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Cited by 110Iron Metabolism and DisordersNutritional Studies and DietDiabetes, Cardiovascular Risks, and Lipoproteins

Low iron status and enhanced insulin sensitivity in lacto-ovo vegetarians

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Hua, Nancy W., Stoohs, Riccardo A., Facchini, Francesco S.·2001·British Journal of Nutrition
DOI 10.1079/bjn2001421
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Abstract

The efficacy of insulin in stimulating whole-body glucose disposal (insulin sensitivity) was quantified using direct methodology in thirty lacto-ovo vegetarians and in thirty meat-eaters. All subjects were adult, lean (BMI <23 kg/m 2), healthy and glucose tolerant. Lacto-ovo vegetarians were more insulin sensitive than meat-eaters, with a steady-state plasma glucose (mmol/l) of 4·1 (95 % CI 3·5, 5·0)v.6·9 (95 % CI 5·2, 7·5; P=0·0028) respectively. In addition, lacto-ovo vegetarians had lower body Fe stores, as indicated by a serum ferritin concentration (μg/l) of 35 (95 % CI 21, 49) compared with 72 (95 % CI 45, 100) for meat-eaters (P=0·0012). To test whether or not Fe status might modulate insulin sensitivity, body Fe was lowered by phlebotomy in six male meat-eaters to levels similar to that seen in vegetarians, with a resultant approximately 40 % enhancement of insulin-mediated glucose disposal (P=0·0008). Our results demonstrate that lacto-ovo vegetarians are more insulin sensitive and have lower Fe stores than meat-eaters. In addition, it seems that reduced insulin sensitivity in meat-eaters is amenable to improvement by reducing body Fe. The latter finding is in agreement with results from animal studies where, no matter how induced, Fe depletion consistently enhanced glucose disposal.

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Research works printed but not linked: 5

  1. Anderson HD, McDonough KB & Elvejhem CA (1940) Relation of the dietary calcium-phosphorus ratio to iron assimilation. Journal of Laboratory and Clinical Medicine 25, 464-471.
  2. Dandona P, Hussein MA, Varghees Z, Politis D, Flynn DM & Hoffbrand AV (1983) Glucose intolerance & iron overload. Annals of Clinical Biochemistry 20, 77 -79.
  3. Donovan UM & Gibson RS (1995) Iron and zinc status of young women consuming vegetarian and omnivorous diets. Journal of the American College of Nutrition 14, 463-472.
  4. Hughes TA, Gwynne JT, Switzer BR, Herbst C & White G (1984) Effects of caloric restriction and weight loss on insulin release and resistance in obese patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. American Journal of Medicine 77, 7 -17.
  5. Olefsky J, Reaven GM & Farquhar JW (1974) Effects of weight reduction on obesity. Journal of Clinical Investigation 53, 64-76.

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Authors
Hua, N. W., Stoohs, R. A., & Facchini, F. S.
Affiliations
San Francisco General Hospital (US)
Corresponding author
Facchini, Francesco S.
ORCID
Stoohs, Riccardo A.
Venue
British Journal of Nutrition
Publisher
Cambridge University Press (CUP)
Published
2001-10
Volume
86
Issue
4
Pages
515-519
ISSN
  • 0007-1145 (ISSN-L)
  • 1475-2662
DOI
10.1079/bjn2001421
OpenAlex
W2114291848
Cited by
110
References
51
Citations by year
2026: 1 · 2023: 4 · 2022: 1 · 2021: 4 · 2020: 4 · 2018: 2 · 2017: 5 · 2016: 5 · 2015: 4 · 2014: 10 · 2013: 2 · 2012: 9
FWCI
2.90
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
www.cambridge.org/core/terms (unspecified, 1985 d)
Locations
  • British Journal Of Nutrition (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Hematology › Iron Metabolism and Disorders
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Nutritional Studies and Diet
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism › Diabetes, Cardiovascular Risks, and Lipoproteins
Keywords
lacto-ovo-vegetarian diet, iron status, serum ferritin, iron stores, insulin sensitivity, insulin-stimulated glucose disposal, phlebotomy, meat-eaters, dietary iron restriction
MeSH terms
Adult, Blood Glucose, Female, Ferritins, Glucose, Humans, Infusions, Intravenous, Insulin, Insulin Resistance, Iron, Male, Nutritional Status, Somatostatin, Diet, Vegetarian, Linear Models, Phlebotomy

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