H. van den Berg

A European carotenoid database to assess carotenoid intakes and its use in a five-country comparative study

A food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) and carotenoid database with information on alpha- and beta-carotene, lutein, lycopene and beta-cryptoxanthin was prepared and used to compare the carotenoid intakes in five European countries: UK, Republic of Ireland, Spain, France and The Netherlands. Eighty, age- (25-45 years) and sex-matched volunteers were recruited in each of the five countries. A FFQ and carotenoid database was prepared of the most commonly consumed carotenoid rich foods in the participating countries and the information was used to calculate frequency and intake of carotenoid-rich foods. The median total carotenoid intake based on the sum of the five carotenoids, was significantly higher (P < 0.05) in France (16.1 mg/day) and lower in Spain (9.5 mg/day,) than the other countries, where the average intake was approximately 14 mg/day. Comparison of dietary source of carotenoids showed that carrots were the major source of beta-carotene in all countries except Spain where spinach was most important. Likewise, carrots were also the main source of alpha-carotene. Tomato or tomato products, were the major source of lycopene. Lutein was mainly obtained from peas in Republic of Ireland and the UK, however, spinach was found to be the major source in other countries. In all countries, beta-cryptoxanthin was primarily obtained from citrus fruit. Comparing the data with that from specific European country studies suggests that the FFQ and carotenoid database described in the present paper can be used for comparative dietary intake studies within Europe. The results show that within Europe there are differences in the specific intake of some carotenoids which are related to different foods consumed by people in different countries.

Changes of some vitamin levels during and after normal pregnancy

Most vitamin status parameters change significantly during pregnancy. A number of factors have been associated with this hypovitaminaemia of pregnancy. From our data, it was concluded that the initial value of a vitamin status parameter was by far the main determinant of the changes of vitamin levels during pregnancy: the higher the value, the steeper the decrease. Some hormonal variables were associated with these changes as well. This is highly suggestive of a resetting of vitamin homeostasis in blood, with a retention of vitamins in maternal tissues. The postpartum changes of vitamin levels provide insight into the net cost of vitamins during pregnancy. Most serum blood levels of vitamins normalized shortly after delivery. Serum vitamin B6 levels increased slowly with 25% below the acceptable range at 6 months postpartum. However, the GGOT stimulation ratio, indicative for vitamin B6 cellular content, was completely normal at the time. Serum folacin was the only exception, with 45% serum levels in the marginal or deficient range; 20% of this group had deficient or marginal red cell folacin levels as well. This indicates that the net cost of folacin during pregnancy is considerable, and repletion of folacin stores takes more than 6 months.

Vitamin B6 status and requirements in older adults.

Vitamin B 6 has sometimes been referred to as a vitamin without a deficiency. Non-specific clinical symptoms and functional losses, such as compromised haem synthesis, immunocompetence and electroencephalographic (EEG) abnormalities, have been observed in experimental (depletion) studies, but spontaneous cases of clinical vitamin B 6 deficiency in man are rare (for review, see Leklem, 1991; Bender, 1992). Biochemical evidence for an inadequate vitamin B 6 supply, such as low plasma pyridoxal phosphate (PLP) levels, has been reported, however, in several studies and for various groups, but especially in elderly (van der Wielen et al. 1996; Brussaard et al. 1997). Whether the higher prevalence of a marginal vitamin B 6 status among elderly has indeed functional consequences, and reflects inadequate intake, or results from metabolic changes resulting in increased vitamin B 6 needs, is still under debate. Depletion–repletion studies among elderly males and females by Ribaya-Mercado et al. (1991) indeed showed that more vitamin B 6 was needed to normalize plasma PLP and tryptophan loading test results compared with results found in similar (earlier) studies with younger adults. Based upon these data, the panel on Folate and other B-vitamins from the Food and Nutrition Board in the USA recently recommended a higher RDA for vitamin B 6 for older adults (51+) compared with younger age groups. In this issue, Bates et al. (1999) confirm these findings of low plasma PLP in the elderly in a representative sample of British older (65+) males and females. They also measured plasma 4-pyridoxic acid (4-PA), a catabolic product of vitamin B 6 , and observed a clear increase of 4-PA with age, which was not solely caused by renal impairment. In this study, as in most other studies, a strong correlation between dietary vitamin B 6 intake and plasma PLP was established; however, the mean intake as such was considered adequate, with only 2–3 % of individuals with intakes below the lower nutrient reference intake (LNRI). The increase in (relative) 4-PA excretion, indicative of a higher catabolic rate, has been reported earlier (e.g. Lee & Leklem, 1985), but is not found in all studies (Kant et al. 1988; Pannemans et al. 1994). In livers of ageing (female) rats, an age-related increase in pyridoxal (PL) oxidase (EC 1.2.3.8) and dehydrogenase (EC 1.1.1.107) activities has been found which may result in an increased flux of PL through this oxidative pathway (Bode et al. 1991). The availability of …

Evaluation of the effect of the use of vitamin supplements on vitamin A intake among (potentially) pregnant women in relation to the consumption of liver and liver products

OBJECTIVEnTo assess the distribution of dietary vitamin A intake among Dutch women aged 16-50 and among pregnant women, and to evaluate the effect of the use of a vitamin A (1200 RE) containing multivitamin supplement in terms of nutritional and teratogenic risk.nnnSTUDY DESIGNnData from the 2nd Dutch national food consumption survey (1992) were used for calculation of the vitamin A intake among 1725 16-50 year old women and 58 pregnant women. Calculations were performed with and without simulation of the use of a supplement containing 1200 RE vitamin A.nnnRESULTSnAverage vitamin A intake, based on a two-day dietary record method, compared quite well with recommended intake levels: 850 RE for the 16-50 year old non-pregnant (NP) women (RDA: 800 RE), and 990 RE for the pregnant (P) women (RDA: 1000 RE), respectively. The use of liver on one of the days under survey resulted in high intakes: 60% of the women in this subgroup exceeded the safe upper intake limit of 3000 RE, while in 23% of the cases intakes were > 7500 RE. Those not consuming liver or liver products on the days under survey had relatively low average intakes [NP (n = 1472): 540 RE; P (n = 46): 720 RE]; about 70% of the non-liver users had intakes below the RDA. Including the daily use of a vitamin A containing multivitamin supplement with 1200 RE resulted in intakes > RDA, while only in 2% (NP), respectively 3% (P) of the cases the total intake exceeded the 3000 RE level, but remained in all cases below 7500 RE/day. serving per day.nnnCONCLUSIONnThe use of a vitamin A containing (maximum 1200 RE) multivitamin supplement can contribute to a controlled and adequate vitamin A intake and be considered as safe for pregnant women or women who wish to become pregnant, if the consumption of liver is completely avoided and the consumption of liver products is limited to maximum one.