Haematological studies on vegans

Abstract

1. The concentrations of vitamin B 12 and folate in the serum and folate in the erythrocytes were determined and full blood counts made on a series of caucasian vegans and omnivore controls. 2. The blood counts and films were normal in all the vegans and no subject had a haemoglobin concentration below the lower limit of normality. 3. Although within the normal range, male but not female vegans had lower values for erythrocyte counts and higher values for mean corpuscular volume and mean corpuscular haemoglobin than their controls regardless of whether they were taking vitamin B 12 supplements or not. 4. The mean serum vitamin B 12 concentration was lower in the vegans not taking vitamin B 12 supplements and in those using foods supplemented with the vitamin than in the controls, but in no subject was it below 80 ng/l. 5. The serum folate concentrations were higher in the vegans than in their controls. The mean value for erythrocyte folate tended to be greater in the vegans not taking vitamin B 12 supplements. No subject had an erythrocyte folate concentration of less than 100μg/l. 6. It is concluded that megaloblastic anaemia is very rare in caucasian vegans and that a diet consisting entirely of plant foods is generally adequate to promote normal blood formation providing it is composed of a mixture of unrefined cereals, pulses, nuts, fruit and vegetables and is supplemented with vitamin B 12 .