engleski

Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D status of vegans and vegetarians

Inadequate vitamin D levels are more common than previously thought and the diseases associated with low levels now extend beyond rickets and osteoporosis. Vitamin D is among critical nutrients of vegetarian diet and although dietary intake is not the major determinant of the status, it can be expected that vegans have impaired vitamin D status when compared to less strict vegetarians because foods providing the highest amount of vitamin D are all from animal sources. The aim of this study was to report vitamin D status in adult Croatian vegetarians (n=102, 19 vegans and 83 vegetarians, 79 women and 23 men, age range 21-55 years). Veganism was defined as complete avoidance of any food of animal origin and vegetarianism as no consumption of red meat and poultry, according to subject’s food records. Vitamin D status was based on concentration of preferred biomarker i.e. circulating 25-hydroxyvitamin D. The biomarker was measured by enzyme immunoassay (Immunodiagnostic Systems Ltd, referent range 47.7-144 nmol/L). Inadequate vitamin D status (< 47.7 nmol/L) was observed in 52.0 % of subjects. When adequate vitamin D status was defined according to cut-off 78 nmol/L, what is considered necessary for maximum bone health and prevention of many chronic diseases, inadequate status (< 78 nmol/L) was observed in 89.2 % of subjects. As expected, 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentration was lower in vegans(34.4 nmol/L) than in vegetarians (52.0 nmol/L)(p=0.004). According to the results of this study, vegetarians should be advised for regular control of vitamin D status and supplement use.

vitamin D; 25-hydroxyvitamin D; vegetarian diet; vegans

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