Rationale for intake of vitamin-mineral complexes by children vegetarians

The objective. To assess the incidence of insufficient supply of water-soluble vitamins in vegetarian children using non-invasive methods (excretion with the urine), depending on the intake of the vitamin-mineral complex. In the winter-autumn period we examined 38 preschool and school-aged vegetarian children (3–16 years old) living in Moscow and being on vegetarian diet. The 1st group consisted of 25 children who did not take vitamins. The 2nd group included 13 children who took a complex of 12 vitamins and 9 minerals for 1–3 weeks. Vitamin status was assessed by excretion of ascorbic acid, thiamine, riboflavin, and 4-pyridoxyl acid with morning urine collected on an empty stomach.

The results. Only 1 child from the 1st group had a lack of vitamin C due to the sufficient intake of fresh vegetables and fruits. A vitamin-mineral complex noticeably improved the provision of vitamins B. The children of the Group 1, had a reduced excretion of vitamins B1, B2 and B6 more often as compared to the children of Group 2: 44.0–64.0% vs 0–30.8%. 2/3 of children-vegetarians of Group 2 were adequately provided with three vitamins of group B, which is 2.7 times higher than children who did not receive vitamins. A deficiency of three vitamins was detected in 7 children (28%) who did not take a vitamin-mineral complex.

The conclusion. A vitamin-mineral complex in the diet is a necessary condition for maintaining optimal micronutrient status of vegetarian children.

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