title: Long-term effects of a vegetarian diet on the nutritional status of elderly people (Dutch Nutrition Surveillance System).
abstract: The health and nutritional status (anthropometry, and blood and urine biochemistry) of 44 Dutch apparently healthy vegetarians, aged 65-97 years, refraining from meat, fish, and poultry consumption, was assessed for insight into long-term consequences of ovo-lacto- or lacto-vegetarianism. The results indicate that in comparison to omnivorous elderly the vegetarian elderly (especially men) have aged successfully with respect to cardiovascular risk factors. In contrast, vegetarian elderly are at a higher risk for a marginal iron, zinc, and vitamin B12 status. Although several vegetarian elderly showed low levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D in plasma and many had low values of 24-hr urine volume (per kg body weight), these values are not likely the result of a vegetarian diet per se. It is concluded that, although some nutrition-related risks are prevalent among vegetarian elderly, these risks can probably be prevented by lifestyle changes.
authors: Department of Human Nutrition, TNO-CIVO Toxicology and Nutrition Institute, Zeist, The Netherlands.
authors: M R
authors: MR
authors: Löwik
authors: J
authors: J
authors: Schrijver
authors: J
authors: J
authors: Odink
authors: H
authors: H
authors: van den Berg
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Wedel
mesh_terms: D015652:25-Hydroxyvitamin D 2 / Q000097:blood; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000747:Anemia, Hypochromic / Q000209:etiology; D000886:Anthropometry; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000209:etiology; D014676:Diet, Vegetarian / Q000009:adverse effects; D004326:Drinking; D005260:Female; D005293:Ferritins / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009752:Nutritional Status; D012307:Risk Factors; D014556:Urine; D014806:Vitamin B 12 Deficiency; D015032:Zinc / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D015652:25-Hydroxyvitamin D 2; D005293:Ferritins; D015032:Zinc