Vitamin Supplements You Need on a Vegan Diet

Vegan and vegetarian diets center around vegetables and fruits, which are rich in nutrients and boast many health benefits. However, plant-based diets also tend to be rich in cereal grains and legumes, which are low in bioavailable nutrients and also high in “anti-nutrients” such as phytate. This can increase the risk of nutritional deficiencies for those of us who follow a plant-based diet.

Vegan diets, especially, can lack some nutrients that are necessary for good health. Research suggests that both vegetarians and vegans are prone to deficiencies in B12, vitamin D, calcium, iron, zinc, healthy fats EPA & DHA, and vitamin A.

We walk you through each of these crucial nutrients and show you how with a little bit of planning you can keep nutrient deficiencies at bay.

Vitamin B12

Also known as cobalamin, this water-soluble vitamin plays a crucial role in the normal functioning of the brain and nervous system and is also involved in keeping blood cells healthy. Vitamin B12 is the only vitamin that isn’t reliably supplied by a varied wholefood, plant-based diet with plenty of fruit and vegetables.

Studies have shown that 68% of vegetarians and 83% of vegans are vitamin B12 deficient compared to only 5% of omnivores⁴.

B12 Deficiency Symptoms

Individuals with an inadequate intake of this vitamin are at higher risks of:

68% of vegetarians and 83% of vegans are thought to be B12 deficient

As the body’s stores of vitamin B12 get depleted (this can take years to become clinically evident), cell division becomes impaired especially in the rapidly dividing cells of the bone marrow and intestinal mucosa. This can cause megaloblastic anemia, a type of anemia where red blood cells become abnormally large. Symptoms include loss of appetite, weight loss, fatigue, muscle weakness, and increased heart beat.¹

Early onset nerve damage starts with tingling or numbness in the hands and feet and balance issues. If the deficiency is not corrected, short-term memory may be impaired and dementia may set in due to myelin damage. ²

Gradual cognitive impairment due to increased levels of homocysteine. Subjects with inadequate B12 stores were found to have smaller brain volumes. ³

Caution: A deficiency of the vitamin may be masked by folate supplementation causing nerve damage to go unnoticed. One way to prevent this would be to ensure that you do not take more than 1000µg of folate per day. ¹

How much vitamin B12 do you need per day? ¹

Children: between 0.9 to 1.4 µg
Adults: about 2.4µg
Pregnant women: 2.6µg
Lactating women: 2.8µg

Vegetarians and vegans particularly at risk of B12 deficiency include pregnant and lactating women due to increased requirements, vegans who avoid common fortified foods (e.g. raw food vegans or macrobiotic vegans),  as well as individuals above 50. The body needs a specific binding protein known as intrinsic factor to absorb vitamin B12. However, as we age, the body’s production of this protein dwindles and so does gastric acid secretion – these two factors contribute to a reduced absorption of vitamin B12.

People with the following health conditions are also at greater risk of B12 deficiency: pernicious anemia, intestinal disorders (such as celiac disease, bacterial overgrowth in the small intestine, atrophic gastritis), hyperthyroidism, diabetics on medication metformin, people who use of acid-suppressing drugs, those liver disease, and anyone who has had a total or partial gastrectomy.

Where can you get vitamin B12?

1. Vegetarian sources: Eggs and dairy products such as milk, yogurt and cheese. If you consume dairy, consider the raw type – a large amount of the vitamin is lost when milk is pasteurized or evaporated.

2. Vegan sources: Nutritional yeast (about 2 teaspoons will provide you with the recommended daily allowance for vitamin B12). The only reliable vegan sources of B12 are foods that have been fortified with B12 and B12 supplements.

3. Supplements ⁵:

• Cyanocobalamin supplement: 25 to 100µg per day OR 1000µg 2-3 times per week.
• Sublingual methylcobalamin: 1000µg per day

Tips!

Veggie burgers often contain eggs and dairy products so make sure to check the label first if you’re vegan.

