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Nutrients Nov 2019Vegans are at an increased risk for certain micronutrient deficiencies, foremost of vitamin B. Little is known about the short-term effects of dietary change to... (Randomized Controlled Trial)
Randomized Controlled Trial
Vegans are at an increased risk for certain micronutrient deficiencies, foremost of vitamin B. Little is known about the short-term effects of dietary change to plant-based nutrition on vitamin B metabolism. Systemic biomarkers of vitamin B status, namely, serum vitamin B and holotranscobalamin, may respond quickly to a reduced intake of vitamin B. To test this hypothesis, 53 healthy omnivore subjects were randomized to a controlled unsupplemented vegan diet (VD, = 26) or meat-rich diet (MD, = 27) for 4 weeks. Vitamin B status was examined by measurement of serum vitamin B, holotranscobalamin (holo-TC), methylmalonic acid (MMA) and total plasma homocysteine (tHcy). Holo-TC decreased significantly in the VD compared to the MD group after four weeks of intervention, whereas metabolites MMA and tHcy were unaffected. Body weight remained stable in both groups. VD intervention led to a significant reduction of cholesterol intake, and adequate profiles of nutrient and micronutrient status. Lower intake of vitamin B was observed in VD, which was mirrored by a lower concentration of serum vitamin B and reduced holo-TC after 4 weeks. Plasma holo-TC may be a fast-responding biomarker to monitor adequate supply of vitamin B in plant-based individuals.
Topics: Adult; Biomarkers; Cardiovascular Diseases; Cholesterol; Diet, Vegan; Fatty Acids; Female; Healthy Volunteers; Homocysteine; Humans; Inflammation; Male; Methylmalonic Acid; Micronutrients; Nutritional Status; Transcobalamins; Vitamin B 12; Vitamin B 12 Deficiency
PubMed: 31752105
DOI: 10.3390/nu11112815 -
Critical Reviews in Food Science and... 2023In recent years, plant-based diets have experienced increasing popularity. However, plant-based diets may not always ensure an adequate supply of micronutrients, in... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
In recent years, plant-based diets have experienced increasing popularity. However, plant-based diets may not always ensure an adequate supply of micronutrients, in particular calcium. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of calcium intake in vegan and vegetarian diets as compared to omnivorous diets. We searched PubMed and Web of Science and identified 2,009 potentially relevant articles. Mean calcium intake values were pooled and standardized mean differences (SMD) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were computed.We analyzed 74 studies, including 7,356 vegan, 51,940 vegetarian, and 107,581 omnivorous participants. Of these, dietary calcium intake was examined in 23 studies of vegans, 60 studies of vegetarians and 74 studies of omnivores. Vegans showed a substantially lower calcium intake than vegetarians (SMD = -0.57; 95%CI = -0.83 to -0.32; p = <0.0001) and omnivores (SMD = -0.70; 95%CI = -0.95 to -0.59; p < 0.0001), whereas no statistically significant difference in calcium intake was noted between vegetarians and omnivores (SMD = 0.07; 95%CI = -0.04 to 0.19; p = 0.1976). In conclusion, vegans show a lower calcium intake than vegetarians and omnivores. This finding emphasizes the need for vegans to monitor their calcium status.
Topics: Humans; Vegans; Calcium; Diet, Vegetarian; Diet; Diet, Vegan
PubMed: 38054787
DOI: 10.1080/10408398.2022.2084027 -
MMW Fortschritte Der Medizin Mar 2021
Review
Topics: Diet, Vegan; Fractures, Bone; Humans; Prospective Studies; Vegans; Vegetarians
PubMed: 33710554
DOI: 10.1007/s15006-021-9729-6 -
Eating and Weight Disorders : EWD Dec 2021
Topics: Diet; Diet, Vegan; Diet, Vegetarian; Humans; Orthorexia Nervosa; Vegans; Vegetarians
PubMed: 33630255
DOI: 10.1007/s40519-021-01135-2 -
Journal of the American Nutrition... 2022The impact of a vegan diet on sprint interval exercise performance is unknown. Thus, the purpose of the present study was to compare performance during a sprint interval...
OBJECTIVE
The impact of a vegan diet on sprint interval exercise performance is unknown. Thus, the purpose of the present study was to compare performance during a sprint interval exercise between omnivores and vegans.
METHODS
Nine healthy omnivores (4 men and 5 women) and nine healthy vegans (4 men and 5 women), with similar levels of daily physical activity, performed four bouts (5-min rest between bouts) of a 30-s all-out sprint exercise on a cycle ergometer. Peak power, mean power, fatigue index, and time to reach maximal power output in each bout were recorded.
RESULTS
There was a higher peak power in bouts 1 and 2 compared with bouts 3 and 4 ( < 0.02), and a higher mean power in bout 1 compared with bouts 2, 3 and 4 ( < 0.02). However, for all bouts, there were no significant difference between omnivores and vegans in peak power (7.60 ± 1.55 . 8.16 ± 1.27, 7.52 ± 1.6 7.61 ± 0.73, 7.00 ± 1.44 . 7.00 ± 1.05 and 6.95 ± 1.42 . 6.49 ± 0.90 W.kg, all > 0.05) and in mean power (5.35 ± 0.93 . 5.69 ± 0.84, 5.10 ± 0.88 . 5.21 ± 0.49, 4.79 ± 0.81 . 4.79 ± 0.45 and 4.81 ± 0.81 . 4.69 ± 0.47 W.kg, all > 0.05). Fatigue index and time to reach maximal power output were not affected by diet or bouts (all > 0.05).
CONCLUSIONS
These findings indicate that a vegan diet does not compromise sprint interval exercise performance.
