Serum vitamin B12 and folic acid concentrations in vegetarians

Małgorzata Chabasińska
Juliusz Przysławski
Aleksandra Lisowska
Małgorzata Schlegel-Zawadzka
Marian Grzymisławski
Jarosław Walkowiak
Z Kliniki Gastroenterologii Dziecigcej i Chorob Metabolicznych UM im. K. Marcinkowskiego w Poznaniu
Z Katedry i Zakiadu Bromatologii UM im. K. Marcinkowskiego w Poznaniu
Z Kliniki Gastroenterologii Dziecigcej i Chorob Metabolicznych UM im. K. Marcinkowskiego w Poznaniu
Z Zaktadu Zywienia Cztowieka Instytutu Zdrowia Publicznego, Wydzial Ochrony Zdrowia CM UJ w Krakowie
Z Kliniki Chorob Wewnetrznych, Metabolicznych i Dietetyki UM im. K. Marcinkowskiego w Poznaniu
Z Kliniki Gastroenterologii Dziecigcej i Chorob Metabolicznych UM im. K. Marcinkowskiego w Poznaniu

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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