Essential and long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid status and fatty acid composition of breast milk of lactating adolescents

The aims of the present study were to evaluate essential fatty acids (EFA) and long-chain PUFA (LCPUFA) status in lactating adolescents and its association with breast milk composition. Healthy nursing adolescents from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (n 30; 14-19 years; 30-120 d postpartum), exclusively or predominantly breast-feeding, participated in this study. Breast milk and blood samples were collected after overnight fasting. Fatty acid composition of breast milk, erythrocyte membrane (EM) and plasma NEFA were determined by GC. Indices of fatty acid status (mean melting point (MMP); EFA status index; DHA status indices, 22 : 5n-6:22 : 4n-6 and 22 : 6n-3:22 : 5n-6 ratios) were calculated from EM fatty acid composition. Dietary intake of n-3 fatty acids was low when compared with current recommendations for lactating women. MMP was associated with indices of DHA status, some individual fatty acids in EM and years post-menarche and weeks postpartum, suggesting the use of erythrocyte MMP as a possible comprehensive biochemical marker of LCPUFA status in this physiological condition. The DHA status of lactating adolescents and their milk DHA concentrations were similar to the values of Brazilian lactating adults, but lower compared with the values of lactating adults from other countries. Therefore, these lactating adolescents were apparently not disadvantaged, as compared with the Brazilian adults, when EM and breast milk fatty acid composition were considered. In general, PUFA in milk from adolescents presented few associations with their concentrations in plasma NEFA and with maternal status. However, milk DHA was associated with maternal LCPUFA and DHA states.     

Relationship between vitamin E requirement and polyunsaturated fatty acid intake in man: a review

Vitamin E is the general term for all tocopherols and tocotrienols, of which alpha-tocopherol is the natural and biologically most active form. Although gamma-tocopherol makes a significant contribution to the vitamin E CONTENT in foods, it is less effective in animal and human tissues, where alpha-tocopherol is the most effective chain-breaking lipid-soluble antioxidant. The antioxidant function of vitamin E is critical for the prevention of oxidation of tissue PUFA. Animal experiments have shown that increasing the degree of dietary fatty acid unsaturation increases the peroxidizability of the lipids and reduces the time required to develop symptoms of vitamin E deficiency. From these experiments, relative amounts of vitamin E required to protect the various fatty acids from being peroxidized, could be estimated. Since systematic studies on the vitamin E requirement in relation to PUFA consumption have not been performed in man, recommendations for vitamin E intake are based on animal experiments and human food intake data. An intake of 0.6 mg alpha-tocopherol equivalents per gram linoleic acid is generally seen as adequate for human adults. The minimum vitamin E requirement at consumption of fatty acids with a higher degree of unsaturation can be calculated by a formula, which takes into account the peroxidizability of unsaturated fatty acids and is based on the results of animal experiments. There are, however, no clear data on the vitamin E requirement of humans consuming the more unsaturated fatty acids as for instance EPA (20:5, n-3) and DHA (22:6, n-3). Studies investigating the effects of EPA and DHA supplementation have shown an increase in lipid peroxidation, although amounts of vitamin E were present that are considered adequate in relation to the calculated oxidative potential of these fatty acids. Furthermore, a calculation of the vitamin E requirement, using recent nutritional intake data, shows that a reduction in total fat intake with a concomitant increase in PUFA consumption, including EPA and DHA, will result in an increased amount of vitamin E required. In addition, the methods used in previous studies investigating vitamin E requirement and PUFA consumption (for instance erythrocyte hemolysis), and the techniques used to assess lipid peroxidation (e.g. MDA analysis), may be unsuitable to establish a quantitative relation between vitamin E intake and consumption of highly unsaturated fatty acids. Therefore, further studies are required to establish the vitamin E requirement when the intake of longer-chain, more-unsaturated fatty acids is increased. For this purpose it is necessary to use functional techniques based on the measurement of lipid peroxidation in vivo. Until these data are available, the widely used ratio of at least 0.6 mg alpha-TE/g PUFA is suggested. Higher levels may be necessary, however, for fats that are rich in fatty acids containing more than two double bonds.     

