Dr. Maryanne Perrin received new funding from East Carolina University (ECU) for the project “Vegetarian Nutrition Dietetic Practice Group Research Grant Award.” Individuals consuming a vegetarian or vegan diet are at risk of having inadequate intake of B-12, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) due to dietary restriction. These in turn may lead to low levels of Brain Derived Neutotrophic Factor (BDNF), a protein that promotes the growth and development of nerve cells. Evidence suggests that the breast milk from women consuming a vegetarian diet is lower in the essential vitamin, B-12, than the breast milk of women consuming an omnivorous diet. This project will assess B-12, EPA, DHA, and BDNF in the breast milk of women consuming a vegan (n=25), vegetarians (n=25), and unrestricted diet (n=25) to help inform dietary advice given to lactating women.
Dr. Mayanne Perrin receives funding for “Vegetarian Nutrition Dietetic Practice Group Research Grant Award”
Posted on February 21, 2017
