Non-vegetarian Subjects Research Articles

Vegan and vegetarian diet influence on bone health - a short review

Introduction and purpose: Vegan and vegetarian diets rise in popularity. Their succes can be attributed to growing ecological awarness and trends in culture. Opponents criticise these diets as incompletely nutritional. In this review, we would like to summarise the state of knowledge over effects of vegan and vegetarian diets on skeletal system. Bone Mineral Density is a widely used indicator of likelyhood of fracture and develompent of osteoporosis. Comparing that parameter between vegans and vegetarians and non-vegans can lead to conclusions about bones’ health. A brief description of the state of knowledge: Lower intake of calcium and vitamins (D3, B12) in vegans and vegetarians can lead to lower bone mineral density and higher risk of fracture. Although, with supplementation of those nutrients negative effects are greatly reduced. Higher bone mineral density in non-vegetarian subjects can be result of higher body mass, gender and other factors. Plant-based diets are less acid-forming than their counterpart, resulting in lower bone resorption and reduced loss of calcium. Conclusions: Vegan and vegetarian diet can result in lower boner mineral density. However, if applied correctly, with supplementation of lacking nutrients, or enriching the diet with dairy products it may not lead to any negative effects on bones. Substances contained in plants, more frequently eaten by vegans and vegetarians may have positive effects on bone mineral density.

Does Indian Vegetarian Diets Have Any Beneficial Influence on Metabolic Profile of Apparently Healthy Urban Adults?

Abstract Objectives To assess the prevalence of MetS and its specific components among apparently healthy vegetarian urban adults in Delhi. Methods The study was conducted on 400 apparently healthy Indian urban adults, with equal number of subjects who followed the vegetarian (n = 200) and non-vegetarian (n = 200) diets at least a year prior to enrolment in the study. Purposive sampling was used to recruit eligible subjects by holding health camps at different locations in Delhi. Data pertaining to anthropometric measures, indices, blood pressure profile were gathered using standard protocols. Fasting blood samples were taken to assess the blood glucose and lipid profile of the subjects. MetS was assessed using NCEP –ATP III criteria for Asians. Results The prevalence of MetS in the study subjects was observed to be 47.25% viz. was almost similar among both vegetarians and non-vegetarian subjects (47.5% vs. 47%, P = 1). There were no significant differences observed between VM (31.2%) and NVM (27.8%) and also between VF (54.8) and NVF (53.4%). There were no significant differences observed among VS and NVS as far as the aberrations related to the five metabolic components to detect MetS in the subjects were concerned. An almost equal number of VS and NVS had anomalies related to abdominal obesity (61% vs. 65.5%) high blood pressure (44.5% vs. 54%) fasting blood glucose levels (16% vs. 24%) low HDL (55% vs. 54%) and elevated triglycerides (52.5% vs. 52.5%). Conclusions The much predictive benefits of the VD on the metabolic profile of the subjects were not evident in the present study participants as both VS and NVS had equally distorted metabolic profiles which highlight the importance of considering the variations and quality of the VD that negatively affects the body composition and contributes to the development of subsequent risk of developing MetS. Funding Sources The financial assistance for the study was provided by University Grants Commission, Government of India as Junior Research Fellow scheme.

Comparison of Haemoglobin Level in Vegetarian and Non-Vegetarian Subjects

Comparison of Haemoglobin Level in Vegetarian and Non-Vegetarian Subjects

Analysis of health-related biomarkers between vegetarians and non-vegetarians: A multi-biomarker approach

This study was performed in a group of adult vegetarians (N = 40) and matched non-vegetarian subjects (N = 40) in order to analyse differences in health-related biomarkers. Obtained results revealed differences in various biomarkers between subjects on a traditional mixed and vegetarian diet, indicating that vegetarians have a lower nutritional status of some nutrients (Ca, Cu and Zn, and vitamins B12 and D) accompanied with a lower antioxidant defence system (glutathione) and higher homocysteine and genome damage (micronuclei and DNA strand breaks), along with shorter telomeres. This suggests that the supplementation of animal derived nutrients to this particular dietary group would be beneficial for the improvement of some measured health-related biomarkers. However, the level of certain toxic metals (As and Hg) was higher in non-vegetarians. The presented multi-biomarker approach implies the necessity of evaluating a large number of different health-related biomarkers in order to obtain clear insight into dietary preferences and health outcomes.

