Trace Elements in Medicine (Moscow)
2020, 21(2): 13-22
TOPICAL PAPERS

ESSENTIAL TRACE AND ULTRA TRACE ELEMENTS IN NUTRITION OF VEGETARIANS AND VEGANS. PART 2. IODINE, SELENIUM, CHROMIUM, MOLYBDENUM, COBALT

A.V. Galchenko^1,2, A.M. Nazarova¹

¹ Federal State Budgetary Scientific Institution Federal Research Centre of Nutrition, Biotechnology and Food Safety, Ust'inskiy Proezd Str. 2/14, 109240, Moscow, Russia
² Peoples` Friendship University of Russia, Miklukho-Maklaya str. 6, 117198, Moscow, Russia

DOI: 10.19112/2413-6174-2020-21-2-13-22 

ABSTRACT. In addition to the inhibitory effect of phytic and oxalic acids, other factors also affect the provision of vegans and vegetarians with essential elements. Selenium comes predominantly from plant products. However, its content in plants depends on the concentration in soils, which varies considerably in different regions. The source of iodine is seafood. Studies show that all food groups are at high risk of iodine deficiency, but vegans and vegetarians are at greater. In addition, remoteness from the seacoast and the properties of agricultural soils also play a role in the status of iodine in the body. Currently, many countries are taking steps to prevent iodine deficiency (food fortification). Cobalt is part of vitamin B12, an essential micronutrient deficient in vegans and often even in vegetarians. In addition, cobalt is also a cofactor of other molecules. However, to date, data on the prevalence of cobalt deficiency is not enough for analysis. There is not enough information about the prevalence of molybdenum deficiency.

KEYWORDS: vegetarian, vegan, trace elements, iodine, selenium, chromium, molybdenum, cobalt.