Homocysteine and cobalamin status in German vegans.
OBJECTIVE
The study aimed to evaluate the homocysteine and cobalamin status of German vegans and determine whether the intake of very small amounts of foods of animal origin can improve this status.


METHODS
Cross-sectional study, Germany.


METHODS
The dietary and nutritional intakes of 131 vegans (73 women, 58 men; age range: 20.2-82.1 years) were evaluated using a general questionnaire and two food-frequency questionnaires.


RESULTS
The prevalence of inadequate cobalamin status in volunteers of the German Vegan Study was 28.2%, and that of hyperhomocysteinaemia, 38.1%. Moderate vegans were affected to a lesser extent than were strict vegans. Duration of veganism and cobalamin concentration were inversely correlated (Spearman's r=-0.175, P=0.047). Folate concentration and erythrocyte aspartic acid aminotransferase activity were not correlated with plasma homocysteine concentration, but duration of veganism correlated positively with homocysteine concentration (Spearman's r=0.319, P<0.001). Cobalamin and homocysteine concentrations were inversely correlated (when controlling for duration of veganism; r=-0.602, P<0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
Cobalamin status needs to be improved in order to minimise the risk of hyperhomocysteinaemia.
Waldmann
Annika
A
Institute of Food Science, University of Hanover, Wunstorfer Strasse 14, D-30453 Hanover, Germany.
Koschizke
Jochen W
JW
Leitzmann
Claus
C
Hahn
Andreas
A
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015992:Body Mass Index; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D014676:Diet, Vegetarian; D005260:Female; D005492:Folic Acid / Q000097:blood; D005858:Germany / Q000453:epidemiology; D006710:Homocysteine / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009752:Nutritional Status; D015995:Prevalence; D014805:Vitamin B 12 / Q000097:blood*; D014806:Vitamin B 12 Deficiency / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology*
D006710:Homocysteine; D005492:Folic Acid; D014805:Vitamin B 12