Hostname: page-component-cd9895bd7-gxg78 Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-12-22T20:22:32.528Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Dietary intake of vitamin B6 and concentration of vitamin B6 in blood samples of German vegans

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 January 2007

A Waldmann ,
B Dörr ,
JW Koschizke ,
C Leitzmann  and
A Hahn
A Waldmann
Affiliation:
Institute of Food Science, University of Hannover, Wunstorfer Strasse 14, D-30453 Hannover, Germany
B Dörr
Affiliation:
Institute of Nutritional Science, Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, Germany
JW Koschizke
Affiliation:
Institute of Food Science, University of Hannover, Wunstorfer Strasse 14, D-30453 Hannover, Germany
C Leitzmann
Affiliation:
Institute of Nutritional Science, Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, Germany
A Hahn*
Affiliation:
Institute of Food Science, University of Hannover, Wunstorfer Strasse 14, D-30453 Hannover, Germany
*
*Corresponding author: Email Andreas.Hahn@lw.uni-hannover.de
Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

Core share and HTML view are not available for this content. However, as you have access to this content, a full PDF is available via the ‘Save PDF’ action button.
Objective

The study aimed to evaluate the dietary vitamin B6 intake and determine the vitamin B6 concentration in blood samples of German vegans.

Design and setting

Cross-sectional study with 33 examination sites all over Germany.

Subjects

Ninety-three vegans (50 females) with a mean (±standard deviation (SD)) age of 43.7 ± 15.7 years who took no vitamin supplements.

Methods

Dietary intake was assed using a semi-quantitative food-frequency questionnaire. Erythrocyte aspartate aminotransferase activity coefficient (EAST-AC) was calculated as the ratio of stimulated (pyridoxal 5'-phosphate added) to unstimulated activity in blood samples that were provided after an overnight fast.

Results

Mean ± SD vitamin B6 intake was 2.83 ± 0.98 mg day−1 and mean ± SD protein intake was 56.6 ± 21.7 g day−1. Of the participants 4% showed vitamin B6 intakes lower than daily recommended intakes for Germany, 16% showed EAST-AC > 1.85, and a further 58% showed EAST-AC of 1.5–1-85. Moderate vegans were affected to a lesser extent than strict vegans. None of the established confounders was a significant predictor of EAST-AC. In logistic regression analyses the contribution of nutriments and cereals to pyridoxine intake was the only predictor of EAST-AC classified as < 1.85 and ≥ 1.85, respectively.

Conclusions

In spite of the high total intake of vitamin B6, an adequate concentration in blood samples could not be realised for a majority of the participants. Due to the health implications of a marginal pyridoxine status, vegans should be encouraged to include foods with a high bioavailability of pyridoxine, such as beans, lentils and bananas, in the daily diet.

Keywords

VeganismVitamin B6EAST-ACDietary intake
Type
Research Article
Information
Public Health Nutrition , Volume 9 , Issue 6 , September 2006 , pp. 779 - 784
Copyright
Copyright © The Authors 2006

