Dietary folate, vitamin B6, vitamin B12 and methionine intake and the risk of breast cancer by oestrogen and progesterone receptor status

Few studies have evaluated the relationship between the consumption of dietary folate and one-carbon metabolism-related nutrients and breast cancer risk defined by oestrogen receptor (ER) and progesterone receptor (PR) status. The objective of the present study was to examine the associations between dietary folate, vitamin B6, vitamin B12, and methionine intake and the risk of breast cancer by ER and PR status among Chinese women in Guangdong. A hospital-based case-control study was conducted from June 2007 to August 2008, with 438 cases and 438 age (5-year interval)- and residence (rural/urban)-matched controls. Dietary intake information was assessed using a validated FFQ administered through a face-to-face interview. Unconditional logistic regression models were used to calculate multivariate-adjusted OR and 95 % CI. A significant inverse association was found between dietary folate and vitamin B6 intake and breast cancer risk. The adjusted OR of the highest v. the lowest quartile were 0·32 (95 % CI 0·21, 0·49; P(trend) < 0·001) for dietary folate and 0·46 (95 % CI 0·30, 0·69; P(trend) < 0·001) for vitamin B6. No associations were observed for vitamin B12 and methionine intake. A significant inverse association between dietary folate intake and breast cancer risk was observed in all subtypes of ER and PR status. These findings suggest that dietary folate and vitamin B6 intakes were inversely associated with breast cancer risk. The inverse association did not differ by ER and/or PR status.     

Nutrient intake and vitamin status of healthy French vegetarians and nonvegetarians

The status of thiamin, riboflavin, folate, and vitamins B-6, B-12, C, A, D, and E was investigated in 37 middle-aged and healthy French vegetarians by means of a dietary survey and biochemical studies. Values were compared with those of a group of nonvegetarians. Unsatisfactory intakes of vitamin B-6 were observed: vitamin B-6 intake as a percentage of the French Recommended Dietary Allowances was approximately 66% for vegetarians and approximately 58% for nonvegetarians. Vegetarians had a higher mean intake of thiamin, riboflavin, and vitamins C, A, D, and E than did nonvegetarians. Vegetarians did not have a higher risk rate for a biochemical vitamin deficiency of thiamin, riboflavin, folates, and vitamins B-6, C, A, and E than the nonvegetarians. The percentage of subjects assessed as abnormal by blood vitamin concentrations was higher in vegetarians for vitamin B-12 (serum vitamin B-12) and vitamin D, which indicated a higher risk for a deficiency of vitamins B-12 and D in this group.     

Micronutrient dilution associated with added sugar intake in elderly black South African women

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the association between added sugar and macronutrient and micronutrient intakes, and to assess whether added sugar intake is related to biochemical indices of nutritional status, Mini-Nutritional Assessment (MNA) score, body mass index (BMI) and performance on physical function tests. DESIGN: A cross-sectional, analytical study. SETTING AND SUBJECTS: Convenient sample of 285 institutionalised and community-dwelling black South African men and women aged 60+ y. METHODS: An interviewer-administered 24-h dietary recall and MNA were performed. Serum albumin, vitamin B12, ferritin, cholesterol, haemoglobin, red blood cell (RBC) folate and plasma vitamin C were measured. Handgrip strength, BMI, 'sit-to-stand' and 'get-up-and-go' tests were measured. Outcome variables were analysed according to tertiles of added sugar, in grams and as a percentage of total energy (% E). RESULTS: In each tertile of sugar intake, mean MNA score fell in the 'at-risk' classification. In women, energy, protein, % E protein, fibre, thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, vitamin B6, folate, pantothenic acid, biotin, vitamin C, calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, zinc, copper and selenium intake were significantly lowest in subjects in the highest % E sugar tertile. In men, no differences were found for micronutrient intake according to tertiles of total added sugar or % E added sugar. Physical function declined with increasing sugar intake, and suboptimal RBC folate and plasma ascorbic acid status was associated with increasing sugar intake (in women). No relationship was found between added sugar intake and the very high prevalence (65%) of obesity in women. CONCLUSION: A nutrient-diluting effect of added sugars intake was demonstrated in elderly black South African women. Further studies in this population are required in order to develop food-based dietary guidelines, which include messages on added sugar intake.     

