title: Food and Nutrient Intake and Nutritional Status of Finnish Vegans and Non-Vegetarians.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Vegetarian and vegan diets have become more popular among adolescents and young adults. However, few studies have investigated the nutritional status of vegans, who may be at risk of nutritional deficiencies.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To compare dietary intake and nutritional status of Finnish long-term vegans and non-vegetarians.
  
  
  METHODS
  Dietary intake and supplement use were estimated using three-day dietary records. Nutritional status was assessed by measuring biomarkers in plasma, serum, and urine samples. Vegans' (n = 22) data was compared with those of sex- and age-matched non-vegetarians (n = 19).
  
  
  RESULTS
  All vegans adhered strictly to their diet; however, individual variability was marked in food consumption and supplementation habits. Dietary intakes of key nutrients, vitamins B12 and D, were lower (P < 0.001) in vegans than in non-vegetarians. Nutritional biomarker measurements showed lower concentrations of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 (25(OH)D3), iodine and selenium (corrected for multiple comparisons, P < 0.001), Vegans showed more favorable fatty acid profiles (P < 0.001) as well as much higher concentrations of polyphenols such as genistein and daidzein (P < 0.001). Eicosapentaenoic acid proportions in vegans were higher than expected. The median concentration of iodine in urine was below the recommended levels in both groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Long-term consumption of a vegan diet was associated with some favorable laboratory measures but also with lowered concentrations of key nutrients compared to reference values. This study highlights the need for nutritional guidance to vegans.
authors: School of Applied Educational Science and Teacher Education, University of Eastern Finland, Savonlinna, Finland.
authors: Anna-Liisa
authors: AL
authors: Elorinne
authors: The Genomics and Biomarkers Unit, National Institute for Health and Welfare, Helsinki, Finland.
authors: Georg
authors: G
authors: Alfthan
authors: The Genomics and Biomarkers Unit, National Institute for Health and Welfare, Helsinki, Finland.
authors: Iris
authors: I
authors: Erlund
authors: Institute of Public Health and Clinical Nutrition, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland.
authors: Hanna
authors: H
authors: Kivimäki
authors: Department of Clinical Chemistry and Hematology, Helsinki University Central Hospital Laboratory, Helsinki University Central Hospital, Helsinki, Finland.
authors: Annukka
authors: A
authors: Paju
authors: The Genomics and Biomarkers Unit, National Institute for Health and Welfare, Helsinki, Finland.
authors: Irma
authors: I
authors: Salminen
authors: HUSLAB, Helsinki University Central Hospital, Helsinki, Finland.
authors: Ursula
authors: U
authors: Turpeinen
authors: Institute of Public Health and Clinical Nutrition, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland.
authors: Sari
authors: S
authors: Voutilainen
authors: Finnish Safety and Chemicals Agency, Helsinki, Finland.
authors: Juha
authors: J
authors: Laakso
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002762:Cholecalciferol / Q000097:blood; D000067269:Diet, Vegan / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D014676:Diet, Vegetarian / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004435:Eating; D015118:Eicosapentaenoic Acid / Q000097:blood; D002149:Energy Intake; D005227:Fatty Acids / Q000097:blood; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D005387:Finland; D005502:Food; D019833:Genistein / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D007455:Iodine / Q000097:blood / Q000652:urine; D007529:Isoflavones / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009751:Nutritional Requirements / Q000502:physiology*; D009752:Nutritional Status / Q000502:physiology*; D059808:Polyphenols / Q000097:blood; D012643:Selenium / Q000097:blood; D000066989:Vegans; D000066988:Vegetarians; D014805:Vitamin B 12 / Q000097:blood; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D005227:Fatty Acids; D007529:Isoflavones; D059808:Polyphenols; D002762:Cholecalciferol; C004742:daidzein; D007455:Iodine; D015118:Eicosapentaenoic Acid; D019833:Genistein; D012643:Selenium; D014805:Vitamin B 12