Dietary intake of vitamin B6 and concentration of vitamin B6 in blood samples of German vegans.
OBJECTIVE
The study aimed to evaluate the dietary vitamin B6 intake and determine the vitamin B6 concentration in blood samples of German vegans.


METHODS
Cross-sectional study with 33 examination sites all over Germany. Subjects Ninety-three vegans (50 females) with a mean (+/- standard deviation (SD)) age of 43.7 +/- 15.7 years who took no vitamin supplements.


METHODS
Dietary intake was assed using a semi-quantitative food-frequency questionnaire. Erythrocyte aspartate aminotransferase activity coefficient (EAST-AC) was calculated as the ratio of stimulated (pyridoxal 5'-phosphate added) to unstimulated activity in blood samples that were provided after an overnight fast.


RESULTS
Mean +/- SD vitamin B6 intake was 2.83 +/- 0.98 mg day(-1) and mean +/- SD protein intake was 56.6 +/- 21.7 g day(-1). Of the participants 4% showed vitamin B6 intakes lower than daily recommended intakes for Germany, 16% showed EAST-AC > 1.85, and a further 58% showed EAST-AC of 1.5-1-85. Moderate vegans were affected to a lesser extent than strict vegans. None of the established confounders was a significant predictor of EAST-AC. In logistic regression analyses the contribution of nutriments and cereals to pyridoxine intake was the only predictor of EAST-AC classified as < or = 1.85 and > 1.85, respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
In spite of the high total intake of vitamin B6, an adequate concentration in blood samples could not be realised for a majority of the participants. Due to the health implications of a marginal pyridoxine status, vegans should be encouraged to include foods with a high bioavailability of pyridoxine, such as beans, lentils and bananas, in the daily diet.
Waldmann
A
A
Institute of Food Science, University of Hannover, Wunstorfer Strasse 14, D-30453 Hannover, Germany.
Dörr
B
B
Koschizke
J W
JW
Leitzmann
C
C
Hahn
A
A
D000328:Adult; D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases / Q000378:metabolism; D001682:Biological Availability; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D014676:Diet, Vegetarian; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000201:enzymology; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D015596:Nutrition Assessment; D009752:Nutritional Status; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D025101:Vitamin B 6 / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000097:blood*; D026681:Vitamin B 6 Deficiency / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D014803:Vitamin B Complex / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000097:blood
D014803:Vitamin B Complex; D025101:Vitamin B 6; D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases