The iron and zinc status of long-term vegetarian women

Abstract

Iron and zinc status of 56 Seventh-Day Adventist Canadian women (mean age 52.9 ±15.3 yr) following vegetarian diets for 19 ± 17 yr were investigated. Energy, protein, iron, available iron, zinc, and total dietary fiber intakes were calculated from 3-day dietary records. Hemoglobin, serum iron, total iron binding capacity, serum and hair zinc concentrations were also determined. Plant products provided 92 and 77% of the total dietary iron and zinc intakes, respectively. Calculated mean daily intakes (± SD) for energy, protein, iron, zinc, and total dietary fiber were 1630 ± 354 kcal, 58 ± 14 g, 12.5 ± 3.0 mg, 9.2 ± 2.5 mg, and 30.9 ± 11.0 g, respectively. Mean hemoglobin (13.1 ± 1.0 g/dl), calculated serum transferrin saturation (37.5 ± 12.9%), mean serum zinc (99 ± 24 µg/dl), and hair zinc concentrations (187 ± 44 ppm) were all within the normal range. The iron and zinc status of these long-term Seventh-Day Adventist vegetarian women appeared adequate despite their low intake of readily absorbed iron and zinc from flesh foods and their high intake of total dietary fiber and phytate.