Micronutrient Status of Recreational Runners with Vegetarian or Non-Vegetarian Dietary Patterns

Abstract

Vegetarian diets have gained popularity in sports. However, few data exist on the status of micronutrients and related biomarkers for vegetarian and vegan athletes. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to compare the micronutrient status of omnivorous (OMN, n = 27), lacto-ovo-vegetarian (LOV, n = 26), and vegan (VEG, n = 28) recreational runners. Biomarkers of vitamin B12, folate, vitamin D, and iron were assessed. Additionally, serum levels of calcium, magnesium, and zinc were examined. Lifestyle factors and supplement intake were recorded via questionnaires. About 80% of each group showed vitamin B12 adequacy with higher levels in supplement users. Mean red blood cell folate exceeded the reference range (>340 nmol/L) in all three groups (OMN: 2213 ± 444, LOV: 2236 ± 596, and VEG: 2354 ± 639 nmol/L; not significant, n.s.). Furthermore, vitamin D levels were comparable (OMN: 90.6 ± 32.1, LOV: 76.8 ± 33.7, and VEG: 86.2 ± 39.5 nmol/L; n.s.), and we found low prevalence (<20%) of vitamin D inadequacy in all three groups. Less than 30% of each group had depleted iron stores, however, iron deficiency anemia was not found in any subject. Our findings suggest that a well-planned, health-conscious lacto-ovo-vegetarian and vegan diet, including supplements, can meet the athlete’s requirements of vitamin B12, vitamin D and iron.

Impact of Nutrition on Short-Term Exercise-Induced Sirtuin Regulation: Vegans Differ from Omnivores and Lacto-Ovo Vegetarians

“…Details of the study population are summarized in Table 1. As previously described [45,46], all subjects were adequately supplied with vitamin B 12 , D, and iron and did not differ significantly regarding maximum power output during the exercise test (OMN: 4.15 ± 0.48, LOV: 4.20 ± 0.47, VEG: 4.16 ± 0.55 Watt/kg BW) and time to exhaustion (OMN: 1199 ± 177, LOV: 1197 ± 183, VEG: 1187 ± 237 s).…”

“…This study is part of a cross-sectional study described previously [44][45][46]. Participants (age 18-35 years) were recruited from the general population in Hannover, Germany, by advertisements.…”

Exercise-Induced Oxidative Stress, Nitric Oxide and Plasma Amino Acid Profile in Recreational Runners with Vegetarian and Non-Vegetarian Dietary Patterns

“…As previously reported, the cohorts of the present study were adequately supplied with iron, vitamin B 12 and vitamin D [37], and had comparable maximum power output levels (P maxBW ) (OMN: 4.15 ± 0.48 Watt/kg, LOV: 4.20 ± 0.47 Watt/kg, VEG: 4.16 ± 0.55 Watt/kg; p = 0.917) as well as lactate concentrations (OMN: 11.3 ± 2.19 mM, LOV: 11.0 ± 2.59 mM, VEG: 11.9 ± 1.98 mM; p = 0.648) [32]. The correlations of the post-exercise plasma concentrations of MDA, nitrate and guanidinoacetate with the blood concentrations of lactate and glucose suggest that oxidative stress, NO metabolism and AGAT activity/expression are associated with lactate and glucose metabolism, albeit in opposite direction: positive for MDA and nitrate, and inverse for guanidinoacetate.…”

Estado nutricional, hábitos de alimentación y de estilo de vida en vegetarianos de Asunción y Gran Asunción, Paraguay

“…La deficiencia metabólica a largo plazo de esta vitamina se asocia con defectos del tubo neural, déficit cognitivo, atrofia del cerebro, depresión, neuropatía y enfermedad de Alzheimer 31 . La suplementación de B 12 es fundamental, en particular para los veganos: una investigación realizada en tres grupos de alemanes: corredores recreacionales (omnívoros, ovo-lácteo-vegetarianos y veganos) describió que cerca del 80% de cada grupo mostró adecuación de vitamina B 12 , con niveles más altos en usuarios que consumían suplementos 32 . Un estudio realizado en España con adultos ovo-lácteo-vegetarianos y veganos, detectó deficiencia subclínica de vitamina B 12 (determinado mediante el ácido metilmalónico sérico) en >10% de los vegetarianos, mientras que >70% de los participantes mostró hiperhomocisteinemia (Hcy>15 µmol/L).…”