According to a new study, vegetarians and vegans are at an increased risk of having elevated homocysteine levels, which has been shown in many studies to cause adverse health effects.
Researchers compared homocysteine (Hcy) levels in 62 vegetarians, 32 vegans, and 59 people consuming an omnivorous diet.
Compared to the omnivorous group, whose avg. Hcy levels were about 10.2 mmol/l, levels in the other groups were found to be:
Greater than 50% higher in the vegan group (15.8 mmol/l)
The authors note that the vegan diet provides essentially no vitamin B12, and people following vegetarian diets may suffer from a deficit as well, due to the lower levels in the diet.
In addition, people consuming the vegan and vegetarian diets were also not getting adequate amounts of the essential amino acid methionine, due to the lower methionine content in plant proteins versus animal proteins.
The serum vitamin B12 levels were 37% lower in the vegetarian group and 59% lower in the vegan group, compared with the omnivorous group.
Serum B12 levels:
In addition, B12 levels were low enough to be considered clinically deficient in:
Serum folate levels were within the normal range for all three groups, although they were significantly lower in omnivores.
The authors conclude that "The results show that the mild hyperhomocysteinemia in alternative nutrition is a consequence of vitamin B12 deficiency."
Annals of Nutrition and Metabolism 2000;44:135-138
It is important to note that there are several types of B12. Most people do not absorb it well orally and intramuscular injections are preferred. However some sublingual or spray forms may be beneficial. Methylcobalamin is also far more effective than the traditionally used cynacobalamin.
Homocysteine can cause many problems in addition to heart disease. If a woman is pregnant or may possibly become pregnant, it is very important to keep homocysteine levels low, as it can cause birth defects.
One strong inhibitor of vitamin B12 absorption is the very popular drug Prilosec (omeprazole) which has been clearly shown to decrease B12 absorption (Ann Pharmacother 1999 May;33:641-3). This is possibly due to its effects on decreasing the production of intrinsic factor, which is needed for proper B12 absorption. Other medications likely have similar adverse effects as well.
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