scholarly journals The Safety of a Vegan Diet During Pregnancy

2021 ◽  
Vol 75 ◽  
pp. 417-425
Author(s):  
Miłosz Miedziaszczyk ◽  
Patrycja Ciabach ◽  
Edmund Grześkowiak ◽  
Edyta Szałek
Keyword(s):  
Vitamin D ◽  
Preterm Birth ◽  
Gestational Diabetes ◽  
Vitamin B12 ◽  
Normal Function ◽  
Vegan Diet ◽  
Omega 3 ◽  
Animal Food ◽  
Clinical Consequences ◽  
Vegetarian Diets

There is an increasing number of people who go vegetarian. Some young parents also switch to this diet. The safety of vegetarian diets, especially vegan diets, is very important, especially during pregnancy. Unfortunately, reference publications do not provide coherent data on the safety of vegetarian diets during pregnancy. On the one hand, the vegan diet has advantages because it reduces the risk of heart disease and gestational diabetes. On the other hand, vegetarians/vegans should be aware of potential deficiencies of some nutrients (iron, zinc, vitamin B12, vitamin D, omega-3 fatty acids, calcium, iodine) and the clinical consequences for the fetus. For example, iron deficiency may affect cognitive abilities, behavior, intelligence and increase the risk of preterm birth and low birth weight of infants. Plant food contains non-haem iron with variable absorption. Therefore, the vegan diet should include nutrients increasing the bioavailability of iron, e.g. ascorbic acid, carotene and retinol. Due to the fact that animal food is the main source of vitamin B12, vegans are at a very high risk of vitamin B12 deficiency, which will affect the infant’s weight at birth. Low level of vitamin D, which is prevalent in animal food, is the most common deficiency among vegans and lacto-ovo vegetarians. This vitamin prevents gestational diabetes, reduces insulin resistance and guarantees normal function of the musculoskeletal system. Zinc deficiency during pregnancy may lead to preterm birth, neural tube defects or even miscarriage. In view of the clinical consequences of potential deficiencies of nutrients, the vegetarian/vegan diet should be well balanced.

The Safety of TheVegan Diet During Pregnancy

2021 ◽  
Vol 75 ◽  
pp. 1-20
Author(s):  
Miłosz Miedziaszczyk ◽  
Patrycja Ciabach ◽  
Edmund Grześkowiak ◽  
Edyta Szałek
Keyword(s):  
Vitamin D ◽  
Preterm Birth ◽  
Gestational Diabetes ◽  
Vitamin B12 ◽  
Vitamin B12 Deficiency ◽  
Normal Function ◽  
Vegan Diet ◽  
Omega 3 ◽  
Animal Food ◽  
Clinical Consequences

There is an increasing number of people who go vegetarian. Some young parents also switch to this diet. The safety of vegetarian diets, especially ve-gan diets, is very important, especially during pregnancy. Unfortunately, reference publications do not provide coherent data on the safety of vegetar-ian diets during pregnancy. On the one hand, the vegan diet has advantages because it reduces the risk of heart disease and gestational diabetes. On the other hand, vegetarians/vegans should be aware of potential deficiencies of some nutrients (iron, zinc, vitamin B12, vitamin D, omega-3 fatty acids, cal-cium, iodine) and the clinical consequences for the foetus. For example, iron deficiency may affect cognitive abilities, behaviour, intelligence and increase the risk of preterm birth and low birth weight of infants. Plant food contains non-haem iron with variable absorption. Therefore, the vegan diet should include nutrients increasing the bioavailability of iron, e.g. ascorbic acid, carotene and retinol. Due to the fact that animal food is the main source of vitamin B12, vegans are at very high risk of vitamin B12 deficiency, which will affect the infant’s weight at birth. Low level of vitamin D, which is prevalent in animal food, is the most common deficiency among vegans and lacto-ovo vegetarians. This vitamin prevents gestational diabetes, reduces insulin resistance and guarantees normal function of the musculoskeletal system. Zinc deficiency during pregnancy may lead to preterm birth, neural tube defects or even miscarriage. In view of the clinical consequences of po-tential deficiencies of nutrients, the vegetarian/vegan diet should be well balanced.