Perspectives on alcohol consumption: liver polyunsaturated fatty acids and essential fatty acid metabolism.

In this article, subjects diagnosed with alcoholic liver disease are shown to have lower concentrations of several polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), including 18:2n6, 18:3n6, 20:3n6, 18:3n3, 22:5n3, and 22:6n3, but not 20:4n6 and 22:4n6, nor 22:5n6, in the total lipid extracts of their livers compared with findings for specimens obtained from patients diagnosed with primary biliary cirrhosis and from control subjects. Findings of studies in animals have demonstrated that prolonged alcohol consumption reduces liver polyunsaturate content. However, the effect of ethanol on the elongation/desaturation of essential fatty acids is complex, as in vitro study results indicate that the direction of the effect of alcohol may be related to the dose of alcohol. Findings of studies in hepatocyte cell culture indicate that ethanol increased delta-5 and delta-6 desaturase activities throughout a broad concentration range. In contrast, lower liver desaturase activity has been reported in animals consuming high concentrations of alcohol (36%-40% energy) over a period of several months. Findings from in vivo isotope tracers studies in nonhuman primates and felines indicate that prolonged periods of moderate (mean consumption 2.6 g kg(-1) d(-1) and 1.2 g kg(-1) d(-1), respectively) alcohol consumption had no effect on the uptake of either linoleic (18:2n6) or alpha-linolenic (18:3n3) acids into the plasma and lead to an increased incorporation of these deuterated precursors into 20:4n6 and 22:6n3. Thus, this likely reflects a stimulated, rather than an inhibited, production of long-chain PUFAs. In numerous studies in various species, investigators have documented that alcohol consumption can increase the level of lipid peroxidation in tissues, and sustained periods of ethanol-induced peroxidation can deplete tissues of PUFAs. A hypothesis to rationalize the long-term effects of alcohol consumption on liver PUFA concentration that takes into consideration the effect of ethanol on essential fatty acid metabolism is presented.     

Effect of alpha-linolenic acid supplementation during pregnancy on maternal and neonatal polyunsaturated fatty acid status and pregnancy outcome

BACKGROUND: Maternal essential fatty acid status declines during pregnancy, and as a result, neonatal concentrations of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, 22:6n-3) and arachidonic acid (AA, 20:4n-6) may not be optimal. OBJECTIVE: Our objective was to improve maternal and neonatal fatty acid status by supplementing pregnant women with a combination of alpha-linolenic acid (ALA, 18:3n-3) and linoleic acid (LA, 18:2n-6), the ultimate dietary precursors of DHA and AA, respectively. DESIGN: From week 14 of gestation until delivery, pregnant women consumed daily 25 g margarine supplying either 2.8 g ALA + 9.0 g LA (n = 29) or 10.9 g LA (n = 29). Venous blood was collected for plasma phospholipid fatty acid analyses at weeks 14, 26, and 36 of pregnancy, at delivery, and at 32 wk postpartum. Umbilical cord blood and vascular tissue samples were collected to study neonatal fatty acid status also. Pregnancy outcome variables were assessed. RESULTS: ALA+LA supplementation did not prevent decreases in maternal DHA and AA concentrations during pregnancy and, compared with LA supplementation, did not increase maternal and neonatal DHA concentrations but significantly increased eicosapentaenoic acid (20:5n-3) and docosapentaenoic acid (22:5n-3) concentrations. In addition, ALA+LA supplementation lowered neonatal AA status. No significant differences in pregnancy outcome variables were found. CONCLUSIONS: Maternal ALA+LA supplementation did not promote neonatal DHA+AA status. The lower concentrations of Osbond acid (22:5n-6) in maternal plasma phospholipids and umbilical arterial wall phospholipids with ALA+LA supplementation than with LA supplementation suggest only that functional DHA status improves with ALA+LA supplementation.     

Vitamin C status in elderly women: A comparison between women living in a nursing home and women living independently

The vitamin C status in blood fractions in 135 elderly women aged 65 years and older was studied within the framework of the Dutch Nutrition Surveillance System. Mean (± standard deviation) vitamin C intake (mg/day) was lower among women living in a nursing home (54±27 mg/ day) than among women living in service flats (97±55 mg/ day) and women living independently (132 ± 44 mg/day). (Service flats are apartments in which the rent includes housekeeping and, when ordered, meal service.) Marginal vitamin C values (<23 μmol/L) in blood fractions and even levels as low as those found in clinical scurvy (<11 μmol/L) were frequently observed. In the nursing home, 35% of the women had plasma vitamin C values below 11 μmol/L, and 23% had values between 11 and 23 μmol/L. Blood levels were not significantly affected by age, smoking status, or use of particular drugs but were strongly (r = .47 or, after logarithmic transformation, r = .64) associated with daily intake of vitamin C. Low intake of vitamin C resulted from an overall low food consumption and selective restriction of food products rich in vitamin C. Vitamin C losses caused by food preparation practices and distribution in the nursing home's catering system reduced actual vitamin C intake levels but these losses were not substantially greater than those that are assumed to occur as a result of preparation practices by women living independently.     

Comparison of the peripartum and postpartum phospholipid polyunsaturated fatty acid profiles of lactating and nonlactating women

BACKGROUND: Pregnancy is associated with increased absolute amounts of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA; 22:6n-3) in plasma phospholipids. Expressed as a proportion of total fatty acids, DHA declines slightly in late pregnancy but little information is available on the normalization of DHA postpartum, which may be different in lactating and nonlactating women. OBJECTIVE: The aim was to investigate maternal plasma and erythrocyte long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (long-chain polyenes; LCPs) postpartum, particularly DHA, in relation to lactation and dietary LCP intake. DESIGN: Healthy pregnant women who intended to breast-feed or exclusively bottle-feed their infants were studied at 36-37 wk of pregnancy. Blood samples were collected at entry, after parturition on days 2 and 5, and 1, 2, 4, 8, 16, 32, and 64 wk postpartum. Fatty acid profiles were analyzed in plasma and erythrocyte phospholipids. Dietary intakes were assessed 4 and 32 wk postpartum with a validated food-frequency questionnaire. RESULTS: After delivery, the percentages of plasma linoleic, arachidonic, eicosapentaenoic, and docosapentaenoic acids increased over time, whereas the percentage of docosapentaenoic acid decreased; the patterns of change did not differ significantly between the lactating and nonlactating groups. The percentage of DHA in plasma and erythrocyte phospholipid fatty acids declined significantly in the 2 groups, more so in the lactating women, and was enhanced when the lactation period was extended. Despite the apparent higher dietary intake of essential fatty acids in the lactating group at week 4, it was not significantly different from that of the nonlactating group. CONCLUSION: Normalization of maternal plasma and erythrocyte phospholipid n-3 LCPs differs significantly between lactating and nonlactating women postpartum but that of n-6 LCPs does not.     

Determinants of fluid intelligence in healthy aging: Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid status and frontoparietal cortex structure

Introduction: Accumulating evidence indicates that cognitive decline depends not only upon changes in brain health, but critically, also upon nutritional status. Decline in fluid intelligence, one of the most debilitating aspects of cognitive aging, has been linked to omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) status; however, it is not known whether this phenomenon results from specific omega-3 PUFAs acting on particular aspects of brain health. Therefore, this study aims to explore whether particular patterns of omega-3 PUFAs influence fluid intelligence by supporting specific neural structures.

