B2, 25-OH vitamin D3, HDL-C and triglycerides blood concentrations between diet groups. Vegan participants had higher folate concentrations than vegetarian participants (p = 0.0053). Ferritin concentration was significantly higher in omnivores than in vegetarians (p = 0.0134) and vegans (p = 0.0404). Vegetarians had lower concentrations of holotranscobalamin (p = 0.0042) and higher concentrations of methylmalonic acid (p = 0.0253) than omnivores. Vegans had the lowest non-HDL-C and LDL-C concentrations in comparison to vegetarians (p = 0.0053 and p = 0.0041) and omnivores (p = 0.0010 and p = 0.0010). A high prevalence (>30%) of 25-OH vitamin D3 and vitamin B2 concentrations below reference values were found irrespective of the diet group. In conclusion, the Vechi Youth Study did not indicate specific nutritional risks among vegetarian and vegan children and adolescents compared to omnivores.

Studying redox metabolism in malaria parasites is of great interest for understanding parasite biology, parasite-host interactions, and mechanisms of drug action. Genetically encoded fluorescent redox sensors have recently been described as powerful tools for determining the glutathione-dependent redox potential in living parasites. In the present study, we genomically integrated and expressed the ratiometric redox sensors hGrx1-roGFP2 (human glutaredoxin 1 fused to reduction-oxidation sensitive green fluorescent protein) and sfroGFP2 (superfolder roGFP2) in the cytosol of NF54- attB blood-stage Plasmodium falciparum parasites. Both sensors were evaluated in vitro and in cell culture with regard to their fluorescence properties and reactivity. As genomic integration allows for the stable expression of redox sensors in parasites, we systematically compared single live-cell imaging with plate reader detection. For these comparisons, short-term effects of redox-active compounds were analyzed along with mid- and long-term effects of selected antimalarial agents. Of note, the single components of the redox probes themselves did not influence the redox balance of the parasites. Our analyses revealed comparable results for both the hGrx1-roGFP2 and sfroGFP2 probes, with sfroGFP2 exhibiting a more pronounced fluorescence intensity in cellulo. Accordingly, the sfroGFP2 probe was employed to monitor the fluorescence signals throughout the parasites' asexual life cycle. Through the use of stable genomic integration, we demonstrate a means of overcoming the limitations of transient transfection, allowing more detailed in-cell studies as well as high-throughput analyses using plate reader-based approaches.

Purpose There is an ongoing debate whether vegetarian (VG) and especially vegan (VN) diets are nutritionally adequate in early childhood. Hence, the Vegetarian and Vegan Children Study (VeChi Diet Study) aimed to assess the food and nutrient intake of VG and VN infants. Methods The study examined the diets of 1–3-year-old VG, VN, and omnivorous (OM) children (n = 430). Dietary intake was assessed via a 3-day weighed dietary record and compared between groups using ANCOVA. Lifestyle data were collected using a questionnaire. Here, the results of micronutrient and fatty acid intakes are presented. Results Most nutrient intakes (with and without supplements) differed significantly between VN children and the two other groups, with a more favourable overall micronutrient intake in VN, followed by VG children, [e.g., the highest intake of vitamin E (8.3 mg/d vs. VG 7.4 mg/d and OM 5.1 mg/d), vitamin B1 (569 µg/d vs. VG 513 µg/d and OM 481 µg/d), folate (143 µg/d vs. VG 116 µg/d and OM 108 µg/d), magnesium (241 mg/d vs. VG 188 mg/d and OM 164 mg/d), and iron (8.9 mg/d vs. VG 7.3 mg/d and OM 6.0 mg/d)] as well as fat quality [highest intake of polyunsaturated fatty acids (8.7 E% vs. VG 6.9 E% and OM 4.5 E%) and lowest intake of saturated fatty acids (9.1 E% vs. VG 11.9 E% and OM 14.0 E%)]. In contrast, OM children had the highest intake of vitamin B2 (639 µg/d vs. VG 461 µg/d and VN 429 µg/d), calcium (445 mg/d vs. VG 399 mg/d and VN 320 mg/d), iodine (47 µg/d vs. VG 33 µg/d and VN 31 µg/d), and DHA (35.4 mg/d vs. VG 16.6 mg/d and VN 18.4 mg/d). Without supplementation, OM children had the highest average vitamin B12 intake (1.5 µg/d vs. VG 0.6 µg/d and VN 0.2 µg/d), whereas VN children had the highest average vitamin B12 intake with supplementation (73.8 µg/d vs. VG 1.3 µg/d and OM 1.7 µg/d). Without supplementation, none of the groups’ median intakes met the harmonised Average Requirement (h-AR) for vitamin D and iodine. Moreover, VG and VN children did not achieve h-ARs for vitamin B2, vitamin B12, and iron—if a low absorption of iron is anticipated; VN children also did not do so for calcium. Conclusion In early childhood, VN and VG diets can provide most micronutrients in desirable amounts and a preferable fat quality compared to an OM diet. Special focus should be paid to (potentially) critical nutrients, particularly vitamin D, iodine, and DHA for all children regardless of diet, as well as vitamin B2, vitamin B12, calcium, and iron for VG and VN children. Trail registration This study was registered with the German Clinical Trials Register (DRKS00010982) on (September 2, 2016).

