title: The influence of a whole food vegan diet with Nori algae and wild mushrooms on selected blood parameters.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Vegan and vegetarian diets could overcome many diseases of civilization. This study examines whether a whole food vegan diet with Nori algae and wild mushrooms can provide a sufficient quantity of critical nutrients.
  
  
  METHODS
  Five blood samples (Baseline to Time 5) were taken over eight months from 75 subjects (10 vegans without B12 supplementation who consumed Nori algae and wild mushrooms, 20 vegans with supplementation, 40 vegetarians, 5 meat-eaters). Blood was analyzed for blood cell counts, total vitamin B12, holotranscobalamin, homocysteine, methylmalonic acid, vitamin B6, folic acid, ferritin, TSH, zinc, creatinine, vitamin D2 and D3.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In the vegan group without supplementation, all means were within the tolerance (holotranscobalamin, homocystein) or normal, except for elevated methylmalonic acid and diminished vitamin D. This group developed significantly higher vitamin D2 levels. The vegan group with B12 supplementation and the vegetarian group showed normal values for all parameters.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Vegans following a whole food diet had a borderline supply of vitamin B12. Folic acid, vitamin B6, TSH, iron metabolism, and the blood count were in the normal range. Vegans taking dietary supplements demonstrated satisfactory overall results. An ingestion of sundried mushrooms can contribute to the supply of vitamin D.
authors: Joachim
authors: J
authors: Schwarz
authors: Thomas
authors: T
authors: Dschietzig
authors: Jens
authors: J
authors: Schwarz
authors: Andreas
authors: A
authors: Dura
authors: Esther
authors: E
authors: Nelle
authors: Fumio
authors: F
authors: Watanabe
authors: Karl Florian
authors: KF
authors: Wintgens
authors: Michael
authors: M
authors: Reich
authors: Franz Paul
authors: FP
authors: Armbruster
mesh_terms: D000363:Agaricales; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D001774:Blood Chemical Analysis; D002762:Cholecalciferol / Q000097:blood; D003404:Creatinine / Q000097:blood; D014676:Diet, Vegetarian; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004872:Ergocalciferols / Q000097:blood; D005293:Ferritins / Q000097:blood; D005492:Folic Acid / Q000097:blood; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000378:metabolism; D006710:Homocysteine / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D008460:Meat; D008764:Methylmalonic Acid / Q000097:blood; D015596:Nutrition Assessment; D009752:Nutritional Status; D044664:Porphyra; D011446:Prospective Studies; D064167:Recommended Dietary Allowances; D013972:Thyrotropin / Q000097:blood; D013997:Time Factors; D014155:Transcobalamins / Q000378:metabolism; D014805:Vitamin B 12 / Q000097:blood; D015032:Zinc / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D004872:Ergocalciferols; D006454:Hemoglobins; D014155:Transcobalamins; D006710:Homocysteine; D002762:Cholecalciferol; D008764:Methylmalonic Acid; D013972:Thyrotropin; D005293:Ferritins; D005492:Folic Acid; D003404:Creatinine; D015032:Zinc; D014805:Vitamin B 12