scholarly journals Placing a Well-Designed Vegan Diet for Slovenes

Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (12) ◽  
pp. 4545
Author(s):  
Boštjan Jakše
Keyword(s):  
Vitamin D ◽  
Vitamin B12 ◽  
Healthy Lifestyle ◽  
Scientific Evidence ◽  
Adult Population ◽  
Scientific Data ◽  
Vegan Diet ◽  
Omega 3 ◽  
New Findings ◽  
Calcium Iron

Interest in vegan diets has increased globally as well as in Slovenia. The quantity of new scientific data requires a thorough synthesis of new findings and considerations about the current reserved position of the vegan diet in Slovenia. There is frequently confusion about the benefits of vegetarian diets that are often uncritically passed on to vegan diets and vice versa. This narrative review aims to serve as a framework for a well-designed vegan diet. We present advice on how to maximize the benefits and minimize the risks associated with the vegan diet and lifestyle. We highlight the proper terminology, present the health effects of a vegan diet and emphasize the nutrients of concern. In addition, we provide guidance for implementing a well-designed vegan diet in daily life. We conducted a PubMed search, up to November 2021, for studies on key nutrients (proteins, vitamin B12, vitamin D, omega-3 long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)), calcium, iron, zinc, iodine and selenium) in vegan diets. Given the limited amount of scientific evidence, we focus primarily on the general adult population. A well-designed vegan diet that includes a wide variety of plant foods and supplementation of vitamin B12, vitamin D in the winter months and potentially EPA/DHA is safe and nutritionally adequate. It has the potential to maintain and/or to improve health. For physically active adult populations, athletes or individuals with fast-paced lifestyles, there is room for further appropriate supplementation of a conventional vegan diet according to individuals’ health status, needs and goals without compromising their health. A healthy vegan lifestyle, as included in government guidelines for a healthy lifestyle, includes regular physical activity, avoidance of smoking, restriction of alcohol and appropriate sleep hygiene.

scholarly journals Vegetarian diets in childhood and adolescence

2019 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Silvia Rudloff ◽  
Christoph Bührer ◽  
Frank Jochum ◽  
Thomas Kauth ◽  
Mathilde Kersting ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Vitamin B12 ◽  
Saturated Fatty Acids ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Vegetarian Diet ◽  
Vegan Diet ◽  
Childhood And Adolescence ◽  
Nutrient Deficiencies ◽  
Omega 3 ◽  
Animal Products ◽  
Vegetarian Diets

Abstract In Western countries, vegetarian diets are associated with lower intakes of energy, saturated fatty acids and animal protein and higher intakes of fibre and phytochemicals, compared to omnivorous diets. Whether the corresponding health benefits in vegetarians outweigh the risks of nutrient deficiencies has not been fully clarified. It should be noted that vegetarians often have a higher socioeconomic status, follow a more health-conscious lifestyle with higher physical activity, and refrain from smoking more often than non-vegetarians. The nutritional needs of growing children and adolescents can generally be met through a balanced, vegetable-based diet; however, due to their higher nutrient requirements per kilogramme of body weight, vegetarian children have a higher risk for developing nutrient deficiencies than adults. With a vegetarian diet, the mean intakes of some nutrients, such as the omega-3 fatty acid docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), are lower than in omnivores or those eating fish. For other nutrients, such as iron and zinc, the bioavailability from vegetable foodstuffs is reduced when the intake of phytates and fibre is high; thus, the prevalence of iron deficiency can be increased despite high vitamin C intake. In addition, vitamin B12 is only found in animal-source foods. Vitamin B12 should be supplemented in people of all age groups who follow a strict vegan diet without consuming animal products. A vegetarian diet in childhood and adolescence requires good information and supervision by a paediatrician, if necessary, in cooperation with an appropriately trained dietary specialist.

