Selenium status in vegans and lactovegetarians

Abstract

1. Plasma and urinary selenium were determined among vegans, lactovegetarians and several groups of omnivorous subjects, using gas-liquid chromatography.2. Plasma Se was lower among lactovegetarians (0.80 (SD 0.18) μmol/l) than in the other groups (0.98 (SD 0.15) μmol/l). This was not related to Se intake, since the vegans had a lower and the lactovegetarians a higher intake of Se than omnivorous subjects in Sweden.3. Urinary Se was 0.36 (SD 0.10)μmol/d for controls, 0.17 (SD 0.10) μmol/d for vegans and 0.16 (SD 0.07)μmol/d for lactovegetarians. No relation between dietary Se and urinary Se was observed. Among vegetarians, plasma Se and urinary Se were correlated (r 0.51; P < 0.05).