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Comparison of Selected Micronutrient Intakes Between Vegans and Omnivores Using Dietary Reference Intakes
Author(s) -
Ezmirly Mawaddah,
Phelps Josh,
Crook Tina,
Hakkak Reza
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.29.1_supplement.587.15
Subject(s) - dietary reference intake , micronutrient , national health and nutrition examination survey , omnivore , medicine , vegan diet , vitamin , reference daily intake , vitamin b12 , zoology , nutrient , food science , endocrinology , environmental health , chemistry , population , biology , paleontology , organic chemistry , pathology , predation
Using National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2009‐2010 data for 32 participants 25‐60 years of age, the aim of this study was to compare vitamin (B12, D) and mineral (calcium, iron, zinc) intakes of vegans (n=16) to intakes of omnivores (n=16), as well as to Dietary Reference Intakes (DRIs), and vegetarian‐specific recommendations. The vegan sample was defined using NHANES dietary data and randomly matched to a sample of omnivores. Results showed vegans had significantly lower mean intakes of B12 (p=.020), D (p=.012), and zinc (p=.032) compared to omnivores. Neither groups' mean intake of B12 was lower than the Recommend Dietary Allowance (RDA). Both groups had mean D intakes significantly (p<.001) lower than the RDA. Neither groups' mean intake of zinc differed significantly from the RDA; however, female vegans had a mean zinc intake significantly (p<.001) lower than the vegetarian‐specific recommendation. Mean calcium intakes for females (age<51 years) in both groups were significantly (vegan, p=.006; omnivore, p=.045) lower than the RDA. Female vegans (age 蠅51 years) had a mean calcium intake significantly (p=.019) lower than the RDA. While females (age<51 years) in both groups had mean iron intakes lower than the RDA, only omnivores had a significantly (p=.024) lower mean intake. Female (age<51 years) vegans had a significantly (p=.001) lower mean intake than the vegetarian‐specific recommendation for iron. Results suggest females may benefit from dietary efforts to increase consumption of calcium and iron, while female vegans may benefit from increased dietary consumption of zinc. Vitamin D consumption should be encouraged across all groups.