Ăn chay và rối loạn Nội tiết- Chuyển hóa

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bá Thoại Trần
Keyword(s):  
Amino Acids ◽  
Vitamin D ◽  
Vitamin B12 ◽  
Key Words ◽  
Human Body ◽  
Essential Amino Acids ◽  
Vegetarian Diet ◽  
Vegetarian Diets ◽  
Harmful Effects

Classic vegetarian diet focuses on plants for food, including: fruits, vegetables, dried beans and peas, grains, seeds and nuts… In general, these vegetarian diets can supply enough energy and nutrient for human body. Nevertheless, plant-borne foods lack some essential amino acids, contains a great amount of sugary carbohydrate and a small amount of vitamin B12, vitamin D...may causing the harmful effects. Key words: vegetarian diet, endocrinology, metabolism

scholarly journals Maternal and Pediatric Health Outcomes in relation to Gestational Vitamin D Sufficiency

2015 ◽  
Vol 2015 ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephen J. Genuis
Keyword(s):  
Vitamin D ◽  
Preterm Birth ◽  
Gestational Diabetes ◽  
Health Outcomes ◽  
Vitamin D Deficiency ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Fetal Origins ◽  
Potential Health ◽  
Effective Measure ◽  
Recent Emergence

Juxtaposed with monumental improvement in maternal-fetal outcomes over the last century, there has been the recent emergence of rising rates of gestational complications including preterm birth, operative delivery, and gestational diabetes. At the same time, there has been a burgeoning problem with widespread vitamin D deficiency among populations of many developed nations. This paper provides a brief review of potential health outcomes recently linked to gestational vitamin D deficiency, including preterm birth, cesarean delivery, and gestational diabetes. Although immediate costs for obstetric complications related to gestational vitamin D insufficiency may be modest, the short- and long-term costs for pediatric healthcare resulting from such gestational complications may be enormous and present an enduring burden on healthcare systems. With increasing evidence pointing to fetal origins of some later life disease, securing vitamin D sufficiency in pregnancy appears to be a simple, safe, and cost-effective measure that can be incorporated into routine preconception and prenatal care in the offices of primary care clinicians. Education on gestational nutritional requirements should be a fundamental part of medical education and residency training, instruction that has been sorely lacking to date.

The effects of vitamin D and omega-3 fatty acid co-supplementation on glycemic control and lipid concentrations in patients with gestational diabetes

2017 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 459-468 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mehri Jamilian ◽  
Mansooreh Samimi ◽  
Faraneh Afshar Ebrahimi ◽  
Teibeh Hashemi ◽  
Mohsen Taghizadeh ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Vitamin D ◽  
Fatty Acid ◽  
Glycemic Control ◽  
Gestational Diabetes ◽  
Omega 3 ◽  
Omega 3 Fatty Acid

scholarly journals The impact of vitamin D deficiency on maternal outcomes in pregnancy

2021 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. 63-69
Author(s):  
A. Konwisser ◽  
O. Korytko
Keyword(s):  
Vitamin D ◽  
Preterm Birth ◽  
Gestational Diabetes ◽  
Vitamin D Deficiency ◽  
Vitamin D Supplementation ◽  
Maternal Outcomes ◽  
Level Of Evidence ◽  
The Impact ◽  
In Pregnancy ◽  
Risk Of Preeclampsia