The B-vitamin content of baboon (Papio cynocephalus) milk.

1. The B-vitamins in milk from baboons (Papio cynocephalus) at various stages of lactation were measured microbiologically. 2. Mature milk contained, on average (microgram/ml): thiamin 0.18 riboflavin 0.74, nicotinic acid 3.2, folate 0.03, vitamin B6 0.70 vitamin B12 0.002, pantothenic acid 2.63, biotin 0.0065. 3. Colostrum contained much less vitamin B6 and pantothenic acid than mature milk; otherwise, there were only slight changes in composition as lactation progressed. Neither these changes, nor the absolute values, resembled those for human or cow's milk. 4. The average daily secretion of B-vitamins in milk represented less than 10% of the mother's dietary intake; that of folate was less than 0.5% of the mother's dietary intake. 5. Baboon milk was calculated to provide infants with approximately the following quantities of B-vitamins (/d): thiamin 0.06 mg, riboflavin 0.25 mg, nicotinic acid 1.1 mg, folate 10 microgram, vitamin B6 0.25 mg, vitamin B12 0.7 microgram, pantothenic acid 0.9 mg, biotin 2.2 microgram.     

Dietary intake of B(6-9-12) vitamins, serum homocysteine levels and their association with depressive symptoms: the Zutphen Elderly Study

OBJECTIVE: Low B-vitamin status and high levels of serum homocysteine are found in depressed inpatients, but results of population-based studies of this association are inconclusive. We investigated whether a low dietary intake of B(6-9-12) vitamins and high levels of serum homocysteine are associated with depressive symptoms in elderly men. METHODS: The study sample included a total of 332 men aged 70-90 years who were free from cardiovascular diseases and diabetes at baseline in 1990. Depressive symptoms were measured with the Zung Self-rating Depression Scale at baseline in 1990 and dietary factors with the crosscheck dietary history method in 1985 and 1990. Serum levels of homocysteine were obtained in 1985. Multiple linear and logistic regression analyses were performed. RESULTS: Dietary intake of folate (-1.19, 95% CI -2.03; -0.36) and vitamin B(6) (-2.09, 95% CI -2.92; -1.26) per standard deviation increase was associated with lower levels of serum homocysteine, while vitamin B(12) was not associated with serum homocysteine. Intake of folate, vitamin B(6), vitamin B(12) and levels of serum homocysteine were not related to depressive symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: Our results do not support the hypothesis that a low dietary intake of B(6-9-12) vitamins and high levels of serum homocysteine are related to depression in healthy elderly men.     

Association between dietary folate intake and blood status of folate and homocysteine in Malaysian adults

Folate is of prime interest among investigators in nutrition due to its multiple roles in maintaining health, especially in preventing neural tube defects and reducing the risk of cardiovascular diseases. We investigated the effect of dietary folate intake on blood folate, vitamin B(12), vitamin B(6), and homocysteine status. One hundred subjects consisting of Chinese and Malay subjects volunteered to participate in this cross-sectional study. Dietary folate intake was assessed by 24-h dietary recall and a food-frequency questionnaire (FFQ). Serum and red blood cell folate were analyzed using a microbiological assay, while serum vitamin B(12) was determined by electrochemiluminescence immunoassay (ECLIA), and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was used for the determination of serum vitamin B(6) and homocysteine. The mean folate intake, serum folate, RBC folate, serum vitamin B(12), and B(6), were higher in female subjects, with the exception of serum homocysteine. The Chinese tended to have higher folate intake, serum folate, RBC folate, and vitamin B(12). A positive association was found between folate intake and serum folate while a negative association was found between folate intake and serum homocysteine. Stepwise linear regression of serum folate showed a significant positive coefficient for folate intake whilst a significant negative coefficient was found for serum homocysteine when controlling for age, gender, and ethnicity. In conclusion, high dietary folate intake helps to increase serum folate and to lower the homocysteine levels.     

