Vegetarian Diet Does not pose Risk of Vitamin B6 Deficiency, says study

Key findings of the study were:

• The mean PLP concentrations were 58.2 ± 6.0, 52.1 ± 3.7, 49.2 ± 4.6 and 51.0 ± 1.1 nmol/L among vegetarians, pescatarians, flexitarians, and meat-eaters and the mean 4-PA concentrations were 32.7 ± 4.0, 29.0 ± 2.5, 34.8 ± 5.6 and 33.0 ± 0.7, respectively.
• Upon analysis, the researchers found no statistically significant differences in PLP, 4-PA, and their ratio across the groups in multivariable linear regression models.
• They noted that the use of vitamin B6 supplements was the strongest predictor of the vitamin B6 status, followed by the dietary vitamin B6 intake.
• They also noted that several other covariates were significantly associated with vitamin B6 biomarker levels, particularly, serum albumin, creatinine and alkaline phosphatase,
• They wrote that these covariates should be considered when assessing the vitamin B6 status.

The authors concluded, "In the present analysis, no evidence was found that the type of diet (vegetarian, pescatarian, flexitarian, and meat-eating) consumed affects vitamin B6 serum concentrations. Therefore, meat and fish, which are good sources of vitamin B6, may not be needed to achieve a sufficient vitamin B6 status, and vitamin B6 may not be a critical nutrient among vegetarians."

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DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/nu13051627