Estimation of mineral and trace element intake in vegans living in Japan by chemical analysis of duplicate diets

Abstract

Thirty-six daily duplicate diet samples were collected from 12 healthy female Japanese vegans and sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, iron, zinc, copper, manganese, iodine, selenium, chromium and molybdenum in the diets were measured to estimate mineral and trace element intake by Japanese vegans. Significantly higher intake of potassium, magnesium, phosphorus, iron, copper, manganese and molybdenum was observed in vegans than in general Japanese women, but no difference was observed in sodium, iodine, selenium and chromium intake. Vegan calcium intake tended to be low compared to that of general women but the difference was not significant. Since high potassium, magnesium and iron intakes cannot be achieved by general Japanese diets and high intake of potassium and magnesium may prevent hyperextension and cardiovascular disease in vegans, there are few problems with Japanese vegan diets regarding mineral and trace element intake, except for calcium intake, which is low as it is in the general Japanese people.