Topics: Diet, Vegan; Ergometry; Exercise; Fatigue; Female; Humans; Male; Vegans
PubMed: 33783319
DOI: 10.1080/07315724.2021.1893862 -
Revue Medicale Suisse May 2024
Topics: Diet, Ketogenic; Humans; Diet, Vegan; Microbiota; Gastrointestinal Microbiome; Immunity
PubMed: 38756039
DOI: 10.53738/REVMED.2024.20.874.998 -
Nutrients Dec 2021Interest in vegan diets has increased globally as well as in Slovenia. The quantity of new scientific data requires a thorough synthesis of new findings and... (Review)
Review
Interest in vegan diets has increased globally as well as in Slovenia. The quantity of new scientific data requires a thorough synthesis of new findings and considerations about the current reserved position of the vegan diet in Slovenia. There is frequently confusion about the benefits of vegetarian diets that are often uncritically passed on to vegan diets and vice versa. This narrative review aims to serve as a framework for a well-designed vegan diet. We present advice on how to maximize the benefits and minimize the risks associated with the vegan diet and lifestyle. We highlight the proper terminology, present the health effects of a vegan diet and emphasize the nutrients of concern. In addition, we provide guidance for implementing a well-designed vegan diet in daily life. We conducted a PubMed search, up to November 2021, for studies on key nutrients (proteins, vitamin B, vitamin D, omega-3 long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)), calcium, iron, zinc, iodine and selenium) in vegan diets. Given the limited amount of scientific evidence, we focus primarily on the general adult population. A well-designed vegan diet that includes a wide variety of plant foods and supplementation of vitamin B, vitamin D in the winter months and potentially EPA/DHA is safe and nutritionally adequate. It has the potential to maintain and/or to improve health. For physically active adult populations, athletes or individuals with fast-paced lifestyles, there is room for further appropriate supplementation of a conventional vegan diet according to individuals' health status, needs and goals without compromising their health. A healthy vegan lifestyle, as included in government guidelines for a healthy lifestyle, includes regular physical activity, avoidance of smoking, restriction of alcohol and appropriate sleep hygiene.
Topics: Diet, Vegan; Humans; Nutrients; Nutritional Requirements; Slovenia; Vegans
PubMed: 34960098
DOI: 10.3390/nu13124545 -
The British Journal of Nutrition Nov 2023Vegan and vegetarian diets are widely supported and adopted, but individuals following such diets remain at greater risk of iodine deficiency. This systematic review and... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
Vegan and vegetarian diets are widely supported and adopted, but individuals following such diets remain at greater risk of iodine deficiency. This systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted to assess the iodine intake and status in adults following a vegan or vegetarian diet in the modern day. A systematic review and quality assessment were conducted from October 2020 to December 2022 according to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) and Meta-analysis of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (MOOSE) guidance. Studies were identified in Ovid MEDLINE, Web of Science, PubMed, and Scopus. Eleven articles were eligible for review containing 4421 adults (aged ≥ 18 years). Vegan groups had the lowest median urinary iodine concentration (mUIC) (12·2/l). None of the dietary groups had mUIC within the optimal range for iodine status (100-200 µg/l) (WHO). Vegan diets had the poorest iodine intake (17·3 µg/d) and were strongly associated with lower iodine intake ( = < 0·001) compared with omnivorous diets. Lower intake in vegan diets was influenced by sex ( = 0·007), the presence of voluntary or absence of Universal Salt Iodisation (USI) programmes ( = 0·01 & = < 0·001), and living in a country with adequate iodine nutrition ( = < 0·001). Vegetarians and particularly vegans living in countries with no current USI programme continue to have increased risk of low iodine status, iodine deficiency and inadequate iodine intake. Further research into the usefulness of mandatory fortification of vegan appropriate foods is required.
Topics: Adult; Humans; Diet, Vegan; Vegans; Iodine; Diet, Vegetarian; Nutritional Status; Vegetarians
PubMed: 36912094
DOI: 10.1017/S000711452300051X -
European Heart Journal Jul 2023
Topics: Humans; Diet, Vegan; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Lipoproteins; Atherosclerosis; Lipids; Vegetarians
PubMed: 37226572
DOI: 10.1093/eurheartj/ehad239 -
Nutrients Nov 2023The scientific discourse on vegan diets for children and adolescents primarily involves referencing position statement papers from different scientific and professional... (Review)
Review
The scientific discourse on vegan diets for children and adolescents primarily involves referencing position statement papers from different scientific and professional organizations, including paediatric associations. Over the past two decades, specialized associations have issued official statements and published position papers about adopting well-designed vegan diets during crucial life stages, including pregnancy and lactation, infancy, and childhood. A subset of these associations firmly supports the notion that a well-designed vegan diet can indeed be healthy and support normal growth and development during particularly delicate life stages, emphasizing careful planning, vitamin B12 supplementation, and regular supervised medical and dietetics oversight. In contrast, specific paediatric associations caution against vegan diets for children and adolescents, citing potential harm and the lack of adequate substantiation. These criticisms in position papers frequently point to lower-quality studies and/or outdated studies. Additionally, concerns extend to comparing vegan and omnivorous diets, considering public health issues such as obesity and early stages of cardiovascular disease as well as the risk of prediabetes and type 2 diabetes. Notably, some scepticism stems from studies where children's adherence to a well-designed vegan diet is incomplete. Scientific rigor suggests performing a comparable assessment of omnivorous and vegan diets. This narrative review highlights the need for a comprehensive, up-to-date literature review to inform balanced perspectives on vegan diets for children and adolescents. Researchers and decision-makers should aim to actively improve the design and consistent implementation of both diet types.
Topics: Pregnancy; Female; Adolescent; Humans; Child; Diet, Vegan; Diet, Vegetarian; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2; Nutritional Requirements; Vegans
PubMed: 38004109
DOI: 10.3390/nu15224715