Many people believe that tempeh, miso and seaweed are rich in the vitamin. However, these foods are not reliable sources as the amount of vitamin B12 will depend on the type of processing the food has undergone. Plus recent studies indicate that the B12 present in these foods can mimic true B12 in blood tests while actually interfering with B12 metabolism and further increasing the need for B12. ⁶

If you have been vegan or vegetarian for several years but haven’t been taking any B12 supplement, you may want to test your blood for holotranscobalamin (holoTC) or methylmalonic acid (MMA) to determine if you would benefit from a more therapeutic dose of B₁₂. Testing for total serum vitamin B₁₂ is a late and poor test of vitamin B12 deficiency, while testing for holoTC and MMA allows early treatment to be started before irreversible neurological damage occurs.

VITAMIN D

Vitamin D or calciferol is also known as the ‘sunshine vitamin’ since modest exposure to sunlight enables the body to produce the vitamin D it needs using UV light and cholesterol in the skin. This fat-soluble vitamin is essential for calcium absorption.

WHAT HAPPENS IF YOU DON’T GET ENOUGH VITAMIN D?

Once quite rare, the incidence of vitamin D deficiency is on the rise worldwide among children and adults ⁷ and this could predispose people to:

• Heart attacks ⁸
• Various autoimmune diseases including autoimmune thyroid disease ⁹
• Growth failure and rickets in children ¹⁰
• Increased risk of fracture, osteopenia and osteoporosis ¹¹
• Aches and pains in joints and muscles ¹²
• Muscle weakness, multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis and urinary tract infections ¹³
• Obesity – a vitamin D deficiency messes with the production of the appetite regulating hormones leptin and ghrelin ¹⁴.

How much vitamin D do you need per day? ¹

Children: 700 IU
Adults: 1000 IU
Post-menopausal women: 1100-1300 IU

Where can you get vitamin D?

1. Vegetarian sources: If you eat fish, try to consume wild oily fish such as salmon, mackerel, and herring at least twice a week. You can also get some vitamin D from krill oil, fish oils like cod liver or skate liver oils.

Tip! One study showed that wild salmon contains about 500–1000 IU vitamin D in 100 g (3.5 ounces), whereas farmed salmon contained about 100–250 IU vitamin D per 100g serving ¹³. The reason is that farmed fish are fed food pellets that contain no (or a very small amount) of vitamin D.

Milk and dairy products – make sure to choose full-cream products as part of the vitamin D naturally present in low-fat versions is lost when the fat is removed.

2. Vegan sources: Fortified non-dairy milks such as almond, rice and oat milks; mushrooms irradiated with ultraviolet B light for 5 minutes under controlled conditions‎ ¹³.

3. Supplements ⁵:

Although vitamin D₃ is better absorbed compared to vitamin D₂ supplements, you may want to choose vitamin D₂ over D₃– vitamin D₂ (ergocalciferol) supplements are vegan whereas vitamin D₂ (cholecalciferol) is produced by the ultraviolet irradiation of a substance derived from sheep’s wool or animal skins.

Calcium

Vegans often believe that their calcium needs are lower than meat eaters since they don’t consume protein from animal sources. However, this theory is has been proven wrong and research has shown that vegans often tend to be calcium deficient ¹⁴, as calcium bioavailability from plant foods is affected by the presence of oxalates and phytates.

What happens if you don’t get enough calcium?

Since the mineral is involved in bone and heart health, a deficiency could cause:

• Rickets especially if vitamin D levels are low or borderline normal ¹⁵
• Calcification of arteries by increasing release of calcium from bones into the blood ¹⁶
• Irregular heartbeat ¹
• Congestive heart failure ¹
• Neuropsychiatric symptoms such as seizure, dementia, anxiety and depression ¹
• Increased muscular irritability including muscle stiffness and spasms ¹

Where can you get calcium?

1. Vegetarian sources: Milk and dairy products and bone-in fish.

2. Vegan sources: Dark green veggies such as broccoli, bok choy, collards, kale, mustard greens, Chinese cabbage, and okra, nuts, fortified foods, and blackstrap molasses. Poor sources of calcium include spinach, chard and beet greens, which are rich in oxalates that bind with the calcium in these greens, reducing bioavailability.

How much calcium do you need per day? ¹

Children: between 500 to 800mg
Teenagers: 1300mg
Adults aged below 50: 1000mg
Adults aged above 50: 1200mg

About calcium supplements

In a recent 11-year study involving almost 24000 participants, those who took a calcium supplement were about twice as likely to suffer from a heart attack compared to those who didn’t take any supplement ¹⁷.