Results show vitamin D supplementation during pregnancy improves maternal and infant 25(OH)D concentrations and may play a role in maternal insulin resistance and fetal growth. Literature search was performed using PubMed Database of the National Library of Medicine, with date limits from January 2015 to November 2020. We used the keywords: Vitamin D, pregnancy, vitamin D supplementation, hypovitaminosis D, preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, preterm birth, and other related terms. The studies of interest included original papers and review articles on the influence of vitamin D deficiency in pregnancy and the impact of vitamin D supplementation on the maternal outcomes. The published Cochrane review on vitamin D supplementation studies reported that women who receive vitamin D supplementation had lower risk of preeclampsia but with only borderline significance (RR 0.52, CI 0.25–1.05), whereas combined vitamin D and calcium supplementation significantly reduces the risk of preeclampsia. The overall level of evidence is high for vitamin D supplementation playing no role in the prevention of gestational diabetes. Although analysis of the recent observational studies suggests that vitamin D deficiency can increase the risk of C section, there is a need for investigators to conduct RCT to study the impact of vitamin D supplementation on C-section rates. Maternal vitamin D status closest to the delivery was most significantly associated with preterm birth, thereby proposing that later intervention could be used as a rescue treatment to decrease the risk of preterm deliveries. Though the level of evidence is moderate, our analysis shows no significant association between vitamin D and preterm deliveries. Many studies have been designed to investigate an association between postpartum depression and vitamin D. To determine the benefits of vitamin D supplementation in pregnancy would require further evaluation through large, multicenter double-blind randomized controlled clinical trials, with a focus on specific adverse pregnancy outcomes.

Vor- und Nachteile vegetarischer Ernährungsformen – aktueller wissenschaftlicher Kenntnisstand

2016 ◽  
Vol 73 (11) ◽  
pp. 659-672
Author(s):  
Alexander Ströhle ◽  
Andreas Hahn
Keyword(s):  
Vitamin D ◽  
Vitamin B12 ◽  
Omega 3 ◽  
Typ 2 Diabetes ◽  
Vegetarische Ernährung

Zusammenfassung. Der Vegetarismus ist keine einheitliche Ernährungsform, sondern wird in unterschiedlichen Ausprägungen praktiziert. Am bekanntesten sind lakto-ovo-vegetarische und vegane Kostformen. Die in westlichen Industrieländern lebenden Vegetarier unterscheiden sich nicht nur in ihrer Ernährungsweise von der Durchschnittsbevölkerung. Auch ihr sonstiger Lebensstil differiert. Eine vegetarische Lebensweise geht mit einem um 40 – 50 % reduzierten Risiko für Typ-2-Diabetes und einem um 20 – 30 % verminderten Risiko für ischämische Ereignisse einher. Krebserkrankungen treten bei Vegetariern 8 – 15 % seltener auf, während bei der Krebsmortalität kein Unterscheid zu Nicht-Vegetariern besteht. Keine Vorteile übt die vegetarische Ernährung auf die Knochengesundheit aus. Auch bei der Gesamtsterblichkeit lässt sich kein eindeutig vorteilhafter Effekt nachweisen. Eine auf einer breiten Lebensmittelauswahl beruhende lakto-ovo-vegetarische Kost mit reichlich Gemüse, Obst, Hülsenfrüchten, Vollkornprodukte, Samen und Nüssen, ergänzt um mäßige Anteile an Milchprodukten und Eiern, stellt bei Erwachsenen im Allgemeinen die Versorgung mit allen Nährstoffen sicher (Ausnahmen: Vitamin D und Iod sowie potenzielle Defizite bei Eisen, ggf. Zink und langkettigen Omega-3-Fettsäuren). Vegane Kostformen bergen mehr Risiken hinsichtlich einer defizitären Nährstoffversorgung als eine lakto-ovo-vegetarische Kost. Bei entsprechenden Ernährungskenntnissen, breiter Lebensmittelauswahl sowie gezielter Supplementierung bzw. dem Konsum von angereicherten Lebensmitteln mit Vitamin B12 und D, Iod und ggf. an Docosahexaensäure (DHA) und Eicosapentaensäure (EPA) reichen Mikroalgenzubereitungen ist eine adäquate Nährstoffversorgung auch bei einer vielseitigen veganen Ernährung für Erwachsene möglich.

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