Cross-sectional and longitudinal comparisons of metabolic profiles between vegetarian and non-vegetarian subjects: a matched cohort study.

Several previous cross-sectional studies have shown that vegetarians have a better metabolic profile than non-vegetarians, suggesting that a vegetarian dietary pattern may help prevent chronic degenerative diseases. However, longitudinal studies on the impact of vegetarian diets on metabolic traits are scarce. We studied how several sub-types of vegetarian diets affect metabolic traits, including waist circumference, BMI, systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure, fasting blood glucose, total cholesterol (TC), HDL, LDL, TAG and TC:HDL ratio, through both cross-sectional and longitudinal study designs. The study used the MJ Health Screening database, with data collected from 1994 to 2008 in Taiwan, which included 4415 lacto-ovo-vegetarians, 1855 lacto-vegetarians and 1913 vegans; each vegetarian was matched with five non-vegetarians based on age, sex and study site. In the longitudinal follow-up, each additional year of vegan diet lowered the risk of obesity by 7 % (95 % CI 0·88, 0·99), whereas each additional year of lacto-vegetarian diet lowered the risk of elevated SBP by 8 % (95 % CI 0·85, 0·99) and elevated glucose by 7 % (95 % CI 0·87, 0·99), and each additional year of ovo-lacto-vegetarian diet increased abnormal HDL by 7 % (95 % CI 1·03, 1·12), compared with non-vegetarians. In the cross-sectional comparisons, all sub-types of vegetarians had lower likelihoods of abnormalities compared with non-vegetarians on all metabolic traits (P<0·001 for all comparisons), except for HDL and TAG. The better metabolic profile in vegetarians is partially attributable to lower BMI. With proper management of TAG and HDL, along with caution about the intake of refined carbohydrates and fructose, a plant-based diet may benefit all aspects of the metabolic profile.

SHORT TERM EFFECTS ON LIPID PROFILE AND GLYCAEMIA OF A LOW-FAT VEGETARIAN DIET

vegetarian diets have been associated with lower risk of cardiovascular disease and a more favourable lipid profile in vegetarians who follow these diets for a long term period in observational studies, but the short-term effects of vegetarian diets are less known. our objective was to analyze the short-term effects of a low-fat vegetarian diet on lipid profile and fasting glucose in previously non-vegetarian subjects from a Mediterranean population. we carried out a nutritional intervention study in 159 volunteers (42 men and 117 women). A whole lacto-vegetarian diet low in fat (20%) was administered. A full daily menu was provided for 15 days under strict interned conditions. Fasting blood samples were obtained before and after dietary intervention and total cholesterol, HDL-C, LDL-C, triglycerides and fasting glucose were determined. Multivariate models for repeated measures were used. after dietary intervention, we detected statistically significant reductions in total cholesterol (-17.54 ± 37.14 mg/dl), LDL-C (-9.33 ± 34.29 mg/dl), HDL-C (-5.32 ± 12.16 mg/dl), and triglycerides (-18.92 ± 50.50 mg/dl). These reductions remained statistically significant after adjustment for sex and age. Significant weight changes were also detected. The additional adjustment for changes in body mass index (BMI) attenued the significance of the decrease in triglycerides (P = 0.067). a lacto-vegetarian diet low in fat, produces favourable and significant decreases in total cholesterol, LDL-C (independent of weight loss) and triglycerides (mediated by weight loss). This intervention also produced an expected decrease in HDL-C due to its reduced fat content.