So, should you take a calcium supplement? That’s up to you but if you do, make sure that you have adequate magnesium stores and that your diet is rich in magnesium (from green leafy veggies, legumes, nuts, seeds and fruits like bananas and blueberries). The reason is that taking a calcium supplement when you are magnesium deficient could lead to calcium buildup in soft tissues thus accelerating atherosclerosis ¹⁸.

Omega-3s

There are three kinds of omega-3 fatty acids namely EPA and DHA – the omega fats with the most health benefits – and ALA.

What happens if you don’t get enough omega-3?

A deficiency of omega-3s has been linked to impaired learning and memory in rodents ¹⁹. In humans, inadequate intake of these fatty acids may cause:

• Behavioral issues ²⁰
• Depression ²⁰
• Fatigue ²⁰
• Increased inflammation
• Heart issues ²¹.

Pregnant and lactating women and seniors are the most vulnerable to omega-3 deficiencies.

How to get enough omega-3’s?

1. Vegetarian sources: EPA and DHA can be obtained from seafood, krill oil and fish liver oils such as cod and skate. Eggs contain DHA.

2. Vegan sources: Seaweed and sea vegetables contain some EPA and DHA; nuts, flaxseeds, hemp seeds, pumpkin seeds and chia seeds contain ALA.

3. Take a DHA supplement ²²

For people below 60 or those who just want to ensure that they are getting enough DHA: 200 – 300 mg every 2-3 days.

For pregnant or lactating women; individuals aged 60 and above and those who want to have a DHA level similar to that of non-vegetarians: 200 – 300 mg per day.

4. Grind your seeds: Whole seeds aren’t digested well and will go ‘right through you’.

5. Reduce your intake of omega-6s from vegetable oils: The body uses the same enzymes to convert ALA into EPA and DHA and LA (a short chain omega-6) into a longer chain omega-6. What this implies is the more omega-6 you consume; the fewer enzymes will be available for ALA conversion. Instead, use grass-fed butter or virgin coconut oil for cooking and extra virgin olive oil for salads.

6. Get some ALA (even if you take a DHA supplement): Try to consume at least 0.5g of raw ALA per day. This can be obtained from three English walnut halves or 1/4 teaspoon of flaxseed oil or 1 teaspoon of ground flaxseed.

Iodine

Vegans were 80% more likely to be deficient in iodine

Due to a low iodine concentration in soil, iodine content in plant-based foods is lower compared to that of animal origin. In a small study, researchers found that vegans were 80% more likely to be deficient in iodine compared to vegetarians (25%) and participants on a mixed diet (9%) ²³. A more recent and slightly larger study showed that US vegans were at higher risk of inadequate iodine intake whereas US vegetarians consumed sufficient iodine ²⁴.

What happens if you don’t get enough iodine?

This mineral is essential for healthy thyroid function – the thyroid is a gland involved in the synthesis of several essential hormones. A diet deficient in iodine can lead to ¹:

• Low energy levels and extreme fatigue
• Tingling and numbness in the feet and hand as well as Raynaud’s phenomenon
• Weight gain
• Depression and personality changes as well as memory losses
• High cholesterol and homocysteine levels
• Anemia, and prolonged and heavy periods in women

How much iodine do you need per day? ¹

Infants: 110-130µg
Children: 90 to 120 µg
Teens and adults: 150µg
Pregnant women: 220µg
Breastfeeding women: 290µg

Where can you get iodine?

1. Vegetarian sources: Fatty fish such as salmon, tuna, mackerel, herring and sardines, eggs, dairy products

2. Vegan sources: Potatoes with the skin, kelp, iodized salts (1/4 teaspoon will provide 75 µg of iodine) and plants grown in an iodine-rich soil.

Tip! Vegans should consider taking an iodine supplement (about 75-150µg) every few days ⁵.

Iron

Did you know that vegans typically consume more iron than meat-eaters or lacto-ovo vegetarians?²⁵ Alas, the problem with plant-derived iron is how well it is absorbed – and it’s pretty poor compared to animal foods. Plants naturally contain phytate, a compound that binds to iron, making it less bioavailable to the body. Other common foods that inhibit iron absorption include black tea, coffee, dairy, supplemental fiber, as well as supplemental calcium.

What happens if you don’t get enough iron?

