Vegetarianism supplements

Another commercially available product containing naturally occurring marine products is Formulaid , produced by Martek Biosciences as a nutritional supplement for infant formulas. Formulaid contains two fatty acids, arachidonic acid (ARA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), extracted from a variety of marine microalgae. ARA and DHA are the most abundant polyunsaturated fatty acids found in breast milk, and they are the most important fatty acids used in the development of brain gray matter. They are especially desirable for use in infant formulas because they come from nonmeat sources and can be advertised as vegetarian additives to the product. 

XXXX. WOULD VEGETARIANS BENEFIT FROM CARNOSINE SUPPLEMENTATION ... 

Vitamins and minerals, whose main dietary sources are other than fruits and vegetables, are also likely to play a significant role in the prevention and repair of DNA damage, and thus are important to the maintenance of long-term health. Vitamin B12 is found in animal products, and deficiencies of B12 cause a functional folate deficiency, accumulation of the amino acid homocysteine (a risk factor for heart disease),46 and chromosome breaks. B12 supplementation above the RDA was necessary to minimize chromosome breakage.47 Strict vegetarians are at increased risk for developing vitamin B12 deficiency. 

Since animals tend to concentrate in their own proteins the sulfur amino acids contained in the plants diey eat, such animal products (meat. eggs, and cheese) are valuable sources of the essential sulfur amino acids in human diets. In regions where die diet is composed almost entirely of foods of plant origin, deficiencies of sulfur amino acids may be critical in human nutrition. Frequently, persons in such areas (also voluntary vegetarians) are also likely to suffer from a number of odier dietary insufficiencies unless supplemental sources are used. 

Vegans eat no animal products. They need to take vitamin B12 from fortified foods or supplements. A vegan diet provides most of the benefits of a vegetarian diet when implemented correctly. 

Vegetarians can achieve an adequate intake of the essential amino acids if they eat many different plant foods. Plant proteins can be chosen to be complementary, with some foods supplying amino acids that others lack. An alternative is to supplement the vegetarian diet with a rich source of complete protein such as milk or eggs. 

Vitamin B12, cobalamin or cyanocobaltamin, C63H88CoN14Oi4P, has the most complicated structure of the B vitamins. It contains one atom of cobalt in its molecule. It is required in minute amounts but without it the manufacture of proteins and red blood cells is affected. A diet which is deficient in liver, eggs, meat, fish or milk can lead to pernicious anaemia. Vegetarians are often advised to take vitamin B12 supplements. 

Our interest in the role of trace elements in bone metabolism developed in a rather bizarre fashion. Ve became interested in the orthopedic problems of a prominent professional basketball player. Bill Walton. Several years ago he was plagued by frequent broken bones, pains in his joints and an inability to heal bone fractures. We hypothesized that he might be deficient in trace elements as a result of his very limited vegetarian diet. In cooperation with his physician, we were able to analyze Walton s serum. We found no detectable manganese (Mn). His serum concentrations of copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn) were below normal values. Dietary supplementation with trace elements and calcium (Ca) was begun. Over a period of several months his bones healed and he returned to professional basketball (1,2). In cooperation with several other orthopedic physicians, we analyzed serum from other patients with slow bone healing. Several of these patients also had abnormally low Zn, Cu and Mn levels. 

In our laboratory, the comparative effects of supplementation of a laboratory controlled vegetarian diet with three different fiber sources was examined when fed to omnivore and vegetarian subjects (14,15). 

Effect of Fiber Supplementation on Zinc Status of Vegetarian and Omnivore Subjects Fed a Laboratory Controlled Vegetarian Diet... 

Influence of Ascorbic Acid Supplementation on Zinc Utilization by Vegetarians and Omnivores... 

As shown on Table IV, mean serum zinc levels of vegetarian and omnivore subjects were similar while subjects received the basal diets without ascorbic acid supplementation. Ascorbic acid supplementation had no effect on serum zinc levels of the vegetarian subjects however, mean serum zinc levels of omnivore subjects were slightly (but not significantly) depressed by the same treatment. 

Mean urinary zinc excretion of omnivore and vegetarian subjects were not significantly different from one another nor did the addition of ascorbic acid supplements seem to have a pronounced effect (Table IV). Fecal zinc losses were significantly hlger for the omnivore subjects than for the vegetarian... 

Vitamin B12 (cyancobali-min, cobalamin) Protein and fatty acid metabolism production of red blood cells maintenance of nervous system, concentration and memory. Clams, oysters, beef, eggs and dairy products. Not found in many plant products strict vegetarians may need to consider Bi2 supplements. 2 mg No... 

The only pharmacological use of vitamin B12, other than for the treatment of deficiency or for rare children with vitamin dependency diseases affecting the binding of the coenzyme to methylmalonyl CoA mutase (Section 10.8.2), is as an antidote for cyanide poisoning. Supplements of vitamin B12 are available for strict vegetarians who might be at risk of deficiency. There is no evidence of any adverse effects of high intakes of vitamin B12. 

Pellagra-associated encephalopathy has been suspected as an adverse effect of isoniazid administration in several patients with tuberculosis. Deficiency of niacin (nicotinic acid) is characterized by dermatitis, diarrhea, and dementia. Other symptoms can occur, such as seizures, hallucinations, spasticity, and glossitis. Pellagra induced by isoniazid is promoted by malnutrition or a vegetarian diet with low intake of the nicotinamide precursors tryptophan and nicotinic acid. Specific supplementation is essential (10). 

Conquer, J.A. and Holub, B.J. (1996) Supplementation with an algae source of docosahexaenoic acid increases (n-3) fatty acid status and alters selected risk factors for heart disease in vegetarian subjects. J. Nutr. 126 3032-3039. 

Iron Utilization of Omnivore and Vegetarian Human Subjects Fed Laboratory Controlled Vegetarian Diets With and Without Fiber Supplements... 

Iron Status of Vegetarians and Omnivores Fed Laboratory Controlled Diets With and Without Ascorbic Acid Supplementation... 

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