Homocysteine and cobalamin status in German vegans

Annika Waldmann, Jochen W. Koschizke, Claus Leitzmann, Andreas Hahn*

*Corresponding author for this work
34 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

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; age 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.

Original languageEnglish
JournalPublic Health Nutrition
Volume7
Issue number3
Pages (from-to)467-472
Number of pages6
ISSN1368-9800
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 05.2004

Research Areas and Centers

  • Research Area: Center for Population Medicine and Public Health (ZBV)

DFG Research Classification Scheme

  • 2.22-02 Public Health, Healthcare Research, Social and Occupational Medicine
  • 2.22-05 Nutritional Sciences

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Homocysteine and cobalamin status in German vegans'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this