Effect of Vegetarian Diet on Homocysteine Levels

Abstract

Objective: To compare fasting total plasma homocysteine (tHcy) levels in vegans, lacto-ovovegetarians and control subjects, and to evaluate the relationships between tHcy levels and nutritional variables in vegetarians. Methods: The study was conducted on 45 vegetarian subjects: 31 vegans (19 males, 12 females, mean age 45.8 ± 15.8 years); 14 lacto-ovovegetarians (6 males, 8 females, mean age 48.5 ± 14.5 years), and 29 control subjects (19 males, 10 females, mean age 43.4 ± 16.7 years). tHcy was evaluated by high-performance liquid chromatography. Serum vitamin B₁₂ and folate were analyzed by automated chemiluminescence systems. Clinical records, nutritional and anthropometric variables were collected for all vegetarian subjects. Results: tHcy was significantly higher in vegetarian subjects than in controls (23.9 ± 21.3 vs. 11.6 ± 4.9 µmol/l, p < 0.001). The prevalence of hyperhomocysteinemia was higher in vegetarians than in controls (53.3 vs. 10.3%, p < 0.001). Serum vitamin B₁₂ levels were lower in vegetarians than in control subjects (171.2 ± 73.6 vs. 265.0 ± 52.2 pmol/l, p < 0.01; normal range 220–740 pmol/l). In vegetarian subjects, significant inverse correlations were found between tHcy and serum vitamin B₁₂ levels (r = –0.776, p < 0.001) and between tHcy and serum folate levels (r = –0.340, p < 0.05). Positive correlations were found between tHcy and mean red cell volume (r = 0.44, p < 0.01) and between tHcy and fat-free mass (r = 0.36, p < 0.05). Conclusion: Vegetarian subjects presented significantly higher tHcy levels, higher prevalence of hyperhomocysteinemia, and lower serum vitamin B₁₂ levels than controls.

A Community Based Study of the Relationship Between Homocysteine and Some of the Life Style Factors

“…Vegetarians are more likely to be deficient in vitamin B6, vitamin B 12 , and folate which are the essential cofactors for homocysteine metabolism. Recent evidence strongly suggests that too little vitamin B 12 can lead to high level of homocysteine [28][29][30][31][32][33]. In our study, we have seen that weight and alcohol intake are statistically significant predictors of homocysteine (P = 0.006 and P = 0.036, respectively).…”

Dieta vegetariana e níveis de colesterol e triglicérides

“…Iron deficiency may also be associated, thus masking the megaloblastic anemia condition 24 . There are also reports of higher prevalence of hypospadia 26 and higher levels of homocysteine among vegetarians as compared to omnivores 27 . Additionally, congenital hypothyroidism cases have been reported in children breast fed exclusively with vegan mothers' milk (in regions where not all salts are iodated) 28 , as well as bilateral optical neuropathy, severe sight impairment, and other visual problems in vegan patients (there has been significant improvement of the condition after multivitamin supplement administration) 29 .…”

Correlation of Serum Homocysteine Levels with the Severity of Coronary Artery Disease

“…Increasing age, male sex, smoking, coffee consumption, high blood pressure, unfavorable lipid profile, high creatinine and faulty diet are among the factors associated with increased homocysteine levels; physical activity, moderate alcohol consumption, a good folate and vitamin B-12 status are associated with lower homocysteine levels [10]. Strict vegetarians are often at risk for hyperhomocysteinemia due to low plasma B12 levels [11,12]. Coffee consumption seems to be linked with moderate elevations in homocysteine [13].…”