Methods: We measured six plasma phospholipid omega-3 PUFAs, fluid intelligence, and regional gray matter volume in the frontal and parietal cortices in 100 cognitively intact older adults (65–75 years old). A four-step mediation analysis was implemented using principal component analysis and multivariate linear regressions, adjusted for age, gender, education, and body mass index.

Results: The mediation analysis revealed that one pattern of omega-3 PUFAs, consisting of alpha-linolenic acid, stearidonic acid, and eicosatrienoic acid, was linked to fluid intelligence, and that total gray matter volume of the left frontoparietal cortex (FPC) fully mediated the relationship between this omega-3 PUFA pattern and fluid intelligence.

Discussion: These data demonstrate that fluid intelligence may be optimally supported by specific omega-3 PUFAs through preservation of FPC gray matter structure in cognitively intact older adults. This report provides novel evidence for the benefits of particular omega-3 PUFA patterns on fluid intelligence and underlying gray matter structure.     

Low copper status of rats affects polyunsaturated fatty acid composition of brain phospholipids, unrelated to neuropathology.

To determine the molecular basis of the neuropathology of copper deficiency, brain lipid composition was determined in second-generation copper-deficient rats. Non-parous female rats were fed a low copper diet (0.5 mg Cu/kg) or a control diet (10 mg Cu/kg) during gestation and lactation, and the offspring were continued on the respective diets to approximately 8 wk of age. In one experiment the source of carbohydrate was 15% starch and 52.6% sucrose, and in another experiment sucrose and glucose were compared in a factorial design. The source of carbohydrate had no effect on copper status. Myelin concentration was estimated by isolation, by 2',3'-cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase activity, and by concentration of 20:1 (n-9). Fatty acid compositions of the phospholipid fractions of brain parts and of myelin were determined. Copper deficiency reduced myelin concentration slightly in the midbrain region and increased the proportion of linoleic acid [18:2(n-6)] in both brain and isolated myelin. In the cerebellum the long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids, particularly 22:6(n-3), were lower. Approximately one-half of the copper-deficient rats developed Parkinson-like signs and had low striatal dopamine, but neither myelin content nor brain fatty acid composition was associated with the neuropathology.     

Correlation between interactions of younger elderly women with close non-family friends and neighbors and health-related QOL

OBJECTIVE: This study was conducted to examine the correlation between interactions of younger elderly women with close non-family friends and neighbors and their health-related QOL, in order to expand understanding of social relationships of the elderly and their health perceptions. METHODOLOGY: Questionnaires were mailed to 1,000 randomly selected women aged 65 to 74 living in City A (population: 180,000; elderly: 14.9%), a bed town community outside a metropolitan area. From 602 valid replies, analysis was limited to self-reports from 525 women who were independent in daily life and interacted with close non-family friends and neighbors. For this purpose the Daily Mutual Caring Interactions (DMCI) scale was applied--its items indicate aims and reciprocal acts in interactions of younger elderly women with close non-family friends and neighbors (Cronbach's alpha = 0.85)--and the Japanese Version SF-36v2, a widely used measure of health-related QOL (Cronbach's alpha = 0.93). Structural equation modeling analysis examined the four constructs of DMCI and their correlations with the physical and psychological health-related components of SF-36v2. RESULTS: The conceived meaning of a correlation among DMCI constructs in the final model (GFI = 0.930, RMSEA = 0.045) is that there is "an appropriate distance between individuals" by holding "mutual concern for each other's daily lives" and "sympathetic mutual understanding", and through these mutual actions one is able to "confirm one's own identity." An extremely weak positive correlation was found between "sympathetic mutual understanding" and the physical and psychological components of SF-36v2. However, no significant correlations were found for "confirmation of one's own identity," the objective of interaction, with either physical or psychological components. An additional finding was an extremely strong correlation between SF-36v2 physical and psychological components. CONCLUSION: From our study of the interactions of younger elderly women with close non-family friends and neighbors and their health-related QOL, there are no clear direct links that would support the idea that social relations enhance physical or psychological health perceptions. Even so, because the model fits the data for younger elderly women aware of irreversible changes brought on by aging and irrespective of their degree of perceived health, it is possible that interactions with non-family friends and neighbors help these women to share an understanding of existing conditions and live their lives actively and positively. From the perspective of the QOL of the elderly, this suggests the necessity for further discussion about effects of supporting elderly people's own health enhancement efforts that focus on the social aspects of daily life.     

Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid and insulin sensitivity: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Background &aim

n-3 PUFA has been shown to decrease the risk of several components of the metabolic syndrome; however, the role of n-3 PUFA on glucose metabolism is not clear. Our aim was to systematically review the effect of n-3 PUFA on IS by conducting a meta-analysis of available RCTs.

Methods

We followed the guidelines of Cochrane’s review of systematic interventions. We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, CENTRAL and clinicaltrials.gov from the beginning of each database until October 2010. Meta-analysis was performed using a random effects model to estimate a pooled SMD and the corresponding 95% CI.

Results

From 303 screened citations, 11 RCTs (n = 618) were eligible for inclusion in the analysis. In a pooled estimate, n-3 PUFA intervention had no effects on IS compared to placebo (SMD 0.08, 95% CI −0.11–0.28). Similarly, n-3 PUFA had no effects on IS in sub-group analyses (Type 2 diabetes vs. other population; QUICKI and other test subgroups). In the HOMA subgroup, n-3 PUFA was associated with a statistically significant increase in IS (SMD 0.30, CI 0.03–0.58) when compared to placebo.

Conclusion

This meta-analysis is consistent with a lack of n-3 PUFA effects on IS.     

Dietary n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids: modification of rat cardiac lipids and fatty acid composition

The effects of 5, 10 and 20% dietary menhaden oil (MO) on the composition of heart lipid classes and fatty acids were studied. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were fed ad libitum 0, 5, 10 and 20% MO for 3 wk. The heart phosphoglyceride content and composition and cholesterol were unchanged by dietary MO. A nonlinear dose-response relationship was observed between dietary MO levels and fatty acid compositional changes. Cardiolipin, choline (PC), ethanolamine (PE) and serine/inositol (PS/PI) phosphoglycerides showed an incorporation of n-3 fatty acids, eicosapentaenoic (20:5n-3) and docosahexaenoic (22:6n-3), between the control and 5% MO group, a plateau between the 5 and 10% MO groups and a further increase at the 20% MO level. The initial reduction in 20:4n-6 content remained unchanged as dietary MO increased except in PE where a further reduction was found at the 20% MO level. Dietary MO did not significantly change the 20:4n-6 content in neutral lipids. Linoleic acid content was most resistant to dietary MO removal. The level of 18:2n-6 was significantly lowered in heart PC when rats were fed 10% MO. No significant differences were found in PS/PI. In PE and NL significant differences occurred only when rats were fed 20% MO. The significant fatty acid modifications of heart lipid and PL found between the control and lowest level of dietary MO (5%) suggest that dietary fish oil supplementation in human diets may not be required for this effect.     

Comparison between plasma and erythrocyte fatty acid content as biomarkers of fatty acid intake in US women