References

1Hahn, A, Ströhle, A, Wolters, M. Ernährung. Physiologische Grundlagen, Prävention, Therapie. Stuttgart: Wissenschaftliche Verlagsgesellschaft, 2005; 496.Google Scholar
2Reynolds, RD. Bioavailability of vitamin B6 from plant foods. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 1988; 48: 863–7.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
3Roth-Maier, DA, Kettler, SI, Kirchgessner, M. Availability of vitamin B6 from different food sources. International Journal of Food Sciences and Nutrition 2002; 53: 171–9.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
4Hansen, CM, Leklem, JE, Miller, LT. Vitamin B-6 status indicators decrease in women consuming a diet high in pyridoxine glucoside. Journal of Nutrition 1996; 126: 2512–8.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
5Nakano, H, McMahon, LG, Gregory, JF 3rd. Pyridoxine-5′-β-glucoside exhibits incomplete bioavailability as a source of vitamin B6 and partially inhibits the utilization of co-ingested pyridoxine in humans. Journal of Nutrition 1997; 127: 1508–13.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
6Gregory, JF 3rd, Trumbo, PR, Bailey, LB, Toth, JP, Baumgartner, TG, Cerda, JJ. Bioavailability of pyridoxine-5′-β-D-glucoside determined in humans by stable-isotope methods. Journal of Nutrition 1991; 121: 177–86.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
7Shultz, TD, Leklem, JE. vitamin B6 status and bioavailability in vegetarian women. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 1987; 46: 647–51.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
8Löwik, MRH, Schrijver, J, van den Berg, H, Hulshof, KFAM, Wedel, M, Ockhuizen, T. Effect of dietary fibre on the vitamin B6 status among vegetarian and nonvegetarian elderly (Dutch Nutrition Surveillance System). Journal of the American College of Nutrition 1990; 9: 241–9.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
9Huang, YC, Chang, SJ, Chiu, YT, Chang, HH, Cheng, CH. The status of plasma homocysteine and related B-vitamins in healthy young vegetarians and nonvegetarians. European Journal of Nutrition 2003; 42: 84–90.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
10Kelly, PJ, Shih, VE, Kistler, JP, Barron, M, Lee, H, Mandell, R, Furie, KL. Low vitamin B6 but not homocyst(e)ine is associated with increased risk of stroke and transient ischemic attack in the era of folic acid grain fortification. Stroke 2003; 34: e51–4.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
11Stolzenberg-Solomon, RZ, Albanes, D, Nieto, FJ, Hartman, TJ, Tangrea, JA, Rautalahti, M, et al. Pancreatic cancer risk and nutrition-related methyl-group availability indicators in male smokers. Journal of the National Cancer Institute 1999; 91: 535–41.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
12Folkers, K, Morita, M, McRee, J Jr. The activities of coenzyme Q 10 and vitamin B6 for immune responses. Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications 1993; 193: 88–92.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
13Rall, LC, Meydani, SN. vitamin B6 and immune competence. Nutrition Reviews 1993; 51: 217–25.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
14Bell, IR, Edman, JS, Morrow, FD, Marby, DW, Perrone, G, Kayne, HL, et al. Brief communication. vitamin B1, B2 , and B6 augmentation of tricyclic antidepressant treatment in geriatric depression with cognitive dysfunction. Journal of the American College of Nutrition 1992; 11: 159–63.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
15Shiloh, R, Weizman, A, Weizer, N, Dorfman-Etrog, P, Munitz, H. [Antidepressive effect of pyridoxine (vitamin B6) in neuroleptic-treated schizophrenic patients with co-morbid minor depression – preliminary open-label trial]. Harefuah 2001; 140: 369–73, 456 [original in Hebrew].Google ScholarPubMed
16N.N. Sieben Prozent sind Vegetarier. Fleischwirtschaft 2000; 80: 6.Google Scholar
17Leitzmann, C, Hahn, A. Vegetarische Ernährung. Stuttgart: Ulmer, 1996; 445.Google Scholar
18Waldmann, A, Koschizke, JW, Leitzmann, C, Hahn, A. Dietary intakes and lifestyle factors of German vegans: results of the German Vegan Study. European Journal of Clinical Nutrition 2003; 57: 947–55.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
19Hoffmann, I, Kohl, M, Groeneveld, M, Leitzmann, C. Development and validation of a new instrument to measure food intake. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 1994; 59(Suppl.): 284.Google Scholar
20World Health Organization (WHO). Energy and Protein Requirements. Report of a Joint Food and Agriculture Organization/WHO/United Nations University Expert Consultation. Geneva: WHO, 1985.Google Scholar
21Heseker, H, Schneider, R, Moch, KJ, Kohlmeier, M, Kübler, W. Vitaminversorgung Erwachsener in der Bundesrepublik Deutschland. In: Kübler, W, Anders, HJ, Heeschen, W, Kohlmeier, M, eds. VERA-Schriftenreihe Vol. IV. Niederkleen: Wissenschaftlicher Fachverlag Dr Fleck, 1994; 209.Google Scholar
22 Deutsche Gesellschaft für Ernährung, Österreichische Gesellschaft für Ernährung, Schweizerische Gesellschaft für Ernährungsforschung, Schweizerische Vereinigung für Ernährung. Referenzwerte für die Nährstoffzufuhr. Frankfurt am Main: Umschau/Braus 2000; 240.Google Scholar
23Mensink, G, Henschel, Y, Beitz, R, Burger, M. Vitamine und Mineralstoffe. In: Mensink, G, Burger, M, Beitz, R, Henschel, Y, Hintzpeter, B, eds. Was essen wir heute? Beiträe zur Gesundheitsberichterstattung des Bundes. Berlin: Robert-Koch-Institut, 2002; 41–81.Google Scholar
24Haddad, EH, Berk, LS, Kettering, JD, Hubbard, RW, Peters, WR. Dietary intake and biochemical, hematologic, and immune status of vegans compared to omnivores. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 1999; 70(Suppl.): 586S–93S.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
25Millet, P, Guilland, JC, Fuchs, F, Klepping, J. Nutrient intake and vitamin status of healthy French vegetarians and nonvegetarians. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 1989; 50: 718–27.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
26Rottka, H, Hermann-Kunz, E, Hahn, B, Lang, HP. Berliner Vegetarier Studie. 1. Mitteilung: Lebensmittelverzehr, Nährstoff und Energieaufnahme im Vergleich zu Nichtvegetariern. Aktuelle Ernährungsmedizin 1988; 13: 161–70.Google Scholar
27Manore, MM, Vaughan, LA, Lehman, WR. Contribution of various food groups to dietary vitamin B-6 intake in free-living, low-income elderly persons. Journal of the American Dietetic Association 1990; 90: 830–4.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
28Kant, AK, Block, G. Dietary vitamin B-6 intake and food sources in the US population: NHANES II, 1976–1980. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 1990; 52: 707–16.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
29Leklem, JE. vitamin B6: a status report. Journal of Nutrition 1990; 120(Suppl.): 1503–7.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
30Leklem, JE, Miller, LT, Perera, AD, Peffers, DE. Bioavailability of vitamin B6 from wheat bread in humans. Journal of Nutrition 1980; 110: 1819–28.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed