Vitamin E status of US children.

Data from several national surveys consistently show that American children have lower than recommended intakes of vitamin E, which is reflected in lower than average serum levels. Reduction in dietary fat can further exacerbate the low vitamin E status of children. The consequences of low vitamin E intake may include impaired immune responses, as seen in a study of over 500 Canadian children. Low vitamin E status has been correlated with increased risk of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease, cancer, cataract and impaired immune responses in adult populations. Since early signs of chronic degenerative diseases of aging have been seen in autopsies of children, efforts should be made to ensure that prolonged low intakes of vitamin E are avoided in children as well as adults.     

Vitamin E status of US children.

Data from several national surveys consistently show that American children have lower than recommended intakes of vitamin E, which is reflected in lower than average serum levels. Reduction in dietary fat can further exacerbate the low vitamin E status of children. The consequences of low vitamin E intake may include impaired immune responses, as seen in a study of over 500 Canadian children. Low vitamin E status has been correlated with increased risk of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease, cancer, cataract and impaired immune responses in adult populations. Since early signs of chronic degenerative diseases of aging have been seen in autopsies of children, efforts should be made to ensure that prolonged low intakes of vitamin E are avoided in children as well as adults.     

Decline in infant mortality of Alaskan Yupik Eskimos from 1960 to 1980

A 1960-62 study of southwestern Alaskan Eskimos documented an infant mortality rate--102.6 deaths per 1,000 live births--that was four times greater than that of U.S. whites. In 1980-81, 20 years after the original study, a similar cohort was identified in this population so that changes in infant mortality and other birth characteristics could be examined. Average birth weight and the amount of prenatal care received by the mothers increased from 1960 to 1980. Birth weight and prenatal visits were positively correlated. Results of the followup also revealed a 1980-81 infant mortality rate--17.1 deaths per 1,000 live births--that was less than a fifth of the 1960-62 rate and no longer significantly different from the national rate. Major changes associated with the decrease in mortality during the first 28 days of life (neonatal mortality) were a significant increase in the proportion of infants born in hospitals and an associated decrease in the number of deaths of infants weighing less than 2,500 grams at birth. The reduction in mortality during the rest of the first year of life was related to a decrease in deaths due to infectious diseases, particularly measles and pertussis. Changes in infant mortality reflect the increased availability of health care in this region, improved immunization programs, and the establishment of the Bethel Prematernal Home in Bethel, AK.     

Vitamin E status in a normal population: the influence of age.

Plasma vitamin E levels and age have been positively correlated up to the sixth decade of life. Since antioxidants protect biomembranes in vivo against oxidative damage, it has been hypothesized that free radical scavengers such as vitamin E may have protective effects against aging. In the present study, plasma vitamin E and lipids were determined in 95 healthy volunteers [mean age (+/? S.D.) 55.9 +/? 24.5 yr]. Special attention was focused on vitamin E status in the elderly: 23 individuals were older than 80 years. A significant age effect (p less than 0.005) was observed for both vitamin E and cholesterol, both being increased in the middle-aged group (40-59 yr) and decreased in the elderly (greater than or equal to 80 yr). Since a high plasma cholesterol represents a major risk factor for ischemic heart disease, decreasing levels of plasma cholesterol with advancing age in a healthy population-sample appears to be the result of negative selection. Plasma vitamin E concentration was correlated (p less than 0.001) with total cholesterol, triglyceride, and total lipid. Since vitamin E is mainly transported by plasma lipoproteins, these strong correlations suggest that changes in vitamin E should be considered as an epiphenomenon of altered plasma transport capacity. The determination of plasma vitamin E is therefore a poor indicator of the real tissue vitamin E activity.     

Vitamin E status and its dietary determinants in Taiwanese

Summary.Background: A large proportion of Taiwanese are considered to have inadequate vitamin E intake according to Taiwanese RDA. Aim of the study: To evaluate the vitamin E status in Taiwan using biochemical indicators, and to examine the influences of dietary factors.Methods: The Nutrition and Health Survey in Taiwan 1993–1996 was conducted using a multi-stage sampling scheme. Data of 3614 subjects (1728 males, and 1886 females) aged 4 years and above were included in the current analysis.Results: Females had higher levels of serum -tocopherol than males. Serum level of -tocopherol significantly increased with age and blood lipids (p < 0.001). The prevalence rate of deficiency, assessed by the ratio of serum -tocopherol to cholesterol+triglyceride(TG) < 1.59 µmol/mmol, was 1.4 % for Taiwanese aged 4 and above. The prevalence was 1.02 % for adults. This biochemical profile was superior in women compared to men. The age-serum vitamin E status was U-shaped, being poorest in teenagers. Geographical variation in vitamin E/cholesterol+TG ratio was not apparent across regions. An association was observed between serum vitamin E status and frequency of vitamin E supplements, fresh fruits, and 100 % fruit juices. An association was also seen with dietary intakes of vitamin C and vitamin E assessed by 24-hour recall.Conclusion: The prevalence rate of vitamin E deficiency in Taiwan was low. An association was observed between serum vitamin E status and dietary vitamins E and C intakes either from foods or supplements.* Kang M.-J. and Lin Y.-C. contributed equally to the paper and are co-first authors     

