There are many reasons people go vegan, from wanting to be healthier, to reducing their environmental footprint, to concerns about animal welfare.
No matter what the reason, many people find it difficult to meet the nutrient intake targets for specific vitamins and minerals while on a vegan diet. These include vitamin B12, iron, calcium, and iodine.
Here’s how to make sure you’re getting enough of these vitamins and minerals while following a vegan diet.
1. Vitamin B12
Vitamin B12, or cobalamin, is essential for making red blood cells, DNA (your genetic code), fatty acids located in myelin (which insulate nerves), and some neurotransmitters needed for brain function.
B12 is stored in the liver, and it takes years for a deficiency to occur.
Symptoms of B12 deficiency
Symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency include tiredness, lethargy, low exercise tolerance, light-headedness, rapid heart rate or palpitations, bruising and bleeding easily, weight loss, impotence, bowel or bladder changes, a sore tongue, and bleeding gums.
Other symptoms related to the nervous system include a loss of sensation in the hands or feet, problems related to movement, brain changes ranging from memory loss to mood changes or dementia, visual disturbances, and impaired bowel and bladder control.
Testing for B12 deficiency
Your doctor may request a blood test to check your vitamin B12 status and determine whether indicators are in the healthy range.
Vegan food sources of B12
Vitamin B12 is abundant in animal foods including meat, milk and dairy products.
For vegans, plant sources of vitamin B12 include algae, and plants exposed to bacteria or contaminated by soil or insects.
Traces of vitamin B12 can be found in some mushrooms, nori and fermented soybeans. However reliable sources include vitamin B12-supplemented soy or nut “milks”. Check the nutrition information panel on the label for the B12 content.
Crystalline vitamin B12 added to these products can boost the B12’s absorption rate to a level similar to that of animal products.
2. Calcium
Calcium is needed to develop and maintain the skeleton bones and is stored in the teeth and bones. It is also essential for heart, muscle and nerve function.
Testing for calcium deficiency
Low calcium intakes are associated with osteoporosis or “brittle bones” and a higher risk of bone fractures.
A bone scan is used to measure bone density, with osteoporosis diagnosed when bone density is low.
Both low calcium intakes and low vitamin D levels increase the risk of osteoporosis. Check your bone health using the Know Your Bones online quiz.
Vegan food sources of calcium
Although the richest sources of calcium are milk and milk-based foods, vegans can get calcium from tofu or bean curd, some fortified soy or nut beverages, nuts, seeds, legumes, and breakfast cereals.
Calcium needs can be higher for vegans and vegetarians due to the relatively high oxalic acid content of foods such as spinach, rhubarb, beans, and the high phytic acid content of seeds, nuts, grains, some raw beans, and soy products. These specific acids can lower the calcium absorption from these foods by 10-50%.
In a study of calcium intakes of 1,475 adults, vegans were below national recommendations and had lower calcium intakes compared with vegetarians, semi-vegetarians, pesco-vegetarians, and omnivores.
3. Iodine
Iodine is needed to make thyroxine, a thyroid hormone used in normal growth, regulation of metabolic rate, and development of the central nervous system. Concentrations of Iodine is highest in the thyroid gland.
Symptoms of iodine deficiency
An Iodine deficiency can lead to the enlargement of the thyroid gland, a goitre, or hypothyroidism.
Symptoms of hypothyroidism include lethargy, tiredness, muscular weakness, feeling cold, difficulty concentrating, poor memory, weight gain, depression, facial puffiness, hair loss, dry skin, constipation, and slower heartbeat.
In women, iodine deficiency can increase risk of miscarriage and stillbirth, and congenital anomalies, including mental retardation and cretinism.
Testing for iodine deficiency
Your iodine status can be assessed by a range of tests, including thyroid hormones in your blood, the size of your thyroid gland, or the presence of a goitre. Talk to your doctor about these tests.
Vegan food sources of iodine
The iodine content of food depends on the iodine content of plants, which in turn depends on soil iodine content. When soil content is low, iodine may need to be supplemented.
Major sources of iodine are seafood, dairy products, and eggs.
For vegans, iodised salt, commercial bread made using iodised salt, fortified soy or nut milk (check the product label) and seaweed are important.
Substances called goitrogens, which are found in brassica vegetables – including cabbage, broccoli and Brussels sprouts, sweet potato and maize – can interfere with the production of thyroid hormones.
4. Iron
Iron is needed to make haemoglobin in red blood cells, which carry oxygen around your body. It is also needed for the production of energy in your muscles, and for concentration and a healthy immune system.
Symptoms and testing for iron deficiency and anaemia
Not having enough iron leads to iron deficiency, and is associated with reduced work capacity, impaired brain function, lower immunity, and delayed development in infants.
The first stage of iron deficiency is referred to as low iron stores and your doctor may refer you for a blood test to check your iron status.
Vegan food sources of iron
In Australia and New Zealand, the biggest contributors to iron intake are wholegrain cereals, meats, chicken, and fish.
The amount of iron absorbed from food depends on a person’s iron status. Those who are iron-deficient absorb more. As well as the iron content of the entire meal, and whether iron is haem (from animal foods) or non-haem iron (plant sources).
You can boost your absorption by adding lemon or lime juice (citric acid) or other vitamin C-rich vegetables and fruits.
Take care with food components that inhibit the absorption of both haem and non-haem iron, including calcium, zinc and phytates in legumes, rice and other grains, and polyphenols and vegetable proteins that can inhibit the absorption of non-haem iron.
Other important nutrients
Long-term vegans will also need to keep an eye on levels of vitamin D, omega-3 fat and protein.
A good strategy is to check in with your GP periodically to review your health and well-being, and an accredited practising dietitian can check whether you’re getting all the nutrients you need.
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Professor in Nutrition and Dietetics, University of Newcastle. Have you gone vegan? Keep an eye on these 4 nutrients May 1, 2019 6.13 am AES