Lipid Profile and Atherogenic Index of Plasma (AIP) in Vegetarians

Background: Diet deficient in fresh fruits and vegetables are associated with an increased risk of coronary diseases. Low levels of vitamin C, vitamin E and other antioxidants may enhance the production of oxidized LDL and are important independent risk factors for coronary disease. Objective: To make a comparative evaluation of lipid profile and atherogenic index of plasma (AIP) between vegetarians and nonvegetarians. Materials and Methods: This case-control study was carried out in the Department of Biochemistry of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU), Dhaka between July 2011 to June 2012. Vegetarian and nonvegetarian subjects of male sex were the study population. Vegetarians were considered as cases while nonvegetarians as controls. After proper ethical consideration a total of 30 vegetarians and 40 nonvegetarians were consecutively included in the study based on predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria. Laboratory investigations were done in the Department of Biochemistry, BSMMU, Dhaka. Results: The vegetarians had significantly lower total cholesterol and LDLcholesterol than the nonvegetarians (p=0.000 and p=0.000 respectively). Serum HDL cholesterol was also lower among the vegetarians (p=0.002) and triglycerides were almost identical in both the groups (p=0.272). Conclusion: The study reveals lower level of total cholesterol, LDLcholesterol and HDL-cholesterol in vegetarians. No difference regarding triglycerides and AIP was found between the groups. So, the findings of this study do not indicate any superiority of vegetarian diet in control and prevention of cardiac diseases. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jemc.v5i1.21494 J Enam Med Col 2015; 5(1): 30-33

A comparative analysis of body fat percentage and incidence of essential hypertension and type-2 diabetes mellitus in a vegetarian and non-vegetarian population

Background: Obesity is identified as a complex multifactorial disorder and a notable growing global problem. Body fat percentage (BFP) is more reliable method as compared to BMI for assessing the risk of developing disease. Essential hypertension and Type-2 diabetes mellitus are both associated with adiposity. Aims & Objective: In this study, we planned to observe the association, if any, of raised BFP levels in strict-vegetarians and comparatively analyzed with non-vegetarians in context to the indicated diseases. Materials and Methods: After getting approval from ethical review committee of the Aga Khan University for this Random, Cross sectional and population based study, 563 subjects were selected randomly (males 295, females 268, strict-vegetarians n= 324 (58.0%), non-vegetarian n=235 (42.0%) in 2012 from Tharparker, Pakistan. We recorded demographic and anthropometric data, presence of blood pressure, type-2 diabetes mellitus and co-morbidities. Analysis of BFP was carried out by Deurenberg formula. Level of BFP >20 in males and > 25 in females was taken as raised/abnormal. Data was analyzed descriptively and categorically by using SPSS-21 for comparative analysis of prevalence of the essential hypertension (EHTN) and Type-2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM). Comparative analysis of association of raised levels of BFP was carried out in context to EHTN and T2DM in vegetarian and non-vegetarian population. A p-Value of < 0.05 was considered significant. Results: Vegetarian subjects, n= 324 (58.0%), showed minimum age as 15 years; maximum 82 (mean 39.6, Std. Deviation 16.6). Non-vegetarian subjects, n= 235 (42.0%), had minimum age 10 years; maximum 76 years (mean 33.7, Std. Deviation 15.5). More male subjects had raised BFP (270 = 94.7%) than females (129 = 49%), p-Value 0.000. Despite positive association of raised BFP levels with EHTN and T2DM, the comparative analysis of association of raised BFP levels among the vegetarian and non-vegetarian cohort in relation to both EHTN and T2DM showed non-significant p-Values (0.105 and 0.347 respectively). Conclusion: Raised body fat percentage in the strict-vegetarian and non-vegetarian cohorts showed a non-significant association to produce essential hypertension and type-2 diabetes mellitus. Findings point to some other risk factors which could be responsible to produce the disease in the studied cohorts. Doing exercise and reducing caloric intake is strongly advised as the best measure to maintain a normal phenotype.

Salivary defense system alters in vegetarian

PurposeThe aim of this research was investigating antimicrobial and enzymatic antioxidant activities in salivary fluids of vegetarians as compared to normal subjects. Material & MethodsAntimicrobial activity of the saliva samples was evaluated against four clinically important bacteria. The biological activities of three of the main antioxidant enzymes of saliva were measured using appropriate methods of enzyme assay in both groups. ResultsAccording to the results, saliva obtained from vegetarians showed a reduced inhibitory effect on growth of Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella oxytoca, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichia coli as compared to those obtained from the non-vegetarian subjects. The activity of salivary peroxidase, catalase and superoxide dismutase showed a statistically marked decrease in vegetarian group. ConclusionsAccording to our literature survey, this is the first report on the antibacterial and antioxidant capacity in saliva of vegetarians. Results obtained from the present study have opened a new line of research with the basis of saliva as a research tool.