BACKGROUND: Erythrocyte fatty acids may be superior to plasma fatty acids for reflecting long-term fatty acid intake because of less sensitivity to recent intake and a slower turnover rate. OBJECTIVE: The objective was to compare the fatty acid content of erythrocytes with that of plasma with respect to their abilities to reflect usual fatty acid intake. DESIGN: Fatty acids in plasma and erythrocytes were measured by capillary gas-liquid chromatography in 306 US women aged 43-69 y. Fatty acid intake was assessed with a food-frequency questionnaire, which was validated for measuring intakes of various fatty acids. RESULTS: Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, 22:6n-3) in erythrocytes and plasma provided the strongest correlations with its intake, but erythrocyte DHA concentrations [Spearman's partial correlation coefficient (r(s))=0.56] were better than plasma DHA concentrations (r(s)=0.48) as a biomarker. Total trans fatty acids (r(s)=0.43) and total 18:1 trans isomers (r(s)=0.42) in erythrocytes were also more strongly correlated with intake than were those in plasma (r(s)=0.30 and r(s)=0.29, respectively). Moderate correlations were observed for linoleic acid (18:2n-6; erythrocytes, r(s)=0.24; plasma, r(s)=0.25), alpha-linolenic acid (18:3n-3; erythrocytes, r(s)=0.18; plasma, r(s)=0.23), and eicosapentaenoic acid (20:5 n-3; erythrocytes, r(s)=0.38; plasma, r(s)=0.21). For polyunsaturated and trans fatty acids, correlations between intakes and biomarkers improved moderately when average intakes over previous years were used. CONCLUSION: Erythrocyte n-3 fatty acids of marine origin and trans fatty acid content are suitable biomarkers for long-term intake.     

Vitamin B6 status of Finnish elderly. Comparison with Dutch younger adults and elderly. The effect of supplementation

About 25% of Finnish and Dutch elderly appeared to be more or less deficient in vitamin B6 as compared to younger adults. Deficiency was observed at the cellular (PLP, EGOT and alpha-EGOT) as well as at the plasma level (PLP). The benefit of a one-year daily supplementation with 2 mg of pyridoxine-HCl was investigated at the biochemical and psychological level as compared to a placebo group. After one year, none of the supplemented elderly was deficient in biochemical terms. At the psychological level and at the level of general well-being, the elderly supplemented with vitamin B6 showed slight improvements. However, for the psychological variables significant correlations with the vitamin B6 parameters were not observed. Plasma fatty acids (e.g. gamma-linolenic acid) showed no correlation with the vitamin B6 status.     

Validity of a food frequency questionnaire to estimate long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid intake among Japanese women in early and late pregnancy

Background

The relative validity of food frequency questionnaires for estimating long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid (LC-PUFA) intake among pregnant Japanese women is currently unclear. The aim of this study was to verify the external validity of a food frequency questionnaire, originally developed for non-pregnant adults, to assess the dietary intake of LC-PUFA using dietary records and serum phospholipid levels among Japanese women in early and late pregnancy.

Comparison between omega-3 and omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acid intakes as assessed by a food frequency questionnaire and erythrocyte membrane fatty acid composition in young children

OBJECTIVE: We conducted a dietary validation study in youth aged 1-11 years by comparing dietary intake of omega-3 and omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) as assessed by a parent-completed semiquantitative food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) over time to erythrocyte membrane composition of the same fatty acids. DESIGN: The study population included youth aged 1-11 years who were participants in the Diabetes Autoimmunity Study in the Young (DAISY), a longitudinal study in Denver, Colorado that is following a cohort of youth at risk for developing type I diabetes. Four hundred and four children who had erythrocyte membrane fatty acid data matched to an FFQ corresponding to the same time frame for a total of 917 visits (matches) were included. PUFA intake was expressed both as g/day (adjusted for total energy) and as percent of total fat intake. We used mixed models to test the association and calculate the correlation between the erythrocyte membrane estimates and PUFA intake using all records of data for each youth. RESULTS: Intakes of total omega-3 fatty acids (beta=0.52, P<0.0001, rho=0.23) and marine PUFAs (beta=1.62, P<0.0001, rho=0.42), as a percent of total fat in the diet, were associated with percent of omega-3 and marine PUFAs in the erythrocyte membrane. Intakes of omega-6 PUFAs (beta=0.04, P=0.418, rho=0.05) and arachidonic acid (beta=0.31, P=0.774, rho=0.01) were not associated. CONCLUSIONS: In these young children, an FFQ using parental report provided estimates of average long-term intakes of marine PUFAs that correlated well with their erythrocyte cell membrane fatty acid status.     