Plant-based, i.e., vegetarian (without meat and fish) or vegan (exclusively plant-based foods) diets are in trend also among children and adolescents, but data on food intake in this group are lacking. Here, we compare the consumption of food groups of vegetarian (n 145), vegan (n 110), and omnivore (n 135) children and adolescents (6-18 years) in Germany using data of the VeChi Youth Study. Each food item reported in 3day weighed dietary records was assigned to one of 18 food groups and individual mean intake per day (g/MJ) was calculated. Group differences were assessed using covariance analyses adjusted for age, sex and other covariates. For food groups with a high number of non-consumers, non-parametric Kruskal-Wallis-Tests were run. Pairwise comparison of vegetarian and vegan groups indicated significantly higher intakes of legumes, nuts, milk alternatives (all P = 0.0003), and meat alternatives (P = 0.0065) among vegan subjects. Intake of these food groups of omnivore participants was low (Q3: 0.0 g/MJ for legumes, milk alternatives, and meat alternatives, 0.5 g/MJ for nuts). Dairy intake of vegetarians (11.6 g/MJ) was significantly lower than of omnivore subjects (24.7 g/MJ) (P = 0.0003). Intake of fats/oils and sweet foods was lowest in vegan compared to vegetarian and omnivore participants (p <0.05). Whole grain intake was higher in vegan participants (14.5 g/MJ) than of vegetarian (9.1 g/MJ) and omnivore (6.5 g/MJ) participants (P = 0.0003). Longitudinal studies are necessary to evaluate the long-term health consequences of vegetarian, vegan, and omnivore food patterns, especially in childhood and adolescence.

EC numbers: 1.8.1.9; 1.8.1.B1.

Background: The oral application of vitamin B-12 may prevent its deficiency if the vitamin is absorbed via the mucosal barrier. Objectives: We studied the effect of the use of a vitamin B-12-fortified toothpaste on vitamin-status markers in vegans and assessed the efficiency of markers in the identification of vitamin-augmentation status. Design: In this 12-wk, double-blinded, randomized, placebocontrolled study, 76 vegans received either a placebo (n = 34) or vitamin B-12 (n = 42) toothpaste. Sixty-six subjects (n = 30 in the placebo arm; n = 36 in the vitamin B-12 arm) completed the intervention. Serum and plasma concentrations of vitamin B-12, holotranscobalamin, total homocysteine (tHcy), and methylmalonic acid (MMA) were measured before and after the intervention. Results: Both postintervention concentrations of vitamin B-12 and holotranscobalamin and their changes over 12 wk were higher in the vitamin B-12 group (mean 6 SD change: 81 6 135 pmol/L for vitamin B-12 and 26 6 34 pmol/L for holotranscobalamin) than in the placebo group (227 6 64 and 25 6 17 pmol/L, respectively) after adjustment for baseline concentrations. Postintervention concentrations of MMA and their changes differed significantly between groups (MMA changes: 20.169 6 0.340 compared with 20.036 6 0.544 mmol/L in vitamin B-12 and placebo groups, respectively; P , 0.001). After adjustment for baseline tHcy, postintervention concentrations of tHcy tended to be lower (P = 0.051), and the changes in tHcy (20.7 6 4.4 compared with 2.0 6 5.6 mmol/L, respectively) were greater in the vitamin B-12 group than in the placebo group. Changes in vitamin B-12 markers were more prominent in vegans who reported that they had not taken vitamin B-12 supplements. Conclusion: Vitamin B-12 that is applied to the oral cavity via toothpaste enters the circulation and corrects the vitamin B-12 markers in the blood of vegans who are at higher risk of vitamin B-12 deficiency. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT02679833. Am J Clin Nutr 2017;105:618-25.

Zusammenfassung Hintergrund Immer mehr Menschen entscheiden sich für eine vegane Ernährung ohne tierische Lebensmittel, darunter auch Familien mit Kindern. Material und Methodik Die bekannten lebensmittelbezogenen Empfehlungen für die Ernährung von Säuglingen (der Ernährungsplan für das 1. Lebensjahr) und Kindern und Jugendlichen (die Optimierte Mischkost, OMK) werden an die Anforderungen einer veganen Ernährung angepasst. Ergebnisse Der im Ernährungsplan vorgesehene Gemüse-Kartoffel-Fleisch-Brei kann durch einen Gemüse-Kartoffel-Getreide-Brei ersetzt werden. Der Milch-Getreide-Brei kann mit einer kommerziellen Sojanahrung zubereitet werden, die auch für nicht gestillte Säuglinge, die keine Kuhmilch bekommen sollen, als Flaschennahrung geeignet ist. Für Kinder und Jugendliche wurden nach derselben Vorgehensweise wie für die OMK eine Optimierte Vegane Kost (OVK) berechnet, mit der die aktuellen Referenzwerte für die Energie- und Nährstoffzufuhr erreicht werden. Eine Supplementierung mit Vitamin B12 ist für alle vegan ernährten Säuglinge, Kinder und Jugendliche obligatorisch. Schlussfolgerung Im Artikel wird aufgezeigt, wie der Bedarf an potenziell kritischen Nährstoffen auch im Wachstumsalter durch pflanzliche Lebensmittel, ergänzt durch die gezielte Auswahl angereicherter Lebensmittel und Supplemente, gedeckt werden kann.