Dietary Intake of Folate,Vitamin B2, Vitamin B6, Vitamin B12, Genetic Polymorphism of Related Enzymes,and Risk of Breast Cancer: A Case-Control Study in Japan

We investigated associations among intake of folate, vitamin B2, vitamin B6, vitamin B12, and polymorphisms of 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) and methionine synthase (MTR) genes and breast cancer risk in a Japanese population. A hospital based, case-control study was conducted in Nagano Prefecture, Japan, in 388 pairs of patients with histologically confirmed invasive breast cancer and age- and area-matched controls selected from medical checkup examinees. Energy-adjusted intakes of folate and other B vitamins were derived from a validated food frequency questionnaire. Genotyping was completed for MTHFR (C677T and A1298T) and MTR (A2756G). Odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals were calculated by the conditional logistical regression model. Median dietary folate intake (μg/day) in the control group was 438.2 (interquartile range: 354.9–542.9). Neither dietary intake of folate, vitamin B2, vitamin B6, or vitamin B12 nor polymorphisms of MTHFR or MTR genes were significantly associated with breast cancer risk. Further, no significant interaction was found among nutrients, polymorphisms, and breast cancer risk. Associations of nutrients with breast cancer risk did not differ by hormone receptors status. We conclude that dietary intake of folate and related B vitamins and genotypes of MTHFR or MTR have no overall association with breast cancer risk in Japanese women.     

Icosanoid synthesis as a functional measurement of essential fatty acid requirement.

To assess the need for postoperative vitamin supplements, intakes and nutritional status of thiamin (B1) and vitamin B6 were studied in 18 female gastroplasty patients who received a placebo or different levels of supplemental vitamins. Postoperative erythrocyte transketolase basal (BA) and thiamin pyrophosphate-stimulated (SA) activities and activity coefficients (AC) correlated significantly with B1 intake. Despite a decrease in apotransketolase, low thiamin intakes were associated with increased AC values during the first 3 months. With return to low B1 intakes following repletion during month 4, the AC values remained normal with low total activities. Both alanine (EALT) and aspartate (EAST) aminotransferase apoenzyme levels declined and AC values increased significantly during the first 3 months. Although the EALT-indices were more sensitive to changes in B6 intake than the EAST-indices, the EASTBA and SA correlated most consistently with the intake. Postoperative dietary intakes of both vitamins were inadequate for maintenance of normal activities of these erythrocyte enzymes. Although B1 intake of greater than or equal to 1.0 mg/day was adequate for maintenance of normal thiamin status in most subjects of this study, supplementation with greater than or equal to 1.5 mg/day is prudent even though it may not prevent the early postoperative loss of apotransketolase. Vitamin B6 intake at the current recommended dietary allowance (1.6 mg) was not adequate to maintain coenzyme saturation of the erythrocyte aminotransferases. Marginal intake of other nutrients may have affected the utilization of both thiamin and vitamin B6.     

Thiamin and vitamin B6 intakes and erythrocyte transketolase and aminotransferase activities in morbidly obese females before and after gastroplasty.