Vitamin E status of young women on combined-type oral contraceptives

Differences in vitamin E status between young Caucasian women using oral contraceptives (OCs) for 1 yr or more and control females were obtained with regard to the following parameters: 1) hemolysis, 2) plasma total tocopherols by spectrophotometric analysis, 3) individual tocopherols by a thin-layer gas-liquid chromatographic (TLC-GLC) technique, and 4) dietary intakes of vitamin E, polyunsaturated and saturated lipids, cholesterol and kilocalories. Ten subjects were on Ortho-Novum- or Norinyl-1/50, 8 on Ortho-Novum- or Norinyl-1/80, and 10 had never taken OCs. Analyses of 24-hr recalls and 7-day dietary records revealed no significant differences among groups for intakes of nutrients listed above. No significant differences among groups were observed from hemolytic values. Plasma total tocopherol concentrations measured by spectrophotometric and TLC-GLC techniques revealed that OC-1/80 subjects had significantly lower values than controls. Marginally inadequate vitamin E status as assessed by the various techniques was observed in approximately one subject in the control and OC-1/50 groups and in 2 of the OC-1/80 women. Large individual variations in vitamin E status were observed for subjects in all groups on similar estimated vitamin E intakes. TLC-GLC measurements of total tocopherols in plasma seemed to be perhaps a more sensitive indicator of vitamin E status of subjects than spectrophotometric analysis of tocopherols.     

Vitamin E status of Congolese children in a rural area

The role of vitamin E in severe malnutrition is controversially discussed. In order to evaluate the vitamin E status of unselected African children the plasma tocopherol levels of 52 children from a village in the People's Republic of Congo were assessed by HPLC and related to the plasma lipid values. Although plasma concentrations of total tocopherols (mean 351.1 +/- 59.4 micrograms/dl) and alpha-tocopherol (mean 313.3 +/- 57.0 micrograms/dl) were found to be low, normal ratios of total tocopherols to total lipids (mean 0.99 +/- 0.17 mg/g) and alpha-tocopherol to total lipids (mean 0.89 +/- 0.09 mg/g) were estimated. It is concluded that plasma vitamin E levels should be related to plasma lipids if populations are monitored in which low lipid concentrations have to be expected. These data on Congolese children may be used for comparison if the vitamin E status in other agrogeographical areas of Africa or in clinically abnormal groups is investigated.     

Vitamin E status in patients on parenteral nutrition receiving Intralipid

Low vitamin E levels have been found to be a frequent side effect in patients on total parenteral nutrition (TPN). In the present study, the vitamin E content of fat emulsions (Intralipid) was measured and the influence of the intravenously administered lipid emulsion on plasma vitamin E levels was investigated. The majority of vitamin E was provided in the beta + gamma-tocopherol fractions (68.7% of total tocopherol). Vitamin E levels in patients were significantly lower (p less than 0.05) as compared to age- and sex-matched normal controls. Although sufficient amounts of vitamin E (16.9 +/- 0.8 IU daily) were infused, according to RDA requirements, E-plasma levels decreased even further during the course of TPN. It was concluded that high amounts of biologically less active tocopherol isomers are not sufficient to maintain vitamin E plasma levels. Supplemental sources of alpha-tocopherol are needed and more attention should be paid to the different tocopherol isomers in the quantitation of the daily allowances of vitamin E.     

Vitamin E content of foods.

Tables showing representative values for the vitamin E content of human foods have been developed from all the available reliable information. These tables cover animal products, plant products, fats and oils, baked products, infant foods, and mixed dishes. The effects on vitamin E content are discussed for heating and storage of dairy products, grains, vegetables, and plant oils; for the refining of plant oils; and for the processing and baking of grain products. Causes of variation in vitamin E levels are presented and the distribution of the different forms of vitamin E in foods is shown. The biologic activities of these forms are used to calculate approximate vitamin activity values of representative foods.     

Vitamin E status of the newborn in relation to gestational age, birth weight and maternal vitamin E status

1. Studies were made on the vitamin E status of the newborn as judged by cord serum vitamin E and erythrocyte haemolysis in vitro in relation to gestational age, birth weight and maternal vitamin E status in subjects belonging to low (LIG)- and high (HIG)-income groups in urban Baroda. 2. In the case of full-term infants, the mean values for maternal serum vitamin E (mg/l) for LIG (n 73) and HIG (n 43) were 9.9 (SE 0.4) and 11.6 (SE 0.5). The corresponding values for cord serum vitamin E were 3.6 (SE 0.2) and 4.6 (SE 0.2) mg/l. 3. Serum vitamin E levels (mg/l) were lower in premature infants (2.3 (SE 0.2); n 20) and low-birth-weight full-term infants (2.9 (SE 0.2); n 25) than in full-term normal infants (4.2 (SE 0.1); n 91). This was associated with differences in maternal serum vitamin E levels (7.4 (SE 0.5), 8.2 (SE 0.5) and 11.1 (SE 0.3) respectively). The differences were more marked for LIG. 4. A negative correlation was found between serum vitamin E and erythrocyte haemolysis in vitro in the case of maternal blood but not in cord blood. 5. These results suggest that maternal vitamin E deficiency is one of the features associated with prematurity and intra-uterine growth retardation.