Very fashionable, the vegan diet is not without consequences on the metabolism of children, and therefore on their health.
- The vegan diet, which excludes all animal products, is increasingly popular among young parents, sensitive to ethical and ecological issues.
- The vegan diet generates nutritional deficiencies in children.
The vegan diet significantly impacts the metabolism of young children, according to a new Finnish study.
The vegan diet, which excludes all animal products, is increasingly popular among young parents, sensitive to ethical and ecological issues. Until now, the impact of this mode of feeding on the metabolism of children had not been studied.
To address this lack of data, researchers Topi Hovinen and Liisa Korkalo assessed the nutrition and metabolism of 40 healthy children, all from Helsinki. They followed a vegan, vegetarian or omnivorous diet depending on their family’s eating habits.
Lack of vitamins A and D
The bottom line: Children on an all-vegan diet had significantly lower vitamin D levels than children who ate normally, despite regular supplementation and blood draws at the end of summer. Ditto for vitamin A. Levels of LDL and HDL cholesterol, essential amino acids, and docosahexaenoic acid (a fatty acid that plays a central role in the development of visual function), were also lower than average. In contrast, folate levels were particularly high in vegan children.
“Our results indicate that the effects of extreme diets on children cannot be extrapolated from adult studies. In addition to vitamin D intake, attention should be paid to adequate intake of vitamin A and proteins from various sources”, commented Topi Hovinen.
Necessary supplements
It is recommended to always supplement a vegan diet with vitamin B12, vitamin D and iodine. Calcium, iron and zinc supplementation may also be necessary, depending on individual metabolisms.
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