Serum vitamin B12 and folic acid concentrations in vegetarians

Authors

  • Małgorzata Chabasińska Z Kliniki Gastroenterologii Dziecięcej i Chorób Metabolicznych UM im. K. Marcinkowskiego w Poznaniu
  • Juliusz Przysławski Z Katedry i Zakładu Bromatologii UM im. K. Marcinkowskiego w Poznaniu
  • Aleksandra Lisowska Z Kliniki Gastroenterologii Dziecięcej i Chorób Metabolicznych UM im. K. Marcinkowskiego w Poznaniu
  • Małgorzata Schlegel-Zawadzka Z Zakładu Żywienia Człowieka Instytutu Zdrowia Publicznego, Wydział Ochrony Zdrowia CM UJ w Krakowie
  • Marian Grzymisławski Z Kliniki Chorób Wewnętrznych, Metabolicznych i Dietetyki UM im. K. Marcinkowskiego w Poznaniu
  • Jarosław Walkowiak Z Kliniki Gastroenterologii Dziecięcej i Chorób Metabolicznych UM im. K. Marcinkowskiego w Poznaniu

Keywords:

vitamin B12, folic acid, vegetarian diet

Abstract

The fundamental principle of vegetarianism is avoiding animal products. The exclusion of animal products from diet may be related to insufficient intake of nutrients: calcium, iron, zinc, iodine and some amino acids. However, the major problem is the potential deficiency of vitamin B12 which is not present in plant products. That's appears a need for determination of presence of deficiency of this vitamin in group above-mentioned group. The assessment of nutritional value of the diet and the body resources of vitamin B12 and folic acid was carried out in 118 vegetarians and 90 omnivores. The minimal length of the vegetarian diet was 12 months. The intake of vitamin B12 was significantly lower in vegetarians than in omnivores (p = 0,0001). Higher concentrations of folic acid (p = 0,000022) and vitamin B12 (p = 0,00015) were documented in vegetarians. Abnormal vitamin B12 concentrations were found in 25 vegetarians (21.2%) and in 5 omni-vores (5.5%). The intake of vitamin B12 was correlated (r = 0,221, p = 0,016) to vitamin B12 concetura-. don in case of vegetarian diet. Such correlation was not found for traditional diet. The contemporary vegetarian diet is characterized by the changes in the ratio of intake of macro-nutrients and insufficient intake of vitamin B12. Simultaneously, decreased serum vitamin B12 and in-creased folic acid concentrations are observed. 

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Published

2007-12-30

How to Cite

Chabasińska, M., Przysławski, J., Lisowska, A., Schlegel-Zawadzka, M., Grzymisławski, M., & Walkowiak, J. (2007). Serum vitamin B12 and folic acid concentrations in vegetarians. European Journal of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, 5(4), 360–364. Retrieved from https://journals.ur.edu.pl/ejcem/article/view/13312

Issue

Vol. 5 No. 4 (2007): Medical Journal of the Rzeszow University

Section

ORIGINAL PAPERS

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Copyright (c) 2007 Medical Journal of the Rzeszow University

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