To assess the need for postoperative vitamin supplements, intakes and nutritional status of thiamin (B1) and vitamin B6 were studied in 18 female gastroplasty patients who received a placebo or different levels of supplemental vitamins. Postoperative erythrocyte transketolase basal (BA) and thiamin pyrophosphate-stimulated (SA) activities and activity coefficients (AC) correlated significantly with B1 intake. Despite a decrease in apotransketolase, low thiamin intakes were associated with increased AC values during the first 3 months. With return to low B1 intakes following repletion during month 4, the AC values remained normal with low total activities. Both alanine (EALT) and aspartate (EAST) aminotransferase apoenzyme levels declined and AC values increased significantly during the first 3 months. Although the EALT-indices were more sensitive to changes in B6 intake than the EAST-indices, the EASTBA and SA correlated most consistently with the intake. Postoperative dietary intakes of both vitamins were inadequate for maintenance of normal activities of these erythrocyte enzymes. Although B1 intake of greater than or equal to 1.0 mg/day was adequate for maintenance of normal thiamin status in most subjects of this study, supplementation with greater than or equal to 1.5 mg/day is prudent even though it may not prevent the early postoperative loss of apotransketolase. Vitamin B6 intake at the current recommended dietary allowance (1.6 mg) was not adequate to maintain coenzyme saturation of the erythrocyte aminotransferases. Marginal intake of other nutrients may have affected the utilization of both thiamin and vitamin B6.     

Influence of Nutritonal Intake on 6-Year Mortality in an Italian Elderly Population

Many observations agree on the existence, in older ages, of nutritional deficiencies secondary to dietary intake. This study investigated to what extent dietary intake of calories, protein, iron and vitamins influences the 6-year mortality in an elderly population living at home. To prevent the confounding effect of non-dietary factors, such as gender, functional and health status, socioeconomic conditions and health risk habits, these variable have also been considered. The dietary intake was calculated comparing the content of nutrients in self-reported, 24-hour diet, with the 1980 Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDA) obtaining a percentage for each nutrient. The percentage difference from the RDA was tested on 6-year mortality using a bivariate regression model. The intake of protein, vitamin A, thiamin, niacin, vitamin Bg and folate was significantly related to mortality: subjects with a lower dietary intake of those nutrients had a higher risk of death. When nutrient intake was tested in a multiple regression model, adjusted for non-dietary potential confounders, only folate was an independent predictor of mortality. This study shows that most of the dietary nutrient's intake is related to socioeconomic and physical factors.     

Effect of a voluntary food fortification policy on folate, related B vitamin status, and homocysteine in healthy adults

BACKGROUND: Mandatory folic acid fortification of food is effective in reducing neural tube defects and may even reduce stroke-related mortality, but it remains controversial because of concerns about potential adverse effects. Thus, it is virtually nonexistent in Europe, albeit many countries allow food fortification on a voluntary basis. OBJECTIVE: The objective of the study was to examine the effect of a voluntary but liberal food fortification policy on dietary intake and biomarker status of folate and other homocysteine-related B vitamins in a healthy population. DESIGN: The study was a cross-sectional study. From a convenience sample of 662 adults in Northern Ireland, those who provided a fasting blood sample and dietary intake data were examined (n = 441, aged 18-92 y). Intakes of both natural food folate and folic acid from fortified foods were estimated; we used the latter to categorize participants by fortified food intake. RESULTS: Fortified foods were associated with significantly higher dietary intakes and biomarker status of folate, vitamin B-12, vitamin B-6, and riboflavin than were unfortified foods. There was no difference in natural food folate intake (range: 179-197 microg/d) between the fortified food categories. Red blood cell folate concentrations were 387 nmol/L higher and plasma total homocysteine concentrations were 2 micromol/L lower in the group with the highest fortified food intake (median intake: 208 microg/d folic acid) than in the nonconsumers of fortified foods (0 microg/d folic acid). CONCLUSIONS: These results show that voluntary food fortification is associated with a substantial increase in dietary intake and biomarker status of folate and metabolically related B vitamins with potential beneficial effects on health. However, those who do not consume fortified foods regularly may have insufficient B vitamin status to achieve the known and potential health benefits.     

Thiamin,riboflavin and vitamin B6: impact of restricted intake on physical performance in man.