초등학생의 Vegetarian(lacto-ovo vegetarian)과 Non-Vegetarian의 식습관, 영양소 섭취 및 건강습관 차이에 관한 연구

본 연구는 초등학교 12∼13세(5∼6학년) 어린이를 대상으로 채식주의군(lacto-ovo vegetarian 포함)과 비채식주의군으로 나누어 식습관, 영양소 섭취 상태 및 건강상태에 미치는 영향과 그 차이를 알아보기 위해 실시하였다. 본 연구에서 채식주의군과 비채식주의군의 식습관은 통계적으로 유의한 차이는 보이지 않았다. 전체 아동들의 간식 횟수로는 하루에 한번이 가장 높은 비율(66.5%)을 차지하였으나, 하루에 간식을 두 번 섭취하는 비율은 비채식주의군이 34.0%로 채식주의군에 비해 횟수가 높은 것으로 조사되었다. 채식주의군이 섭취하는 간식으로는 과일류가 55.9%로 가장 높았으며, 비채식주의군은 탄산음료와 아이스크림의 섭취비율이 채식주의군에 비해 매우 높게 조사되었다(p＜0.05). 식생활 평가에서 보면, 채식주의군은 과일(1개)이나 과일주스(1잔)를 매일 먹는 비율이 55.9%로 비채식주의군에 비해 높게 조사(p＜0.05)된 반면에, 비채식주의군은 우유나 유제품(요구르트, 요플레 등)의 섭취, 육류?생선?달걀?콩?두부 등으로 된 단백질 음식을 끼니마다 섭취, 튀김이나 기름에 볶는 요리를 주 2회 이상 섭취 및 아이스크림?과자?케이크, 탄산음료 등을 섭취하는 비율이 높게 조사되었다. 완전 채식주의 아동도 외식이나 학교 근처에서 간식을 통해 우유 및 유제품, 튀김식품 등을 섭취하는 것으로 조사되어 실제로 초등학교 아동이 완전 채식을 하는 것은 현실적으로 어려움이 있다고 사료된다. 영양소 섭취상태에서는 전체 조사 아동의 열량(채식주의군 남아 73.6%/여아 88.6%, 비채식주의군 남아 81.4%/여아 94.4%)은 기준치(20)에 비해 절대적으로 부족하게 조사되었다. 채식주의군 중 남아의 경우 열량, 비타민 B2, 비타민 E, 엽산, 칼슘 및 식이섬유가 기준치(20)에 비해 낮았으며, 여아는 열량, 엽산, 칼슘 및 식이섬유가 기준치(20)에 비해 낮았다. 비채식주의군에서는 남아와 여아 모두 열량, 엽산, 식이섬유의 섭취가 부족한 반면에 지방, 비타민 B2, 칼슘 및 콜레스테롤의 섭취를 과잉으로 하는 것으로 조사되었다(p＜0.05). 식이섬유의 경우 두 군 모두 기준치(20)보다 낮게 조사되었지만, 채식주의군(22.5±11.0 g)은 비채식주의군(19.5±10.2 g)에 비해 식이섬유소의 섭취가 유의하게 높게 조사되었다(p＜0.05). 식사평가의 만족도는 두 그룹(채식주의군 79.4%, 비채식주의군 84.0%) 모두 세끼 식사 중 저녁식사에서 식사의 질과 양에 만족하는 비율이 높았다. 영양제 복용율은 비채식주의군(45.7%)에서 높았고, 복용하는 영양 보충제의 종류로는 채식주의군은 한약(34.5%), 비채식주의군은 종합영양제(53.5%)를 가장 많이 섭취하고 있는 것으로 조사되었다. 아동의 건강상태가 양호하다고 답한 응답자는 비채식주의군이 높았으며, 아토피피부염 발생 아동은 채식주의군이 18.6%로 조사되어 아토피피부염으로 인해 채식을 하고 있다고 답하였다(p＜0.05). 본 연구 결과에 의하면, 조사대상 아동은 종교적인 이유와 아토피성 피부염 등의 질병완화를 위해 채식을 선택한 경우가 많았으며, 그로 인해 열량, 엽산, 칼슘 및 식이섬유 등의 부족으로 영양의 불균형을 초래할 수 있는 것으로 사료됨에 따라 아동의 균형적인 신체발달과 성장을 위해서는 여러 종류의 식품을 골고루 섭취하고 부족한 영양소를 보충할 수 있도록 올바른 식품선택이 필요하다. 또한 지루하기 쉬운 식단을 먹고 싶은 식단으로 만들기 위해 식품에 대한 다양한 조리법이 개발되어야 하며, 올바른 식품선택을 위한 영양교육의 필요성이 요구된다. 비채식주의 아동들의 경우 영양과잉이 되지 않고, 섬유소 섭취를 증가시키는 식사관리를 해야 할 것으로 사료된다.

