Assessment of vitamin A, vitamin B 2 , vitamin B 12 , vitamin K, folate, and choline status following 4 months of multinutrient supplementation in healthy vegans: a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.

Abstract

The aim of the MultiVeg study, a double-blind, randomised controlled trial (RCT), was to investigate the nutritional status of healthy vegans following 4 months of multinutrient supplementation. A double-blind, RCT was conducted with 72 vegan adults (19-57 years) in Germany. Data on anthropometric parameters, dietary nutrient intake, and nutritional status were collected. The nutritional status of the participants was assessed at baseline and after 4 months. The results were compared between groups using ANCOVA. The results for vitamins and choline are presented here. After adjustment for baseline values, age, sex, and multiple testing, no significant between-group differences in biomarker concentration changes from baseline to 4 months were observed for vitamin A, retinol-binding protein, transthyretin, beta-carotene, methylmalonic acid, homocysteine, choline, total osteocalcin, carboxylated and undercarboxylated osteocalcin, and folate. In contrast, significant between-group differences in changes were observed for flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD), serum vitamin B 12 , holotranscobalamin, and the combined vitamin B 12 status indicator (cB 12 ) after adjustment. A multinutrient supplement containing 82 µg of vitamin B 12 per day significantly positively affected vitamin B 12 blood biomarkers in healthy vegans. This study was registered in the German Clinical Trials Register (DRKS00028151).