A combined marginally deficient status of thiamin, riboflavin, vitamin B6 and vitamin C may affect physical performance, but the relative contribution of each vitamin can only be speculated. In a previous study we did not find any effect of restricted intake of vitamin C individually. Therefore, the functional effect of restriction of thiamin, riboflavin or vitamin B6, individually or in conjunction, was investigated.

A double-blind, 2 × 2 × 2 complete factorial experiment on the effects of thiamin, riboflavin and vitamin B6 restriction on physical performance was executed with 24 healthy men. During 11 weeks of low vitamin intake, the subjects were given a daily diet of regular food products providing no more than 55% of the Dutch Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDA) for thiamin, riboflavin and vitamin B6. Other vitamins were supplemented at twice the RDA level.

In vitamin-restricted subjects, blood vitamin levels, erythrocytic enzyme activities and urinary vitamin excretion decreased and in vitro erythrocytic enzyme stimulation increased. Short-time vitamin restriction had no harmful effects on health. A significant overall decrease was observed in aerobic power (VO2-max; 11.6%), onset of blood lactate accumulation (OBLA; 7.0%) and oxygen consumption at this power output (VO2-OBLA; 12.0%), peak power (9.3%), mean power (6.9%) and related variables (p < 0.01). However, the observed performance decrements could not be attributed to marginal deficiency for any of the vitamins studied.

The absence of vitamin-specific effects on performance decrements due to thiamin, riboflavin and vitamin B6 restriction suggests quantitatively similar but non-additive effects of these B-vitamins on mitochondrial metabolism.     

Associations between B Vitamins and Parkinson’s Disease

B vitamins may correlate with Parkinson’s disease (PD) through regulating homocysteine level. However, there is no comprehensive assessment on the associations between PD and B vitamins. The present study was designed to perform a meta-analytic assessment of the associations between folate, vitamin B6, and vitamin B12 and PD, including the status of B vitamins in PD patients compared with controls, and associations of dietary intakes of B vitamins and risk of PD. A literature search using Medline database obtained 10 eligible studies included in the meta-analyses. Stata 12.0 statistical software was used to perform the meta-analysis. Pooled data revealed that there was no obvious difference in folate level between PD patients and healthy controls, and PD patients had lower level of vitamin B12 than controls. Available data suggested that higher dietary intake of vitamin B6 was associated with a decreased risk of PD (odds ratio (OR) = 0.65, 95% confidence intervals (CI) = (0.30, 1.01)), while no significant association was observed for dietary intake of folate and vitamin B12 and risk of PD. PD patients had lower level of vitamin B12 and similar level of folate compared with controls. Dietary intake of vitamin B6 exhibited preventive effect of developing PD based on the available data. As the number of included studies is limited, more studies are needed to confirm the findings and elucidate the underpinning underlying these associations.     

Nutritional status of institutionalized and noninstitutionalized aged in Belfast, Northern Ireland.

A multifaceted analysis of the nutritional status of 196 subjects, aged over 65, institutionalized in hospitals, residential accomodation, and sheltered dwellings and of noninstituionalized subjects was untaken. Subjects of hospital and home, with or without multivitamin supplementation, were grouped separately. The study comprised of 3-day weighed dietary record, biochemical determinations, and clinical examination. The energy intake of females of hospitals and sheltered dwellings was comparatively low. Dietary nutrients most lacking were potassium, magnesium, vitamin D, and vitamin B6. Calcium and vitamin A intake were adequate. Clinical deficiency was rare. Subclinical deficiency was highly prevalent and the deficiency incidence was: anemia 18.6%, ascorbic acid 29.2%, thiamin 13.8%, riboflavin 7.1%, vitamin B6 42.3%, and vitamin D 47.0%. Some kind of mineral or vitamin deficiency was observed biochemically in 91.3% of the nonmultivitamin supplemented group and 64.3% of the multivitamin supplemented group. Regular intake of multivitamin raised the blood levels of riboflavin and ascorbic acid to normal in all, but failed to raise the thiamin and vitamin B6 levels to the normal acceptable levels in 2.9 and 20% of the subjects, respectively. Suggestions are made concerning possibly higher recommended allowance.     

