Vegan diet in young children remodels metabolism and challenges the statuses of essential nutrients
Abstract Vegan diets are gaining popularity, also in families with young children. However, the effects of strict plant‐based diets on metabolism and micronutrient status of children are unknown. We recruited 40 Finnish children with a median age 3.5 years—vegans, vegetarians, or omnivores from same...
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Springer Nature
2021-01-01
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| Series: | EMBO Molecular Medicine |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.15252/emmm.202013492 |
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| author | Topi Hovinen Liisa Korkalo Riitta Freese Essi Skaffari Pirjo Isohanni Mikko Niemi Jaakko Nevalainen Helena Gylling Nicola Zamboni Maijaliisa Erkkola Anu Suomalainen |
| author_facet | Topi Hovinen Liisa Korkalo Riitta Freese Essi Skaffari Pirjo Isohanni Mikko Niemi Jaakko Nevalainen Helena Gylling Nicola Zamboni Maijaliisa Erkkola Anu Suomalainen |
| author_sort | Topi Hovinen |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Vegan diets are gaining popularity, also in families with young children. However, the effects of strict plant‐based diets on metabolism and micronutrient status of children are unknown. We recruited 40 Finnish children with a median age 3.5 years—vegans, vegetarians, or omnivores from same daycare centers—for a cross‐sectional study. They enjoyed nutritionist‐planned vegan or omnivore meals in daycare, and the full diets were analyzed with questionnaires and food records. Detailed analysis of serum metabolomics and biomarkers indicated vitamin A insufficiency and border‐line sufficient vitamin D in all vegan participants. Their serum total, HDL and LDL cholesterol, essential amino acid, and docosahexaenoic n‐3 fatty acid (DHA) levels were markedly low and primary bile acid biosynthesis, and phospholipid balance was distinct from omnivores. Possible combination of low vitamin A and DHA status raise concern for their visual health. Our evidence indicates that (i) vitamin A and D status of vegan children requires special attention; (ii) dietary recommendations for children cannot be extrapolated from adult vegan studies; and (iii) longitudinal studies on infant‐onset vegan diets are warranted. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-bc1edf28ff8b41c1bec79929f2032f90 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1757-4676 1757-4684 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2021-01-01 |
| publisher | Springer Nature |
| record_format | Article |
| series | EMBO Molecular Medicine |
| spelling | doaj-art-bc1edf28ff8b41c1bec79929f2032f902025-08-20T04:03:06ZengSpringer NatureEMBO Molecular Medicine1757-46761757-46842021-01-0113211210.15252/emmm.202013492Vegan diet in young children remodels metabolism and challenges the statuses of essential nutrientsTopi Hovinen0Liisa Korkalo1Riitta Freese2Essi Skaffari3Pirjo Isohanni4Mikko Niemi5Jaakko Nevalainen6Helena Gylling7Nicola Zamboni8Maijaliisa Erkkola9Anu Suomalainen10Research Programs Unit, Stem Cells and Metabolism, University of HelsinkiDepartment of Food and Nutrition, University of HelsinkiDepartment of Food and Nutrition, University of HelsinkiDepartment of Food and Nutrition, University of HelsinkiResearch Programs Unit, Stem Cells and Metabolism, University of HelsinkiIndividualized Drug Therapy Research Program, University of HelsinkiHealth Sciences, Faculty of Social Sciences, Tampere UniversityDepartment of Medicine, Division of Internal Medicine, University of HelsinkiInstitute of Molecular Systems Biology, ETH ZürichDepartment of Food and Nutrition, University of HelsinkiResearch Programs Unit, Stem Cells and Metabolism, University of HelsinkiAbstract Vegan diets are gaining popularity, also in families with young children. However, the effects of strict plant‐based diets on metabolism and micronutrient status of children are unknown. We recruited 40 Finnish children with a median age 3.5 years—vegans, vegetarians, or omnivores from same daycare centers—for a cross‐sectional study. They enjoyed nutritionist‐planned vegan or omnivore meals in daycare, and the full diets were analyzed with questionnaires and food records. Detailed analysis of serum metabolomics and biomarkers indicated vitamin A insufficiency and border‐line sufficient vitamin D in all vegan participants. Their serum total, HDL and LDL cholesterol, essential amino acid, and docosahexaenoic n‐3 fatty acid (DHA) levels were markedly low and primary bile acid biosynthesis, and phospholipid balance was distinct from omnivores. Possible combination of low vitamin A and DHA status raise concern for their visual health. Our evidence indicates that (i) vitamin A and D status of vegan children requires special attention; (ii) dietary recommendations for children cannot be extrapolated from adult vegan studies; and (iii) longitudinal studies on infant‐onset vegan diets are warranted.https://doi.org/10.15252/emmm.202013492developmentmetabolismnutritionveganvitamin |
| spellingShingle | Topi Hovinen Liisa Korkalo Riitta Freese Essi Skaffari Pirjo Isohanni Mikko Niemi Jaakko Nevalainen Helena Gylling Nicola Zamboni Maijaliisa Erkkola Anu Suomalainen Vegan diet in young children remodels metabolism and challenges the statuses of essential nutrients EMBO Molecular Medicine development metabolism nutrition vegan vitamin |
| title | Vegan diet in young children remodels metabolism and challenges the statuses of essential nutrients |
| title_full | Vegan diet in young children remodels metabolism and challenges the statuses of essential nutrients |
| title_fullStr | Vegan diet in young children remodels metabolism and challenges the statuses of essential nutrients |
| title_full_unstemmed | Vegan diet in young children remodels metabolism and challenges the statuses of essential nutrients |
| title_short | Vegan diet in young children remodels metabolism and challenges the statuses of essential nutrients |
| title_sort | vegan diet in young children remodels metabolism and challenges the statuses of essential nutrients |
| topic | development metabolism nutrition vegan vitamin |
| url | https://doi.org/10.15252/emmm.202013492 |
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