Hi folks!

Just got this off of Medline.  Indicates effects of low B12 intake among
vegetarians and vegans (26% of vegetarians and 78% of vegans were serum B12
deficient, vs. 0% of omnivores).  Also note that at least in the vegetarians
and vegans in this study, methionine intake was deficient, due to low levels
of this amino acid in plant proteins.  Hyperhomocysteinemia is not good.
More evidence that man requires an omnivorous diet.

Don 


Homocysteine levels in vegetarians versus omnivores.

Ann Nutr Metab 2000;44(3):135-8   (ISSN: 0250-6807)

Krajcovicova-Kudlackova M; Blazicek P; Kopcova J; Bederova A; Babinska K
[Find other articles with these Authors]
Institute of Preventive and Clinical Medicine, Bratislava, Slovak Republic.

Vitamin B(12), folate, and vitamin B(6) are the main determinants of
homocysteinemia. The vegan diet provides no vitamin B(12), but also less
strict forms of alternative nutrition may suffer from a deficit of this
vitamin. The plasma homocysteine level was measured in alternative nutrition
groups of adults (lacto- and lactoovovegetarians, n = 62; vegans, n = 32)
and compared with the levels in a group consuming traditional diet (n = 59),
omnivores). In the group of vegetarians the average homocysteine level is
13.18 vs. 10.19 micromol/l in omnivores; the frequency of
hyperhomocysteinemia is 29 vs. 5% in omnivores. In the group of vegans the
average homocysteine value is 15.79 micromol/l (53% of the individual values
exceeded 15 micromol/l). Omnivores consume the recommended amount of
methionine; however, in individuals consuming an alternative diet, the
intake of methionine is deficient (assessed by food frequency questionnaire;
lower content of methionine in plant proteins). Under conditions of lower
methionine availability the remethylation pathway prevails; therefore,
vitamin B(12) and folate were evaluated in relation to the homocysteine
level. The serum vitamin B(12) levels are significantly lower in the
alternative nutrition groups (214.8 pmol/l in vegetarians, 140.1 pmol/l in
vegans vs. 344.7 pmol/l in omnivores); a deficit (<179.0 pmol/l) was found
in 26% of the vegetarians and in 78% of the vegans vs. 0% in omnivores. The
serum folate levels were within the range of reference values in all groups;
however, they were significantly lower in omnivores. The results show that
the mild hyperhomocysteinemia in alternative nutrition is a consequence of
vitamin B(12) deficiency. [Copyright 2000 S. Karger AG, Basel].