Intakes of Folate,Vitamin B6, and Vitamin B12 in Relation to All-Cause and Cause-Specific Mortality: A National Population-Based Cohort

The evidence regarding the intake of dietary folate, vitamin B6, and vitamin B12 in relation to mortality in the general population is limited. This study aimed to examine the relationship between dietary intakes of folate, vitamin B6, and vitamin B12 in relation to all-cause and cause-specific mortality in a large U.S. cohort. This study included a total of 55,569 adults from the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES III) and NHANES 1999–2014. Vital data were determined by linking with the National Death Index records through 31 December 2015. Cox proportional hazards models were used to investigate the relationships of all-cause and cause-specific mortality with dietary folate, vitamin B6, and vitamin B12 intake. Dietary intakes of folate and vitamin B6 were inversely associated with mortality from all-cause, cardiovascular disease, and cancer for men and with mortality from all-cause and cardiovascular disease for women. In men, the multivariable hazard ratios (95% confidence intervals) for the highest versus lowest quintiles of folate and vitamin B6 were 0.77 (0.71–0.85) and 0.79 (0.71–0.86) for all-cause mortality, 0.59 (0.48–0.72) and 0.69 (0.56–0.85) for CVD mortality, and 0.68 (0.56–0.84) and 0.73 (0.60–0.90) for cancer mortality, respectively. Among women, the multivariable hazard ratios (95% confidence intervals) for the highest versus lowest quintiles of folate and vitamin B6 were 0.86 (0.78–0.95) and 0.88 (0.80–0.97) for all-cause mortality and 0.53 (0.41–0.69) and 0.56 (0.44–0.73) for CVD mortality, respectively. No significant associations between dietary vitamin B12 and all-cause and cause-specific mortality were observed. In conclusion, higher dietary intakes of folate and vitamin B6 were significantly associated with lower all-cause and cardiovascular mortality. Our findings suggest that increasing the intake of folate and vitamin B6 may lower the mortality risk among U.S. adults.     

Depression and Vegetarians: Association between Dietary Vitamin B6, B12 and Folate Intake and Global and Subcortical Brain Volumes

Deficiency of vitamin B6 and vitamin B12, mostly in vegetarians, is found to be associated with depression and adverse neurological function. We investigated whether vitamin B6, B12, and folate have an effect on brain structure, especially among depressed people who follow a specific diet. The study sample comprised 9426 participants from the UK Biobank cohort with a mean age of 62.4 years. A generalized linear model controlling for age, sex, body mass index, ethnicity, town send deprivation index, educational qualification, smoking, and alcohol intake was used to test the association between study groups and structural brain volumes. Depression was more prevalent, and intake of vitamin B6 and B12 was lower among vegetarians, while non-vegetarians had a lower intake of folate. Overall, no significant association was observed between vitamin B6, B12, and folate intakes and both global and subcortical brain volumes among participants with depression. However, vitamin B12 intake was positively associated with right pallidum among non-depressed participants, and a significant interaction between vitamin B12 intake and depression status on the right pallidum was observed. Also, a significant interaction between folate intake and depression status on grey matter (GM) volume and left thalamus was observed. Upon diet stratification, folate intake is associated with total brain volume and GM volume among vegetarians with depression. Furthermore, no significant associations were observed for subcortical regions. Our findings suggest that dietary intake of vitamin B6 and B12 might have an effect on brain structure. Vegetarians, particularly those who suffer from depression may benefit from supplementing their diets with vitamins B6, B12, and folate to ensure brain health. Further studies, especially with a larger sample size and longitudinal design, are needed to confirm these findings.     

Vitamin intake of 3- to 36-month-old German infants and children--results of the DONALD-Study.

