Long-term ovo-lacto vegetarian diet impairs vitamin B-12 status in pregnant women

A well-planned vegetarian diet has been stated to be adequate during pregnancy. The aim of the present study was to compare serum vitamin B-12 and homocysteine concentrations in pregnant women (n = 109) consuming vegetarian and Western diets and to evaluate the adequacy of current dietary reference intakes of vitamin B-12 for these women. Pregnant women adhering to vegetarian diets for at least 3 y, with subgroups of ovo-lacto vegetarians (OLVs; n = 27), low-meat eaters (LME, n = 43), and women eating an average Western diet (control group, n = 39), were recruited. Dietary vitamin B-12 intake, serum vitamin B-12, and plasma total homocysteine (tHcy) concentrations were measured in wk 9-12, 20-22, and 36-38 of pregnancy. During pregnancy serum vitamin B-12 concentrations of ovo-lacto vegetarians (P < 0.001) and low-meat eaters (P = 0.050) were lower than those of the control group. We observed the combination of low serum vitamin B-12 concentrations and elevated plasma tHcy in 22% of ovo-lacto vegetarians, in 10% of low-meat eaters, and in 3% of controls (P = 0.003). In OLVs, serum vitamin B-12 predicted 60% of the plasma tHcy variation (P < 0.001), but in LMEs and controls only <10% (NS). Serum vitamin B-12 concentrations increased and plasma tHcy decreased sharply with increasing dietary intake of vitamin B-12 toward a cutoff point of 3 mug/d. Pregnant women consuming a long-term predominantly vegetarian diet have an increased risk of vitamin B-12 deficiency. Current recommended dietary intakes urgently need reevaluation

Comparison Of The Effects Of Patellar Tendon Bearing And Total Surface Bearing Sockets On Prosthetic Fitting And Rehabilitation

Patellar tendon bearing (PTB) and total surface bearing (TSB) sockets have been used respectively in the prosthetic treatment of 20 trans-tibial amputees to investigate the effectiveness of both sockets on prosthetic fitting and rehabilitation. Data analysis showed that prostheses with TSB sockets were lighter than the prostheses with PTB sockets and better suspension was obtained from TSB prosthetic socket (p<0.05). It was also found that weight acceptance on the amputated side advanced to a more normal value with TSB prostheses (p<0.05). There was a statistically significant difference between the two socket types in walking and in other ambulation activities except sitting and standing up from a chair, in favour of the TSB socket (p<0.05). Consequently, due to the outcome of this study it can be said that TSB prosthetic sockets can be used effectively in the rehabilitation of trans-tibial amputees.WoSScopu