Nutritional imbalances in a Mexican vegan group: urgent need for country-specific dietary guidelines / Desequilibrios nutricionales en un grupo mexicano de veganos: necesidad de guías alimentarias para cada país

Introduction: vegan diets exclude the consumption of animal-derived products, and health advantages have been reported when followed. However, heterogeneous eating habits, food availability, and sociocultural characteristics among regions could lead to different physiological results Case reports: twelve patients following a strict vegan diet for an uninterrupted period of ≥ 3 years were subjected to clinical assessment. Patients significantly exceeded the suggested intake for sugar, presented six mineral deficiencies, and exhibited three vitamins below the recommended consumption. We further identified hyperglycemia, hypertriglyceridemia, subnormal serum vitamin B12 concentrations, as well as macrocytosis and microcytic anemia in several participants. Discussion: this Mexican vegan diet is strongly influenced by endemic and cultural adaptations that could limit the benefits reported in other populations. Professional guidance is required to avoid specific deficiencies with potential repercussions. We urge country-specific vegan guidelines considering local eating habits, food availability, and sociocultural perspectives around food (AU)

Introducción: la dieta vegana excluye el consumo de productos de origen animal y se ha vinculado con una disminución del riesgo de morbimortalidad. Sin embargo, los distintos hábitos alimentarios entre países podrían condicionar los beneficios reportados para las dietas basadas en vegetales. Casos clínicos: doce pacientes siguiendo una estricta dieta vegana por ≥ 3 años se sometieron a una evaluación clínica. Exhibieron una ingestión de azúcar que supera el consumo sugerido, presentaron tres deficiencias vitamínicas y seis de minerales. Se identificó la presencia de hiperglucemia, hipertrigliceridemia, concentraciones séricas subnormales de vitamina B12, macrocitosis y anemia microcítica en varios participantes. Discusión: la dieta vegana de este grupo resultó fuertemente influenciada por adaptaciones culturales que podrían limitar los beneficios reportados en otras poblaciones. Se requiere orientación profesional para evitar desequilibrios nutricionales. Enfatizamos la necesidad del desarrollo de guías alimentarias y de práctica clínica que consideren los hábitos alimentarios locales, la disponibilidad de alimentos en la región y las perspectivas socioculturales en torno a la dieta vegana (AU)

Organochlorine Pesticides and Potentially Toxic Elements in Groundwater from a Protected Reserve in the Maya Region of Hopelchen, Mexico.

Water quality degradation by organochlorine pesticides and potentially toxic elements is of worldwide concern. This research explores groundwater conditions, regarding organochlorine pesticides and potentially toxic elements, in Hopelchen, Campeche, which is located in the buffer zone of the Calakmul Biosphere Reserve. Unfortunately, agriculture is allowed and agrochemical use is not monitored and sanctioned. Results show that Heptachlor, Endosulfan, and Dieldrin, all recognized carcinogens, had concentrations above the Mexican normative recommended values. Conversely, Cd and Ni concentrations were below recommended values. These results demonstrate that government intervention involving immediate control over agrochemical use is mandatory. Also, the results underscore the contamination of groundwater in several of the Calakmul Biosphere Reserve's buffer zones by organochlorine pesticides concentrations, posing a probable threat for local inhabitants who consume this water and use it for recreation.