Nutritional Status of Flemish Vegetarians Compared with Non-Vegetarians: A Matched Samples Study

The present study compares the nutritional status of vegetarian (V) with non-vegetarian (NV) subjects. A three-day food record and a health questionnaire were completed by 106 V and 106 NV matched for following characteristics: sex, age, BMI, physical activity, tobacco use and alcohol consumption. Total energy intake was not significantly different (men: V: 2,346 ± 685 kcal/d; NV: 2,628 ± 632 kcal/d; p = 0.078; women: V: 1,991 ± 539 kcal/d; NV: 1,973 ± 592 kcal/d; p = 0.849). Macronutrients intake differed significantly between the V and NV subjects for protein (men: V:12.7 ± 2.3 E%; NV:15.3 ± 4.5 E%; p = 0.003; women: V: 13.2 ± 2.3 E%; NV:16.0 ± 4.0 E%; p < 0.001), fat (men: V: 29.3 ± 8.4 E%; NV: 33.8 ± 5.3 E%; p = 0.010; women: V: 29.7 ± 6.9 E%; NV: 34.7 ± 9.0 E%; p < 0.001), and carbohydrate (men: V: 55.3 ± 10.1 E%; NV: 47.4 ± 6.9 E%; p < 0.001; women: V: 55.1 ± 7.6 E%; NV: 47.2 ± 8.2 E%; p < 0.001). The intake of most minerals was significantly different between the V and the NV subjects. V had a lower sodium intake, higher calcium, zinc, and iron intake compared to the NV subjects. Our results clearly indicate that a vegetarian diet can be adequate to sustain the nutritional demands to at least the same degree as that of omnivores. The intakes of the V subjects were closer to the recommendations for a healthy diet when compared to a group of well matched NV subjects.

Nutrition, Physique, Muscular Strength And Health Aspects In Vegetarian And Non-vegetarian Seniors (&gt;65yrs)

Epidemiological studies on vegetarians indicate that a well balanced vegetarian diet offers several health benefits. The prevalence of prosperity diseases is significantly lower in vegetarians compared to omnivores. PURPOSE: It was the purpose of the present study to compare the health and physical fitness status in a group of vegetarian (V) and non-vegetarian (NV) seniors. METHODS: Twenty three female and 7 male NV aged >65 years (female: 84.3±5.0yrs, male: 80.6±7.3yrs) and 22 female and 7 male V aged >65 years (female: 84.1±5.1yrs, male: 80.5±7.5yrs) participated. All subjects were free of major disease or physical handicap. Medical history, dietary analysis (FFQ), blood profile, anthropometrics, and muscular strength were registered. RESULTS: Mean BMI was 26.8±3.7 kg/m2 in the female NV subjects, 26.1±4.7 kg/m2 in the female V subjects, 25.2±4.2 kg/m2 in the male NV subjects and 23.5±3.7 kg/m2 in the male V subjects (p>0.05). The general questionnaire revealed a lower morbidity in the V subjects compared to the NV subjects, with lower use of medication (52%) in the V subjects compared to the NV (77%) (p<0.05). Mean daily energy intake was 8.0±1.4 MJ in the NV females, whereas the 6.8±2.0 MJ in V females did not reach the recommended value of 7.8 MJ (p<0.05). Male V and NV groups had a mean daily energy intake of 8.7±1.6 MJ and 8.7±1.2 MJ respectively (ref: 8.8 MJ). Mean carbohydrate intake was too low (V: 47.9±7.0E%, NV: 42.8±4.1E%), while protein (V: 17.5±3.4E%, NV: 20.3±2.7E%), and fat intake (V: 33.7±7.5E%, NV: 33.9±3.7E%) were too high (p<0.05). Mean vitamin and mineral intakes met the RDA's in both groups. Blood concentrations for vitamin B12, Folic acid, Fe, and Ca were normal in both groups. Zn blood serum was below the reference value in both groups, while estimated Zn intake was sufficient. The mean blood cholesterol concentration was below the 200 mg/dl upper limit in the NV (182±45mg/dl) group and above that limit in the V group (213±40mg/dl). Both groups scored under the reference values for the strength tests. CONCLUSIONS: Comparing V and NV seniors our results show a similar profile for both groups concerning nutritional intake (except for energy intake between the female groups), blood values (except for cholesterol), physical performance capacity and body composition. V had a lower morbidity and use of medication.

