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Homocysteine and cobalamin status in German vegans

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 January 2007

Annika Waldmann ,
Jochen W Koschizke ,
Claus Leitzmann  and
Andreas Hahn
Annika Waldmann
Affiliation:
Institute of Food Science, University of Hanover, Wunstorfer Strasse 14, D–30453 Hanover, Germany
Jochen W Koschizke
Affiliation:
Institute of Food Science, University of Hanover, Wunstorfer Strasse 14, D–30453 Hanover, Germany
Claus Leitzmann
Affiliation:
Institute of Nutrition Science, Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, Germany
Andreas Hahn*
Affiliation:
Institute of Food Science, University of Hanover, Wunstorfer Strasse 14, D–30453 Hanover, Germany
*
*Corresponding author: Email Andreas.Hahn@lw.uni-hannover.de
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Abstract

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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.

Design and setting:

Cross-sectional study, Germany.

Subjects:

The dietary and nutritional intakes of 131 vegans (73 women, 58 men; a 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).

Conclusion:

Cobalamin status needs to be improved in order to minimise the risk of hyperhomocysteinaemia.

Keywords

VeganismCobalaminHomocysteinePyridoxineFolate
Type
Research Article
Information
Public Health Nutrition , Volume 7 , Issue 3 , May 2004 , pp. 467 - 472
Copyright
Copyright © CAB International 2004

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