Serum concentrations of vitamin B12 and folate in British male omnivores, vegetarians and vegans: results from a cross-sectional analysis of the EPIC-Oxford cohort study
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Background/objectives Vegans, and to a lesser extent vegetarians, have low average circulating concentrations of vitamin B12; however, the relation between factors such as age or time on these diets and vitamin B12 concentrations is not clear. The objectives of this study were to investigate differences in serum vitamin B12 and folate concentrations between omnivores, vegetarians and vegans and to ascertain whether vitamin B12 concentrations differed by age and time on the diet.Subjects/methods A cross-sectional analysis involving 689 men (226 omnivores, 231 vegetarians and 232 vegans) from the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition Oxford cohort.Results Mean serum vitamin B12 was highest among omnivores (281, 95% CI: 270-292 pmol/l), intermediate among vegetarians (182, 95% CI: 175-189 pmol/l) and lowest among vegans (122, 95% CI: 117-127 pmol/l). In all, 52% of vegans, 7% of vegetarians and one omnivore were classified as vitamin B12 deficient (defined as serum vitamin B12 <118 pmol/l). There was no significant association between age or duration of adherence to a vegetarian or a vegan diet and serum vitamin B12. In contrast, folate concentrations were highest among vegans, intermediate among vegetarians and lowest among omnivores, but only two men (both omnivores) were categorized as folate deficient (defined as serum folate <6.3 nmol/l).Conclusion Vegans have lower vitamin B12 concentrations, but higher folate concentrations, than vegetarians and omnivores. Half of the vegans were categorized as vitamin B12 deficient and would be expected to have a higher risk of developing clinical symptoms related to vitamin B12 deficiency.
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In the EPIC-Oxford cohort, 52% of vegans were vitamin B12 deficient (serum vitamin B12 < 118 pmol/L) and an additional 21% had low but not deficient serum vitamin B12 (118-150 pmol/L).
“The EPIC-Oxford cohort study showed that 52% of vegans were vitamin B12 deficient (serum vitamin B12 < 118 pmol/L), and an additional 21% had low (but not deficient) serum vitamin B12 (118–150 pmol/L) [29]”
From Nutritional Considerations for the Vegan Athlete (2023) · cites this paper as [29]
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References 36 · Cited by 196
- Authors
- Gilsing, A. M. J., Crowe, F. L., Lloyd-Wright, Z., Sanders, T. A. B., Appleby, P. N., Allen, N. E., & Key, T. J.
- Affiliations
- University of Oxford (GB)
- King's College London (GB)
- Corresponding author
- Crowe, F L
- Venue
- European Journal of Clinical Nutrition
- Published
- 2010-07-21
- Volume
- 64
- Issue
- 9
- Pages
- 933-939
- ISSN
- 0954-3007 (ISSN-L)
- 1476-5640
- PMC
- PMC2933506
- OpenAlex
- W2014276975
- Cited by
- 196
- References
- 36
- Citations by year
- 2026: 11 · 2025: 12 · 2024: 16 · 2023: 18 · 2022: 12 · 2021: 27 · 2020: 22 · 2019: 13 · 2018: 17 · 2017: 10 · 2016: 7 · 2015: 3 · 2014: 8 · 2013: 12 · 2012: 4
- FWCI
- 4.25
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- green
- www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- Locations
- European Journal of Clinical Nutrition (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- PubMed Central (acceptedVersion)
- HAL (submittedVersion, other-oa)
- Research Portal (King's College London) (submittedVersion)
- Trinity's Access to Research Output (TARA) (Trinity College Dublin) (submittedVersion)
- Funders
- Cancer Research UK (A5028)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Rheumatology › Folate and B Vitamins Research
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Nutritional Studies and Diet
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Nutrition and Health Studies
- Keywords
- vitamin B12, folic acid, serum concentration, vegan diet, vegetarian diet, omnivorous diet, vitamin B12 deficiency, folate deficiency, men
- MeSH terms
- Adult, Age Factors, Aged, Cross-Sectional Studies, Diet, Folic Acid, Folic Acid Deficiency, United Kingdom, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Nutrition Surveys, Nutritional Requirements, Nutritional Status, Prospective Studies, Time Factors, Diet, Vegetarian, Vitamin B Complex, Vitamin B 12, Vitamin B 12 Deficiency, Cohort Studies, Young Adult
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