Haematological studies on vegans

Abstract

I . The concentrations of vitamin Bls and folate in the serum and folate in the erythrocytes were determined and full blood counts made on a series of Caucasian vegans and omnivore controls.2 . The blood counts and films were normal in all the vegans and no subject had a haemoglobin concentration below the lower limit of normality.3. Although within the normal range, male but not female vegans had lower values for erythrocyte counts and higher values for mean corpuscular volume and mean corpuscular haemoglobin than their controls regardless of whether they were taking vitamin B,, supplements or not. 4.The mean serum vitamin B1, concentration was lower in the vegans not taking vitamin B,, supplements and in those using foods supplemented with the vitamin than in the controls, but in no subject was it below 80 ng/l.5. The serum folate concentrations were higher in the vegans than in their controls. The mean value for erythrocyte folate tended to be greater in the vegans not taking vitamin B12 supplements. No subject had an erythrocyte folate concentration of less than IOO pg/l. 6. It is concluded that megaloblastic anaemia is very rare in Caucasian vegans and that a diet consisting entirely of plant foods is generally adequate to promote normal blood formation providing it is composed of a mixture of unrefined cereals, pulses, nuts, fruit and vegetables and is supplemented with vitamin BIE.

Serum Vitamin B₁₂ and Blood Cell Values in Vegetarians

“…A concomitant iron deficiency may retard full expression of macrocytosis [15]. These findings are in ac cord with Sanders et al [16], who found fewer differences in hemoglobin, MCV and MCH between female vegans and female controls than for the male counterparts.…”

“…Low serum vitamin B)2 levels among ve getarians have been reported [1,8,14,16]. However, previous studies were limited to one or two of the four main vegetarian di etary groups: vegan or strict vegetarians who abstain from all food of animal origin; lac tovegetarians who include dairy products in their diets: lacto-ovovegetarians who include dairy and egg products in their diets; and semivegetarians who occasionally consume meat.…”

Health effects of vegetarian and vegan diets

“…Early studies of vitamin B 12 status in vegetarians have shown that, as would be expected, dietary intake and plasma concentrations are lower than those in meat-eaters (Armstrong et al 1974;Sanders et al 1978b). Clinical evidence of vitamin B 12 deficiency has been reported in some vegans but is apparently uncommon (Antony, 2003).…”

Iron Status in Omnivorous and Vegetarian Adults

“…In addition to iron, other nutrients required for hemoglobin synthesis may be limiting in vegetarian diets. Since 84% of our vegetarians were vegans who received no vitamin supplement, vitamin B12 deficiency may also be the cause of their anemia [14,[19][20][21]. This study was supported by a research grant from the Faculty of Medicine, Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand.…”