Infants and young children are a vulnerable group with regard to nutrition. However, there is a lack of information about the dietary composition of healthy German infants and children. Therefore, the intake of vitamins (A, C, E, B1, B2, B6, folate, niacin) was assessed in 354 healthy German infants and children aged 3 to 36 months from 3-day-weighed diet records and compared with German, European and US reference values. Intake of all B-vitamins (B1, B2, B6, folate, niacin) increased during the first 3 years of life, whereas intake of vitamin E decreased. Intake of vitamin A and C varied between age groups. The highest levels of the nutrient densities of most vitamins were found at the end of the first year of life. Depending on the reference values chosen, the vitamin supply of the study population ranged between sufficient and very good. The reported satisfactory intake of vitamins in infants and young children in this study gives rise to the question of whether the current extent of fortification of commercial infant food in Germany is necessary.     

Vitamin profile of 563 gravidas during trimesters of pregnancy

OBJECTIVE: Gestation imposes metabolic stress on the mother which heightens as pregnancy progresses. The need for quantifying circulating vitamins is important for identifying pitfalls in metabolic imbalance and nutritional status. For this reason we wanted to analyze blood vitamin concentrations of B12, thiamin, biotin, pantothenate, B6, niacin, riboflavin, folate, vitamins A, C, E and total carotenes to determine if imbalances occur during the trimesters of pregnancy. METHODS: We randomly selected 563 gravidas who volunteered for this study from the obstetrical clinic of New Jersey Medical School; 132 were in 1st trimester, 198 were in 2nd trimester, and 233 were in 3rd trimester. All were healthy, taking a good diet and supplemented with vitamins. Blood, from an antecubital vein, was analyzed for thiamin, biotin, B12, B6, pantothenate, riboflavin, nicotinate, folates, vitamins A, E, C and total carotenes. Gravidas were classified as being normovitaminemic, hypervitaminemic or hypovitaminemic compared with blood vitamins seen in healthy non-pregnant, non-vitamin supplemented women. RESULT: Hypervitaminemic levels of folate, biotin, pantothenate and riboflavin were found during any trimester of pregnancy due to vitamin supplementation. Despite the vitamin supplementation, a high percent of vitamin A, B6, niacin. thiamin and B 12 hypovitaminemia was noted during pregnancy trimesters. An especially high percentage of niacin deficiency was seen during the 1st trimester; it worsened in later trimesters; B12 deficits increased during the late trimesters. Combination deficits of niacin, thiamin, vitamins A, B6, B12 were noted in each of the trimesters. CONCLUSIONS: Despite vitamin supplementation, a vitamin profile of pregnancy indicates that vitamin deficits exist during the trimesters. Also, combination hypovitaminemias of deficient vitamins were noted; this indicates that a vitamin deficit during pregnancy does not occur in isolation.     

Effect of oral contraceptive agents on nutrients: II. Vitamins.

Clinical, biochemical and nutritional data were collected from a large population of women using oral contraceptive agents. Higher incidence of abnormal clinical signs related to malnutrition were observed in the lower (B) as compared to the higher (A) socioeconomic groups, and also in the nonsupplemented groups as compared to the supplemented groups in the B subjects. As a rule the intake of oral contraceptive agent subjects of vitamin A, C, B6 and folic acid did not differ from that of the controls As expected, subjects from the supplemented groups had higher intake of vitamin A, C, B6, thiamin, riboflavin and folic acid, and A groups had higher intake of vitamin C, B6, riboflavin and folic acid. Increased plasma vitamin A and decreased carotene levels were observed in oral contraceptive agent users. In general oral contraceptive agents had little or no effect on plasma ascorbic acid. Urinary excretion of both thiamin and riboflavin in subjects using oral contraceptive agents were lower in A groups. Erythrocyte folate and plasma pyridoxal phosphate was decreased in A groups due to oral contraceptive agents. Subjects who took supplements had higher levels of plasma vitamin A, ascorbic acid and folate. But urinary thiamin and riboflavin were higher only in group A subjects who took supplements.