Dietetic habits and quality of semen in Indian subjects.

Dietetic habits revealed significant effect on seminal plasma vitamin B12 levels. The mean values for seminal plasma vitamin B12 activity in lactovegetarians from normozoospermic, oligozoospermic and azoospermic groups are significantly lower than the corresponding mean values observed in the nonvegetarian subjects. The mean vitamin B12 content of seminal plasma in azoospermic group was distinctly lower than the mean values in normozoospermic and oligozoospermic groups. However, seminal plasma vitamin B12 values showed no correlation with the sperm content of the corresponding semen in both normozoospermic and oligozoospermic subjects. Studies on sperm morphology and on biochemical parameters revealed no significant effect of the type of diet on sperm count, sperm motility, percentage abnormal sperms, seminal plasma total proteins, albumin, fructose, citric acid, acid and alkaline phosphatase activity in normozoospermic group.

Iron status of regular voluntary blood donors

Background:Our blood bank is a regional blood transfusion centre, which accepts blood only from voluntary donors.Aim:The aim is to study iron status of regular voluntary donors who donated their blood at least twice in a year.Materials and Methods:Prior to blood donation, blood samples of 220 male and 30 female voluntary donors were collected. Control included 100 each male and female healthy individuals in the 18- to 60-year age group, who never donated blood and did not have any chronic infection. In the study and control groups, about 10% subjects consumed non-vegetarian diet. After investigation, 85 males and 56 females having haemoglobin (Hb) levels above 12.5 g/dl were selected as controls. Donors were divided into ≤10, 11-20, 21-50 and >50 blood donation categories. Majority of the donors in >50 donation category donated blood four times in a year, whereas the remaining donors donated two to three times per year. Haematological parameters were measured on fully automatic haematology analyzer, serum iron and total iron-binding capacity (TIBC) by biochemical methods, ferritin using ELISA kits and transferrin using immunoturbidometry kits. Iron/TIBC ratio × 100 gave percentage of transferrin saturation value.Statistical Analysis:Statistical evaluation was done by mean, standard deviation, pair t-test, χ2 and anova (F-test).Results:Preliminary analysis revealed that there was no significant difference in the iron profile of vegetarian and non-vegetarian subjects or controls and the donors donating <20 times. Significant increase or decrease was observed in mean values of various haematological and iron parameters in donors who donated blood for >20 times (P < 0.001), compared to controls. Anaemia, iron deficiency and depletion of iron stores were more prevalent in female donors (P < 0.05) compared to males and especially in those male donors who donated their blood for more than 20 times.Conclusion:Regular voluntary blood donors should receive iron supplementation to prevent iron deficiency and depletion in iron stores.

