Vegetarian vs omnivorous diets and the ferritin status in adults

Abstract

Topic Overview: Iron deficiency is the most common cause of anaemia worldwide. Iron status is highly dependent on iron bioavailability present in the diet. This review aims to investigate the effect diet would have on iron status by comparing the iron status of individuals following a vegetarian diet with that of individuals following an omnivorous diet. Research Question: In the adult population, does a vegetarian dietary pattern affect the ferritin status compared to an omnivorous dietary pattern? PICO Elements: The population investigated during this review was an adult population. The intervention was the vegetarian diet followed by the participants and the comparison made was with the participants following an omnivorous diet. The outcome was the effect these different diets would have on the resultant iron status. Methods: The research process was conducted using search terms that were adapted fo searches conducted in different databases with the use of limiters. The search strategies used were completed on databases such as MEDLINE and PubMed, among others. The PRISMA framework was utilised to guide the screening process in which different eligibility criteria were applied. The studies eligible for inclusion were written in English, the study participants were adults and these studies were published after 2010. The CASP Tool guided the appraisal process and determined the possible risk of bias. Results: The review included two meta-analysis and three cohort studies. The overall results were inconclusive due to varying methodologies and inconsistent variables. However, there was indicative evidence of lower ferritin status in vegetarian participants when compared to omnivorous participants, especially in pre-menopausal female vegetarian participants. Implications and Recommendations: Further research in this field is required. Recommendations include the use of larger sample sizes and repeated investigations of the ferritin status of the participants. The implications of this study included the need for further knowledge of the effect of diet on health and education of the public on balanced nutrition and nutritional requirements. The need for protocol on iron supplementation and further financial support for research was highlighted.