SERUM VITAMIN B12, FOLATE, AND HEMATOLOGICAL INDICES IN VEGETARIANS AND NON-VEGETARIANS IN ERBIL, IRAQ: A COMPARATIVE CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY

Abstract

 Introduction: Vegetarian diets have many health disadvantages; avoiding animal-derived foods may increase the risk of vitamin B12 deficiency, especially vitamin B12 and folate deficiency. This study compared serum vitamin B12 and folate levels between vegetarians and non-vegetarians. Methods: This comparative cross-sectional study included 50 healthy participants in Erbil, Iraq: 25 vegetarians and 25 non-vegetarians. Blood samples were collected and analyzed blood samples to determine complete blood count and serum vitamin B12 and folate levels. Results: Vegetarians had lower vitamin B12 concentrations with a borderline significant difference (p=0.050), while serum folate levels did not differ significantly between groups. Compared with non-vegetarians, vegetarians had significantly lower hemoglobin concentration and red blood cell count (p < 0.05), while RDW-SD and RDW-CV were significantly higher (p < 0.05). Conclusion: This study concluded that vitamin B12 levels decreased and several complete blood count parameters were altered in the vegetarian group. In comparison between the two groups, serum folate levels were not altered.