Ambroszkiewicz J, Klemarczyk W, Chełchowska M, Gajewska J, Laskowska-Klita T
Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Mother and Child, ul. Kasprzaka 17A, 01-211 Warsaw, Poland.
Adv Med Sci. 2006;51:265-8.
The results of several studies point to the positive role of vegetarian diets in reducing the risk of diabetes, some cancers and cardiovascular diseases. However, exclusion of animal products in vegetarian diets may affect the cobalamin status and cause an elevation of the plasma homocysteine level. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of vegetarian diets on serum concentrations of homocysteine, folate, vitamin B12 and total antioxidant status (TAS) in children.
The study included 32 vegetarians (including 5 vegans), age 2-10 years. Dietary constituents were analyzed using a local nutritional programme. Serum homocysteine, folate and vitamin B12 were determined with fluorescence and chemiluminescence immunoassays. The concentration of TAS was measured by a colorimetric method.
Average daily energy intake and the percentage of energy from protein, fat and carbohydrates in the diets of the studied children were just above or similar to the recommended amounts. It could be shown that vegetarian diets contain high concentrations of folate. In vegan diets it even exceeds the recommended dietary allowance. Mean daily intake of vitamin B12 in the studied diets was adequate but in vegans was below the recommended range. The serum concentrations of homocysteine, folate, vitamin B12 and TAS in vegetarian children remained within the physiological range.
The presented data indicate that vegetarian children, contrary to adults, have enough vitamin B12 in their diet (excluding vegans) and normal serum concentrations of homocysteine, folate and vitamin B12. Therefore, in order to prevent deficiencies in the future, close monitoring of vegetarian children (especially on a vegan diet) is important to make sure that they receive adequate quantities of nutrients needed for healthy growth.
多项研究结果表明素食饮食在降低糖尿病、某些癌症和心血管疾病风险方面具有积极作用。然而，素食饮食中排除动物产品可能会影响钴胺素状态并导致血浆同型半胱氨酸水平升高。本研究的目的是评估素食饮食对儿童血清同型半胱氨酸、叶酸、维生素B12和总抗氧化状态（TAS）的影响。
该研究纳入了32名2至10岁的素食儿童（包括5名纯素食儿童）。使用当地的营养计划分析饮食成分。采用荧光和化学发光免疫分析法测定血清同型半胱氨酸、叶酸和维生素B12。通过比色法测量TAS的浓度。
所研究儿童饮食中的平均每日能量摄入量以及蛋白质、脂肪和碳水化合物提供的能量百分比略高于或类似于推荐量。可以看出，素食饮食含有高浓度的叶酸。在纯素食饮食中，其甚至超过了推荐膳食摄入量。所研究饮食中维生素B12的平均每日摄入量充足，但纯素食儿童的摄入量低于推荐范围。素食儿童血清中的同型半胱氨酸、叶酸、维生素B12和TAS浓度保持在生理范围内。
所呈现的数据表明，与成年人不同，素食儿童（不包括纯素食儿童）的饮食中有足够的维生素B12，且血清同型半胱氨酸、叶酸和维生素B12浓度正常。因此，为了预防未来出现营养缺乏，密切监测素食儿童（尤其是纯素食饮食的儿童）很重要，以确保他们获得健康成长所需的足够营养量。
