Micronutrient status of recreational runners with vegetarian or non-vegetarian dietary patterns
Open accessAbstract
Vegetarian diets have gained popularity in sports. However, few data exist on the status of micronutrients and related biomarkers for vegetarian and vegan athletes. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to compare the micronutrient status of omnivorous (OMN, n = 27), lacto-ovo-vegetarian (LOV, n = 26), and vegan (VEG, n = 28) recreational runners. Biomarkers of vitamin B12, folate, vitamin D, and iron were assessed. Additionally, serum levels of calcium, magnesium, and zinc were examined. Lifestyle factors and supplement intake were recorded via questionnaires. About 80% of each group showed vitamin B12 adequacy with higher levels in supplement users. Mean red blood cell folate exceeded the reference range (>340 nmol/L) in all three groups (OMN: 2213 ± 444, LOV: 2236 ± 596, and VEG: 2354 ± 639 nmol/L; not significant, n.s.). Furthermore, vitamin D levels were comparable (OMN: 90.6 ± 32.1, LOV: 76.8 ± 33.7, and VEG: 86.2 ± 39.5 nmol/L; n.s.), and we found low prevalence (<20%) of vitamin D inadequacy in all three groups. Less than 30% of each group had depleted iron stores, however, iron deficiency anemia was not found in any subject. Our findings suggest that a well-planned, health-conscious lacto-ovo-vegetarian and vegan diet, including supplements, can meet the athlete’s requirements of vitamin B12, vitamin D and iron.
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The disparity in vitamin B12 status between athletes and the general population likely reflects higher overall energy intakes and the propensity for cobalamin supplementation in athletes.
“The disparity to the general population likely reflects higher overall energy intakes and the propensity for cobalamin supplementation in athletes”
From Nutritional Considerations for the Vegan Athlete (2023) · cites this paper as [236]
Nonsupplemented athletes report lower vitamin B12 levels irrespective of diet.
“with nonsupplemented athletes reporting lower vitamin B12 levels irrespective of diet”
From Nutritional Considerations for the Vegan Athlete (2023) · cites this paper as [236]
A recent study reported similar vitamin B12 plasma status across omnivorous, vegetarian, and vegan athletes.
“a recent study reported similar vitamin B12 plasma status across omnivorous, vegetarian and vegan athletes [236]”
From Nutritional Considerations for the Vegan Athlete (2023) · cites this paper as [236]
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References 65 · Cited by 55
Research works printed but not linked: 6
- [1]Melvin H.H. Sports Nutrition Modern Nutrition in Health and Disease Shils M.E. Shike M. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Philadelphia, PA, USA 2006 1723 1737 978-0-7817-4133-0
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- [50]Institute of Medicine (US) Committee to Review Dietary Reference Intakes for Vitamin D and Calcium Food and Nutrition Board Dietary Reference Intakes for Calcium and Vitamin D Ross A.C. Taylor C.L. Yaktine A.L. Del Valle H.B. The National Academies Collection: Reports funded by National Institutes of Health National Academies Press (US) Washington, DC, USA 2011 21796828
- Authors
- Nebl, J., Schuchardt, J. P., Ströhle, A., Wasserfurth, P., Haufe, S., Eigendorf, J., Tegtbur, U., & Hahn, A.
- Affiliations
- Leibniz University Hannover (DE)
- Medizinische Hochschule Hannover (DE)
- Corresponding author
- Hahn, Andreas
- ORCID
- Venue
- Nutrients
- Publisher
- MDPI AG
- Published
- 2019-05-22
- Volume
- 11
- Issue
- 5
- Pages
- 1146
- ISSN
- 2072-6643 (ISSN-L)
- PMC
- PMC6566694
- OpenAlex
- W2945739145
- Cited by
- 55
- References
- 65
- Citations by year
- 2026: 6 · 2025: 6 · 2024: 7 · 2023: 9 · 2022: 9 · 2021: 12 · 2020: 4 · 2019: 2
- FWCI
- 6.22
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- gold
- dx.doi.org
- Licence
- Locations
- Nutrients (publishedVersion, cc-by)
- Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (publishedVersion, cc-by)
- PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Institutional Repository of Leibniz Universität Hannover (Leibniz Universität Hannover) (submittedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
- DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion, cc-by-sa)
- Leibniz Universität Hannover (cc-by)
- Funders
- Leibniz-Gemeinschaft
- Topics
- 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
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Hematology › Iron Metabolism and Disorders
- Keywords
- micronutrient status, vegetarian diet, vegan diet, lacto-ovo-vegetarian diet, recreational runners, athletes, vitamin B12, folic acid, vitamin D, iron, calcium, magnesium, zinc, dietary supplements, iron deficiency
- MeSH terms
- Vegans, Diet, Vegan, Iron Deficiencies, Adult, Cross-Sectional Studies, Diet, Humans, Iron, Male, Nutritional Requirements, Nutritional Status, Running, Diet, Vegetarian, Vitamin B 12, Vitamin D, Vitamin D Deficiency, Biomarkers, Micronutrients
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