Comparative study of the hemoglobin concentration of vegetarian and non-vegetarian subjects in Ogun state, Nigeria

The hemoglobin (Hb) levels of blood samples from vegetarians and non-vegetarians were determined for the purpose of assessing their nutritional status and making recommendation. A total of forty subjects aged between 18 and 40 years from Ilisan and Sagamu in Ogun State, Nigeria voluntarily participated in the study. Results of the preliminary study showed that there was no significant difference between the male vegetarians and their non-vegetarian counterparts (p>0.01). On the other hand significant difference was determined between the female groups (p

Creatine supplementation does not enhance submaximal aerobic training adaptations in healthy young men and women

The benefits of dietary creatine supplementation on muscle performance are generally related to an increase in muscle phosphocreatine content. However, creatine supplementation may benefit endurance sports through increased glycogen re-synthesis following exercise. This study investigated the effect of creatine supplementation on muscle glycogen content, submaximal exercise fuel utilisation and endurance performance following 4 weeks of endurance training. Thirteen healthy, physically active, non-vegetarian subjects volunteered to take part and completed the study. Subjects were supplemented with either creatine monohydrate (CREAT, n = 7) or placebo-maltodextrin (CON, n = 6). Submaximal fuel utilisation and endurance performance were assessed before and after a 4 week endurance training program. Muscle biopsies were also collected before and following training for assessment of muscle creatine and glycogen content. Training increased quadriceps glycogen content to the same degree (approximately 20%) in both groups (P = 0.04). There was a significant training effect on submaximal fuel utilisation and improved endurance performance. However, there was no significant treatment effect of creatine supplementation. Creatine supplementation does not effect metabolic adaptations to endurance training.

The status of plasma homocysteine and related B-vitamins in healthy young vegetarians and nonvegetarians.

Exclusion of animal products and having only plant protein in vegetarian diets may affect the status of certain B-vitamins, and further cause the elevation of plasma homocysteine concentration. The purpose of this study was to assess the status of homocysteine and related B-vitamins in vegetarians and nonvegetarians. The effects of biochemical parameters of B-vitamins and dietary protein on plasma homocysteine were also examined. The study was performed at the Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, in the central part of Taiwan. Thirty-seven vegetarians (28.9 +/- 5.5 y) and 32 nonvegetarians (22.9 +/- 1.6 y) were recruited. Nutrient intake was recorded using 3-day dietary records. Fasting venous blood samples were obtained. Plasma homocysteine, folate and vitamin B-12 were measured. Vitamin B-6 status was assessed by direct measures [plasma pyridoxal 5'-phosphate (PLP) and urinary 4-pyridoxic acid (4-PA)] and indirect measures [erythrocyte alanine (EALT-AC) and aspartate (EAST-AC) aminotransaminase activity coefficient]. There was no significant difference in vitamin B-6 intake between the two groups, although the vegetarian group had a significantly lower vitamin B-12 intake than the nonvegetarian group. Vegetarian subjects had significantly lower mean plasma PLP and vitamin B-12 concentrations than did nonvegetarian subjects (p < 0.05); however, a significantly higher mean plasma folate concentration was found in the vegetarian group. Vegetarian subjects had a significantly higher mean plasma homocysteine concentration than nonvegetarian subjects (13.2 +/- 7.9 vs. 9.8 +/- 2.2 micromol/L). Negative correlations were seen between plasma homocysteine and vitamin B-12 concentrations in the vegetarian (p = 0.004), nonvegetarian (p = 0.026), and pooled (p < 0.001) groups. From best subsets regression analyses, the plasma homocysteine concentration could be significantly predicted by total protein intake (p = 0.027) and plasma vitamin B-12 concentration (p = 0.005) in the pooled group. When the intake of protein is not considered, vitamin B-12 concentration is still a strong predictor of plasma homocysteine concentration (p = 0.012). Vitamin B-12 intake and mean plasma vitamin B-12 concentration were lower for vegetarian subjects than for nonvegetarian subjects, leading to an increase in plasma homocysteine concentration. Vitamin B-6 and folate had little effect on plasma homocysteine concentration when individuals had adequate vitamin B-6 and folate status.

