Abstract

BACKGROUND
There are no long-term prospective studies assessing the impact of the vegan diet on vitamin B-12 (B-12) status. Many vegans take B-12 supplements irregularly or refuse to adopt them at all, considering them to be "unnatural" products. The use of B-12 fortified food may be an alternative. Therefore, we aimed to estimate the long-term effect of a vegan diet on serum B-12 concentrations in healthy omnivore adults, comparing the influence of natural products consumption and B-12 fortified food.
MATERIAL AND METHODS
A five year prospective study was carried out comprising 20 omnivore healthy adult subjects, who moved to strict vegan diet for 5 years. Ten volunteers followed vegan diet based entirely on natural products, while the remaining ten subjects consumed food fortified in B-12. In all subjects serum vitamin B-12 concentration was determined before and 6, 12, 24 and 60 months after the implementation of the diet.
RESULTS
A significant decrease (p < 0.0002) of serum B-12 concentrations in the whole studied group was noted after 60 months of vegan diet. However, observed changes were in fact limited to the subgroup consuming exclusively natural products (p < 0.0001).
CONCLUSIONS
Transition from omnivore to vegan diet is associated with the risk of vitamin B-12 deficiency. B-12 fortified products might constitute a valuable alternative in vegans refusing to take vitamin supplements.

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Authors

Mądry E, Lisowska A, Grebowiec P, Walkowiak J

Institution

Department of Physiology, Poznań University of Medical Sciences, Święcickiego 6, Poznań, Poland. edytamadry@poczta.onet.pl

Source

Acta scientiarum polonorum. Technologia alimentaria 11:2 2012 Apr 2 pg 209-12

MeSH

Adult
Diet, Vegetarian
Dietary Supplements
Female
Humans
Male
Prospective Studies
Risk Factors
Time Factors
Vitamin B 12
Vitamin B 12 Deficiency
Young Adult

Pub Type(s)

Journal Article

Language

eng

PubMed ID

22493163