Rethinking Red Meat as a Prevention Strategy for Iron Deficiency

Agarwal, Ulka

doi:10.1177/1941406413491285

Cited by 8 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 53 publications

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“…The incidence of iron deficiency anemia during weaning is not increased in vegetarian/vegan infants and their serum ferritin levels, as well as growth, are not reduced compared to omnivores [ 41 , 42 ]. However, a previous study found that vegetarian children under three years of age had serum ferritin levels < 10 mg/L in 64% of cases, hence these findings should be interpreted with caution [ 43 ].…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Vegetarian and Vegan Weaning of the Infant: How Common and How Evidence-Based? A Population-Based Survey and Narrative Review

Martire

Panza

Farella

et al. 2020

IJERPH

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Background: Vegetarian and vegan weaning have increasing popularity among parents and families. However, if not correctly managed, they may lead to wrong feeding regimens, causing severe nutritional deficiencies requiring specific nutritional support or even the need for hospitalization. Aim: To assess the prevalence of vegetarian and vegan weaning among Italian families and to provide an up-to-date narrative review of supporting evidence. Materials and methods: We investigated 360 Italian families using a 40-item questionnaire. The narrative review was conducted searching scientific databases for articles reporting on vegetarian and vegan weaning. Results: 8.6% of mothers follow an alternative feeding regimen and 9.2% of infants were weaned according to a vegetarian or vegan diet. The breastfeeding duration was longer in vegetarian/vegan infants (15.8 vs. 9.7 months; p < 0.0001). Almost half of parents (45.2%) claim that their pediatrician was unable to provide sufficient information and adequate indications regarding unconventional weaning and 77.4% of parents reported the pediatrician’s resistance towards alternative weaning methods. Nine studies were suitable for the review process. The vast majority of authors agree on the fact that vegetarian and vegan weaning may cause severe nutritional deficiencies, whose detrimental effects are particularly significant in the early stages of life. Discussion and conclusion: Our results show that alternative weaning methods are followed by a significant number of families; in half of the cases, the family pediatrician was not perceived as an appropriate guide in this delicate process. To date, consistent findings to support both the safety and feasibility of alternative weaning methods are still lacking. Since the risk of nutritional deficiencies in the early stages of life is high, pediatricians have a pivotal role in guiding parents and advising them on the most appropriate and complete diet regimen during childhood. Efforts should be made to enhance nutritional understanding among pediatricians as an unsupervised vegetarian or vegan diet can cause severe nutritional deficiencies with possible detrimental long-term effects.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Vegetarian and Vegan Weaning of the Infant: How Common and How Evidence-Based? A Population-Based Survey and Narrative Review

Martire

Panza

Farella

et al. 2020

IJERPH

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“…The incidence of iron deficiency anaemia during weaning is not higher in LOV/VEG children than OMN children, and serum ferritin levels (and growth) are usually within normal ranges in LOV/VEG children [158].…”

Section: Breastfeeding Women and Preschool Children (6 Months To 3 Yementioning

confidence: 90%

Position paper on vegetarian diets from the working group of the Italian Society of Human Nutrition

Agnoli

Baroni

Bertini³

et al. 2017

Nutrition, Metabolism and Cardiovascular Diseases

247

200

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“…Humans have a limited ability to excrete excess stored iron [258], so consuming large amounts of heme iron may be unhealthy due to its pro-oxidant nature. Consumption of heme iron has been associated with an increased risk of chronic diseases such as diabetes, metabolic syndrome, and colorectal cancer [269][270][271][272]. Vegetarians typically have lower iron stores (as reflected in lower serum ferritin levels), which may be an advantage as lower serum ferritin levels may be associated with improved insulin sensitivity and reduced risk of T2D [258,273].…”

Section: Ironmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Safe and Effective Use of Plant-Based Diets with Guidelines for Health Professionals

et al. 2021

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Plant-based diets, defined here as including both vegan and lacto-ovo-vegetarian diets, are growing in popularity throughout the Western world for various reasons, including concerns for human health and the health of the planet. Plant-based diets are more environmentally sustainable than meat-based diets and have a reduced environmental impact, including producing lower levels of greenhouse gas emissions. Dietary guidelines are normally formulated to enhance the health of society, reduce the risk of chronic diseases, and prevent nutritional deficiencies. We reviewed the scientific data on plant-based diets to summarize their preventative and therapeutic role in cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes, obesity, and osteoporosis. Consuming plant-based diets is safe and effective for all stages of the life cycle, from pregnancy and lactation, to childhood, to old age. Plant-based diets, which are high in fiber and polyphenolics, are also associated with a diverse gut microbiota, producing metabolites that have anti-inflammatory functions that may help manage disease processes. Concerns about the adequate intake of a number of nutrients, including vitamin B12, calcium, vitamin D, iron, zinc, and omega-3 fats, are discussed. The use of fortified foods and/or supplements as well as appropriate food choices are outlined for each nutrient. Finally, guidelines are suggested for health professionals working with clients consuming plant-based diets.

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Rethinking Red Meat as a Prevention Strategy for Iron Deficiency

Cited by 8 publications

References 53 publications

Vegetarian and Vegan Weaning of the Infant: How Common and How Evidence-Based? A Population-Based Survey and Narrative Review

Vegetarian and Vegan Weaning of the Infant: How Common and How Evidence-Based? A Population-Based Survey and Narrative Review

Position paper on vegetarian diets from the working group of the Italian Society of Human Nutrition

The Safe and Effective Use of Plant-Based Diets with Guidelines for Health Professionals

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