人乳多不饱和脂肪酸含量与婴儿食物过敏关系的研究

【目的】 研究人乳多不饱和脂肪酸(polyunsaturated fatty acid, PUFA)含量与婴儿发生食物过敏的关系。 【方法】 采集3~6月人乳喂养婴儿母亲的乳汁,高效液相色谱法法检测其中α-LNA、DHA(n-3组)和LA、AA含量(n-6组);按R.Sporik标准确立婴儿食物过敏,比较食物过敏与正常婴儿母亲乳汁中PUFA含量的差异性。 【结果】 31例3~6月龄人乳喂养婴儿中10例发生食物过敏,过敏婴儿母亲乳汁中LA、AA及α-LNA含量增高(P<0.05)、DHA含量差异无统计学意义。 【结论】 食物过敏婴儿的母亲乳汁中α-LNA、LA、AA含量升高,提示人乳PUFA代谢异常可能与婴儿发生食物过敏有关。     

Essential fatty acid status of colostrum-deprived gnotobiotic and conventional lambs: Organ fatty acid composition

Gnotobiotic (GN) and conventional (CV) colostrum-deprived lambs were fed diets deficient (D) or supplemented with. 32% of the total calories as linoleic acid (L). Plasma and organ fatty acid compositions were assessed after 2 mo. of the dietary and environmental regimens. Linoleic acid deficiency in GN and CV lambs generally resulted in decreases of linoleic acid in plasma, liver and kidney samples and increases in oleic and eicosatrienoic acids. The triene/tetraene ratios (20:3n9/20:4n6) for plasma, kidney and liver increased in the D vs L groups. However, the elevated triene/tetraene ratios observed for the L groups (<.4) indicated a slight overall essential fatty acid (EFA) deficiency condition. The presence of the microflora apparently increased the linoelic acid requirement of CV lambs. The data suggest that the requirements of the neonatal colostrum-deprived ruminant are in excess of .32% of the total calories and that changes in EFA status of the ruminant are reflected in tissue fatty acid composition.     

B vitamin status and concentrations of homocysteine and methylmalonic acid in elderly German women

BACKGROUND: Prior investigations found that elderly persons are at higher risk than are younger persons for B vitamin deficiency, which leads to elevated plasma total homocysteine (tHcy) concentrations that are associated with an increased risk for certain diseases such as coronary artery disease. To date, published data have shown decreased vitamin status and elevated tHcy among the elderly. OBJECTIVE: We evaluated the dietary intake and the blood status of various B vitamins and tHcy and methylmalonic acid (MMA) concentrations in 178 younger (60-70-y-old) female seniors. DESIGN: Dietary intake was assessed with a 3-d diet record. Thiamine, riboflavin, and vitamin B-6 activity coefficients of erythrocyte transketolase (EC 2.2.1.1), erythrocyte glutathione reductase (EC 1.6.4.2), and erythrocyte alpha-aspartic aminotransferase (EC 2.6.1.1) were used as functional indexes for the status of the 3 vitamins, respectively. Concentrations of serum and red blood cell folate, serum cobalamin and MMA, and plasma tHcy were measured. RESULTS: Indexes of thiamine, pyridoxine, and cobalamin indicated insufficient status in one-third of the women, whereas tHcy and MMA concentrations were elevated in 17.4% and 9.6% of the women, respectively. An association between vitamin intake and vitamin concentration in the blood was found only for folate. The mean tHcy concentration in subjects in the lowest quartile of serum folate concentration was 23% higher than that in subjects in the highest quartile. There was no association between riboflavin and tHcy concentrations. MMA was positively correlated with age and inversely correlated with serum cobalamin concentration. CONCLUSIONS: Even in younger, well-educated, female seniors, the prevalence of low B vitamin status and elevated plasma tHcy concentration is high. Thiamine, pyridoxine, folate, and cobalamin supplementation should be considered.