THE EFFECT OF DIETARY γ-TOCOPHEROL ON SERUM TOCOPHEROLS IN FORMULA-FED INFANTS

ABSTRACT. Jansson, L., Holmberg, L. and Jakobsson, I. (Department of Paediatrics, University of Lund, Malmö General Hospital, Malmö, Sweden). The effect of dietary γ-tocopherol on serum tocopherols in formula-fed infants. Acta Paediatr Scand, 70:297, 1981.–The levels of α-, β- and γ-tocopherol were determined in two formulas (Nutramigen± and Soja-semp±) and in 20 infants fed either of these formulas. The y-tocopherol concentration in Nutramigen was 22.8±1.9 µmol/l; and that in Soja-semp 3.7±0.5 µmol/l. This difference was reflected in the serum tocopherols of the infants, since in the 10 infants fed Nutramigen, γ-tocopherol accounted for 16.7 ± 7.9% of the total tocopherols compared to 4.2±1.8% in the 10 infants fed Soja-semp. The study shows that γ-tocopherol accumulates in the serum of infants fed large amounts of it. The serum γ-tocopherol level should therefore be taken into account, when estimating the vitamin E status in humans, especially when the intake of γ-tocopherol is high.