Vitamin and Mineral Status in a Vegan Diet

Abstract

Background: In Germany, public interest in a vegan diet is steadily growing. There are, however, no current data on the macro-and micronutrient status of vegans.Methods: In a cross-sectional study entitled "The Risks and Benefits of a Vegan Diet" (RBVD), we investigated the dietary intake, basic laboratory parameters, vitamin status, and trace-element status of 36 vegans and 36 persons on an omnivorous diet. Each group consisted of 18 men and 18 women aged 30-60.Results: Nearly all the vegans and one-third of the persons on a mixed diet had consumed supplements in the previous 4 weeks. Vegans and nonvegans had similar energy intake but differed in the intake of both macronutrients (e.g., dietary fiber) and micronutrients (e.g., vitamins B12, B2, D, E, and K, as well as folate, iodine, and iron). There were no intergroup differences in the biomarkers of vitamin B12, vitamin D, or iron status. The ferritin values and blood counts indicated iron deficiency in four vegans and three non-vegans. Measurements in 24-hour urine samples revealed lower calcium excretion and markedly lower iodine excretion in vegans compared to non-vegans; in one-third of the vegans, iodine excretion was lower than the WHO threshold value (<20 µg/L) for severe iodine deficiency.Conclusion: Vitamin B12 status was similarly good in vegans and non-vegans, even though the vegans consumed very little dietary B12. This may be due to the high rate of supplementation. The findings imply a need to also assure adequate iodine intake in the population, especially among persons on a vegan diet.

Vegan Diet and Bone Health—Results from the Cross-Sectional RBVD Study

“…However, a sensitivity analysis revealed no change in the results after an adjustment for the month of blood collection. In agreement with the current evidence, the dietary intake of vitamin D3 is lower in vegans [21], but we observed no difference in the vitamin D3 blood concentrations between vegans and omnivores, most likely because 50.0% of our vegans took vitamin D3 supplements.…”

“…Next to vitamin B12, the results of this review suggest a protective role of vitamins B2 and B6 in bone health [13]. Interestingly, in agreement with the reduced bone health of vegans in the RBVD study, we also observed lower plasma concentrations of vitamin B2 in vegans, which is explained by the lower dietary intake compared to omnivores [21]. Indeed, a few studies have shown that the status of vitamin B2 is considered deficient in ≈30% of vegans [31,32].…”

“…Regarding bone health, it has been proposed that a deficiency in vitamin B12 can negatively affect bone development and maintenance [6]. However, we observed no differences in any of the blood parameters assessing vitamin B12 status [21]. Next to vitamin B12, vitamin D also plays a central role in bone metabolism and mineralization.…”

“…The participants collected their urine over 24 h before their second visit to the study center. Concentrations of calcium and magnesium in 24 h urine were measured at Labor 28 GmbH (Berlin, Germany) and concentrations of urinary iodine at the Laboratory of Human Nutrition, Institute of Food, Nutrition and Health, ETH Zurich (Switzerland) [21].…”

Sperm DNA Methylation at Metabolism-Related Genes in Vegan Subjects

“…In fact, nutrients include molecules that constitute DNA and histone methylation, such as methylfolate, choline, betaine, methionine, vitamins B12, B6, and B2 (52). Several studies showed the critical nutrients occurrence for each dietary regime (53)(54)(55)(56). In particular, on the micronutrient level, one study carried out on the largest sample of vegan dieters worldwide reported that the men following a vegan diet have lower intake of saturated fatty acids (SFA), retinol, vitamin B12 and D, calcium, zinc than omnivorous diet.…”