Iron is part of several enzymes and is involved in energy production and immune function, which means that a deficiency of this mineral can cause iron deficiency anemia which leads to:

• Fatigue
• Inability to maintain normal body temperature
• Dizziness
• Shortness of breath
• Common infections
• Memory issues ¹.

How much iron do you need per day?¹

Premenopausal women: 18mg (higher requirements due to menstrual losses)
Men and post-menopausal women: 8g

Where can you get iron?

1. Vegetarian sources: Fish and seafood (heme iron) and eggs (non-heme iron)

2. Vegan sources (non-heme iron): Dark green leafy veggies, legumes, bran, nuts, seeds, green beans

Tips to boost iron absorption

• Consume a vitamin C rich food with your meals – for instance you could have a kiwi or some grapefruit or oranges before your meal or you could have a side of dark green leafy veggies, bell peppers or cauliflower with your meal.
• To reduce the effects of phytate, toast your nuts and seeds or sprout beans and grains.
• Soak legumes and grains in water and discard this water prior to cooking – this should decrease levels of phytate in these foods.
• Cook acidic foods such as tomato-based sauces in cast-iron pans.
• Avoid tea or coffee 1 hour before and 2 hours after your meals – the tannins in these beverages will decrease non-heme iron absorption.
• Spices such as turmeric, chilies, coriander and tamarind also contain tannins – if you’re eating Indian food, simply have a vitamin C rich food with your meal.
• If you take calcium supplements, take them between your meals – calcium also reduces absorption of non-heme iron.

Zinc

Zinc is a tricky issue for vegans. Though plant-based foods might be rich in zinc, the absorption of zinc is somewhat poor due to the presence of phytates. This means that even if vegans consume enough zinc in their food to meet or exceed the RDA for zinc, a deficiency may still occur, due to the low bioavailability of zinc. Thus, the needs of vegans are about 50% higher than omnivores.

What happens if you don’t get enough zinc?

Needed for over 100 different enzymatic reactions in the body, zinc deficiency is known to cause ¹:

• A decline in immune function
• Impaired or delayed wound healing
• Loss of appetite and taste abnormalities
• Hair loss

People at risk of zinc deficincieny include pregnant and lactating women, those with sickle cell disease and gastrointestinal disorders such as ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease, and short bowel syndrome. ¹

Where can you get zinc?

1. Vegetarian sources: Fish and seafood

2. Vegan sources: Oats, wheat germ, quinoa, brown rice, asparagus, broccoli, mushrooms, legumes, nuts and seeds

3. Supplement. If you are concerned about zinc deficiency, you can opt for a zinc supplement containing about 8mg of zinc – zinc gluconate and zinc citrate are two forms that are well-absorbed ⁵.

Tips to boost zinc absorption

• Toast nuts and seeds before consumption.
• Soak grains before cooking.
• Include some fermented foods and sprouted legumes in your weekly diet.

How much zinc do you need per day?¹

Men: 16 1/2mg
Women: 12mg

Protein

Dietary protein does much more than simply build your muscle mass – this macronutrient is involved in the production of new cells, neurotransmitters, hemoglobin, antibodies, enzymes and hormones. And it also maintains acid-base balance in the body.

Warning signs you’re not getting enough protein¹

• You feel sleepy at unusual times.
• You’re often irritated or depressed.
• Your usual daily activities or training become very tiring.
• You’ve lost muscle mass.
• You lose more hair than usual and your nails become brittle and break easily.
• You get sick or injured easily and you no longer recover quickly.

Good sources of protein

Plant-based diets are often associated with inadequate protein intake but it’s relatively easy to meet your needs without eating meat. And nope, you don’t need to worry about protein combination – simply eat a varied diet to get enough of the various types of essential amino acids.

Vegetarian sources: Milk and dairy products; eggs and fish.

Vegan sources: Legumes and pseudo-cereals (such as quinoa, buckwheat and amaranth). Grains such as rice, oats, millet or barley; seeds and green leafy veggies also contain protein.

How much protein do you need per day?¹

Adults: At least 0.8g per kg of body weight if you consume eggs and dairy products and at least 0.9g per kg if you’re a vegan.
Older adults: At least 1.0g per kg if well nourished.

Remember vegetarian and vegan diets are not magic bullets against diseases – a plant-based diet can only be as nutritious and healthy as the food choices you make.

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