Physical exercise reverses diet-induced increases in LDL-cholesterol and apo B levels in healthy ovo-lactovegetarian subjects

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of supplementing the daily intake of whole-fat dairy products with 750ml of milk and 250ml of yoghurt, and the influence of a concomitant program of physical exercise (30–45 min of running/cycling at 60% VO 2 max every two-days) in young healthy ovo-lactovegetarian (n=14) and non-vegetarian control (n=10) athletes. Diet manipulation for a two-month period increased LDL-cholesterol (2.31±0.44 vs 2.51±0.42 mmol/l) and apo B (68±16 vs 75±15 mg/dl) levels as well as LDL-/HDL-cholesterol (1.65±0.47 vs 1.94±0.68) and apo B/apo A 1 (0.46±0.15 vs 0.66±0.30) ratios (all p<0.05), in vegetarian but not in nonvegetarian subjects. After two additional months of enhanced physical activity, in vegetarians, apo B levels and LDL-/HDL-cholesterol ratio returned to baseline values, and HDL-cholesterol (1.42±0.36 vs 1.76±0.31 mmol/l) significantly increased. The results show that increasing the intake of whole-fat dairy products impairs the plasma lipid profile in ovo-lactovegetarian subjects. This effect can be reversed by increased regular physical activity.

Chromosomal damage rate, aging, and diet.

Chromosomal damage as measured by frequency of translocations, acentric fragments, telomere shortening, nondisjunction, chromosome loss, aneuploidy, and micronucleus formation has been shown to increase progressively with age. Using the cytokinesis-block micronucleus technique, which provides an efficient measure of chromosomal breakage and loss, we have been able to show that aging can explain at least 25% of the variation in chromosomal damage rate in lymphocytes from both males and females. We have also performed cross-sectional and placebo-controlled intervention studies to determine the relationship between the micronucleus (MN) frequency in lymphocytes and diet, and blood status for vitamins C, E, B12, and folic acid. Our studies have shown that MN frequency in the 41- to 60-year age group is significantly lower in vegetarians when compared to nonvegetarians, but the reverse was true in males aged between 20 and 40 years. This was accounted for by a deficient/low B12 status in vegetarian males; there was no difference in the MN frequency of vegetarian and nonvegetarian subjects aged between 61 and 90 years. Results from this study also showed significant negative correlations of MN frequency with folic acid and vitamin B12 but not with vitamin C or vitamin E. In separate studies on healthy men aged 50-70, we have verified the significant negative correlation between vitamin B12 status in plasma and MN frequency (r = -0.315, p = 0.013) in subjects who were not vitamin B12 deficient and observed a significant positive correlation between MN frequency and homocysteine status (r = 0.414, p = 0.0086) in those men who were not vitamin B12 and/or folate deficient. These data suggest that MN frequency is minimized when plasma B12 is above 300 pmol/L and plasma homocysteine is below 7.5 mumol/L. Double-blind placebo-controlled intervention studies conducted over four months have shown that above RDI intake of vitamin E (30 x RDI) or folic acid (10 x RDI) did not produce a significant reduction in MN frequency in men aged 50-70 years. In the latter case plasma homocysteine was reduced from a mean value of 9.33 mumol/L to 8.51 mumol/L, a level that does not correspond with minimization of MN frequency. We have also tested the hypothesis that moderate wine drinking can protect against the DNA-damaging effect of hydrogen peroxide and found that there was a strong ex vivo inhibition (> 70%) of hydrogen peroxide-induced MN frequency by plasma samples from blood collected one hour after consumption of red or white wine, as compared to plasma samples collected immediately before wine consumption (p = 0.0008). However, only samples following red wine consumption produced a significant reduction in baseline MN frequency. The above results suggest that chromosome damage can be modulated, under selected circumstances, by diverse dietary factors.

HAIR SELENIUM AS A MONITORING TOOL FOR OCCUPATIONAL EXPOSURES IN RELATION TO CLINICAL PROFILE

Nineteen workers exposed to low levels of selenium (0.047-0.202 mg/m3 air) along with 15 control subjects were studied for clinical, hematological, radiological, and neurobehav-ioral variables in relation to selenium concentration in hair. The levels of selenium in the hair of exposed subjects (1.44±0.37 µg/g) were significantly higher than those of control subjects (0.78±0.18 µg/g). The levels of selenium in the hair of 22 nonvegetarian subjects were found to be significantly higher as compared to 12 vegetarian subjects. Complaints of weakness and/or fatigue were found to be more prevalent in the exposed subjects. The study holds promise that hair selenium may be used as a monitoring tool for low-level occupational exposure to selenium.