Some Haematological and Haemostatic Indexes in Young Semi-vegetarians in Sub-Sahara Africa

Abstract

Background: The protective power of vegetarian diet against diseases is not a hype but there is a scarcity of information concerning the impact of semi-vegetarian meals on wellbeing, especially, in young adults living in Africa. Study Design: This study investigates the impact of semi-vegetarian diets on some haematological and haemostatic indexes in young semi-vegetarians in a Seventh day Adventist cohort in Nigeria. Results: Packed Cell Volume (PCV), and Hemoglobin concentration (HB) Platelet count (PLT), Prothrombin Time (PT), and Partial Thromboplastin Time (PTT)  of the subjects are significantly higher than that of the controls (P<0.05), Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR) is not significant in both groups, and Plasma Fibrinogen Concentration (PFC) is significantly lower in the subjects than in controls (P<0.05). Conclusion: Semi-vegetarian diets may have a positive impact on cardiovascular and hemostatic risk factors in young semi-vegetarians in Nigeria, and likely to be superior to omnivorous diets.