Vegan Diets in Taiwan Linked to Lower Omega-3, Vitamin D, and Iodine Levels
This study compared blood and urine markers of nutritional status among 115 adults in Taiwan who followed vegan, lacto-ovo vegetarian, or omnivore diets. Researchers measured fatty acid profiles in red blood cells, vitamin D levels in plasma, and iodine levels in urine.
Vegans had the lowest levels of saturated fat, trans fat, and omega-3 fatty acids (including EPA and DHA), but the highest levels of omega-6 fatty acids. Using the Omega-3 Index, a measure of long-term omega-3 status, vegans averaged 2.6%, vegetarians 3.7%, and omnivores 5.8%.
Vitamin D deficiency was found in 75% of vegans, compared to 36% of omnivores and 24% of vegetarians. Iodine insufficiency was also most common among vegans (76%), versus 57% of vegetarians and 56% of omnivores.
What this means for you
For people following vegan diets, this research suggests it may be worth paying extra attention to omega-3, vitamin D, and iodine intake, since plant-based eating patterns without supplementation were linked to lower levels of these nutrients compared to vegetarian or omnivore diets in this study.
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Tzu chi medical journal · 2026-01-01 · DOI: 10.4103/tcmj.TCMJ-D-25-00058
Read the original source ↗This summary is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Always talk to your healthcare provider before making changes to your supplement routine.