Vegetarians status

The exact number of vegetarians in the United States, Europe and other countries remains unclear, in part because of difficulties in agreeing on who and what is being counted. In most surveys, participants were classified on the basis of self-described dietary habits, rather than objective assessments of actual consumption. As discussed below, survey respondents tend to overestimate their vegetarian status, exaggerating the extent of their dietary restrictions and the consistency of their adherence. Despite that, survey results indicate that the prevalence of consistently practicing vegetarians in the populations of the US and other developed countries is small. 

Davis, B. and Kris-Etherton, P. (2003). Achieving optimal essential fatty acid status in vegetarians Current knowledge and practical implications. Am. J. Clin. Nutr. 78, 640S-646S. 

Setchell KD, Cole SJ. 2006. Method of defining equol-producer status and its frequency among vegetarians. J Nutr 136 2188-2193. 

We have used stable Isotopes in several other zinc absorption studies. Sample analysis Is In progress from a study In which Zn was used to determine the effects of phtate and cellulose on zinc absorption In man. Studies were also conducted to determine zinc absorption from vegetarian diets, the effect of vitamin B-6 status on zinc absorption, and the effect of level of dietary zinc on zinc and copper absorption. 

Zinc Status of Vegetarians and Omnivores 7th Day Adventist Students Eating In a Lacto-Ovo-Vegetarian Food Service... 

Zinc Status of Vegetarian and Omnivore Subjects Fed Laboratory Controlled Vegetarian Diets... 

Craig, W. J. (1994). Iron status in vegetarians. Am. J. C/fn. Nuir. 59,1233S-1237S. 

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. 

Herrmann W, Schorr H, Obeid R, Geisel J. Vitamin B-12 status, particularly holotranscobalamin II and methylmalonic acid concentrations, and hyperhomo-cysteinemia in vegetarians. Am J Clin Nutr 2003 78 131-6. 

In a study from this laboratory, iron intakes and iron nutritional status of Seventh Day Adventist students attending Union College in Lincoln, Nebraska were studied. As a beginning study, 28 Seventh-Day Adventist students were asked to keep 3-day dietary diaries. Of the 28 subjects, 15 claimed to be vegetarians and 13 claimed to be omnivores. Most meals and food eaten by the subjects were obtained from the Union College cafeteria which is operated as a lacto-ovo-vegetarian food service. 

Iron Nutritional Status of Omnivore and Vegetarian Students Eating a Lacto-Ovo-Vegetarian Food Service Diet (Self-Selected)... 

From the results of these studies it would appear that diets of both vegetarian and omnivore women tend to contain less than recommended total amounts of iron. Furthermore, the iron in vegetarian diets tends to come from foods of suspected low iron bioavailability. However, on the basis of biochemical indices of iron status, most seemed to be in adequate nutritional status. Recently, Bergan and Brown (29), reported results of a study involving new vegetarians. Results indicated that 50% had non-acceptable hematocrit levels 23% had non-acceptable hemoglobin levels, 18% had non-acceptable serum iron levels,... 

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

Iron Status of Omnivore and Vegetarian Subjects Fed a Laboratory Vegetarian Diet Supplemented With Zinc (Zn) or... 

Osteomalacia is the name given to defective bone mineralization in adults (Fig. 2). Rickets is chiiractcrized by defects of bone and cartilage mineralization in children. Vitamin D deficiency was once the most common reason for rickets and osteomalacia, but the addition of vitamin D to foodstuffs has almost eliminated the condition except in the elderly or housebound. the institutionalized, and in certain ethnic groups. Elderly Asian women with a predominantly vegetarian diet are particularly at risk. Vitamin D status can be assessed by measurement of the main circulating metabolite. 23-hydroxycholecalciferol. in a scrum specimen. The metabolism of vitamin D is shown in Figure 3. 

The term vegetarian implies a homogeneity which does not exist among Canadian and American vegetarian women. Their diets and nutritional status vary greatly depending upon the particular regime they follow, other dietary proscriptions they include, their attitudes toward and use of the healthcare system and the presence or absence of other illnesses which compromise nutritional status (Dwyer, 1983). 

Vegetarians are generally more educated, have higher socioeconomic status, and more likely to adopt healthy and healthful behaviors. 

Herbert, V., 1994. Staging vitamin B-12 (cobalamin) status in vegetarians. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 59(suppl) 1213S-1222S. 

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