Evaluation of vitamin B6 intake and status of 20- to 64-year-old Koreans

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES

Recent research regarding vitamin B₆ status including biochemical index is limited. Thus, this study estimated intakes and major food sources of vitamin B₆; determined plasma pyridoxal 5''-phosphate (PLP); and assessed vitamin B₆ status of Korean adults.

MATERIALS/METHODS

Three consecutive 24-h diet recalls and fasting blood samples were collected from healthy 20- to 64-year-old adults (n = 254) living in the Seoul metropolitan area, cities of Kwangju and Gumi, Korea. Vitamin B₆ intake and plasma PLP were analyzed by gender and by vitamin B₆ supplementation. Pearson''s correlation coefficient was used to determine associations of vitamin B₆ intake and plasma PLP.

RESULTS

The mean dietary and total (dietary plus supplemental) vitamin B₆ intake was 1.94 ± 0.64 and 2.41 ± 1.45 mg/day, respectively. Median (50th percentile) dietary intake of men and women was 2.062 and 1.706 mg/day. Foods from plant sources provided 70.61% of dietary vitamin B₆ intake. Only 6.3% of subjects consumed total vitamin B₆ less than Estimated Average Requirements. Plasma PLP concentration of all subjects was 40.03 ± 23.71 nmol/L. The concentration of users of vitamin B₆ supplements was significantly higher than that of nonusers (P < 0.001). Approximately 16% of Korean adults had PLP levels < 20 nmol/L, indicating a biochemical deficiency of vitamin B₆, while 19.7% had marginal vitamin B₆ status. Plasma PLP concentration showed positive correlation with total vitamin B₆ intake (r = 0.40984, P < 0.0001).

CONCLUSIONS

In this study, vitamin B₆ intake of Korean adults was generally adequate. However, one-third of subjects had vitamin B₆ deficiency or marginal status. Therefore, in some adults in Korea, consumption of vitamin B₆-rich food sources should be encouraged.     

Dietary source of vitamin B12 intake and vitamin B12 status in female elderly Koreans aged 85 and older living in rural area

Recently, we found and analyzed vitamin B₁₂ in some Korean traditional plant foods which had not reported, yet. This study was to investigate vitamin B₁₂ intake and its dietary sources and the vitamin B₁₂ status in the very old elderly Koreans. We measured serum vitamin B₁₂ level and estimated the amounts of vitamin B₁₂ intake from different dietary sources in female elderly Koreans aged 85 and over who had consumed a relatively low animal traditional diet for the whole life. The average age of the subjects (n = 127) was 98.0 years (85-108 years). The assessment on energy and nutrient intake involved a one-day 24-hour recall, and serum vitamin B₁₂ concentration was measured by radioimmunoassay. Overall diet pattern was not different between the 85-99 yr-old group and centenarians, except centenarians were taking more dairy product. The average ratio of plant food to animal food consumption was 87.5:12.5 in weight. The average vitamin B₁₂ intake of our subjects was 3.2 µg/day, and 52.7% of subjects consumed under estimated average requirement, 2.0 µg/day. On dietary source, 67.3% of dietary vitamin B₁₂ was from meat, eggs and fishes and 30.6% was from plant foods, such as soybean-fermented foods, seaweeds, and kimchi. The average serum vitamin B₁₂ concentration was 450.5 pg/mL, and low serum vitamin B₁₂ (< 200 pg/mL) was found in 9.6% of subjects. Dietary vitamin B₁₂ intake was significantly lower in subjects with low serum vitamin B₁₂ (0.79 µg/day) than those with normal serum vitamin B₁₂ (3.47 µg/day). There were no significant difference in vitamin B₁₂ intake and its dietary sources and serum vitamin B₁₂ level between the 85-99 yr-old group and centenarians. In conclusion, several plant-origin foods including seaweed, soybean-fermented foods, and kimchi, may contribute significantly to good vitamin B₁₂ status in very old elderly Koreans.     

The association between dietary glycemic index,glycemic load and diet quality indices in Iranian adults: results from Isfahan Healthy Heart Program

To assess the association between dietary glycemic index (GI), glycemic load (GL) and dietary quality indices in Iranian adults. This cross section was conducted among 1571 Iranian adults aged ≥19 years. GI, GL and diet quality indices were estimated by 24-h recall and DDS was calculated using a validated 48-item food frequency questionnaire. Participants who were in the top tertile of GI had lower healthy eating index (HEI) (57.2?±?7.8 versus 55.6?±?8.7; p?p?2. Individuals in the lowest tertile of GL had lower HEI, MAR and NARs for Zn, vitamin B₂, B₃, B₆, B₁₂, vitamin D. Both GI and GL were positively related to dietary diversity score (DED) (p?相似文献   

Dietary Diversity within Food Groups: An Indicator of Specific Nutrient Adequacy in Tehranian Women

Objective: To determine the relationship between dietary diversity within food groups and dietary diversity score and the probability of nutrient adequacy in Tehranian women.

Design: Cross-sectional study assessing food intake by two 24-hour recalls questionnaires on two different occasions. Dietary diversity was defined according to diet quality index revised. The mean probability of adequacy across 14 nutrients was calculated using the Dietary Reference Intakes.

Setting: District 13 of Tehran, Iran.

Subjects: 286 females aged 18–80 years.

Results: Whole grain diversity score mostly correlated with protein and vitamin B₂ (r = 0.35, p < 0.05). Fruit diversity score was correlated with vitamin C (r = 0.44, p < 0.05). Dairy diversity score was correlated with calcium intake (r = 0.54, p < 0.05). Meat diversity score was correlated with protein intake (r = 0.34, p < 0.05). Most subjects failed to meet vitamin B₆, zinc, magnesium, calcium, copper, and vitamin B₁₂ adequacy. Energy intake was a strong predictor of the mean probability of adequacy in models controlled for age, BMI, education level and job status (model R² = 0.53). Adding the number of servings from each of the food group to the models significantly improved the model fit (model R² = 0.59). Adding the dietary diversity score improved the model fit significantly (model R² = 0.64). Dairy diversity score had the strongest association with improved nutrient adequacy.

Conclusion: Dietary diversity score is a useful indicator of specific nutrient adequacy in Tehranian women. However, to determine the adequacy of a specific nutrient, the diversity scores of specific food groups might be taken into account.     

A Priori and a Posteriori Dietary Patterns among Pregnant Women in Johannesburg,South Africa: The NuPED Study

Dietary pattern analyses allow assessment of the diet as a whole. Limited studies include both a priori and a posteriori dietary pattern analyses. This study aimed to explore the diet of pregnant women in urban South Africa through both a priori and a posteriori dietary pattern analyses and associated maternal and household factors. Dietary data were collected during early pregnancy using a quantified food frequency questionnaire from 250 pregnant women enrolled in the Nutrition During Pregnancy and Early Development (NuPED) cohort. A priori dietary patterns were determined using the Diet Quality Index-International (DQI-I), and a posteriori nutrient patterns using exploratory factor analysis. Based on the DQI-I, the study population followed a borderline low-quality diet. Three a posteriori nutrient patterns were identified: Pattern 1 “plant protein, iron, thiamine, and folic acid”; pattern 2 “animal protein, copper, vitamin A, and vitamin B₁₂”; pattern 3 “fatty acids and sodium”. Pattern 1 was associated with higher dietary quality (p < 0.001), lower maternal educational level (p = 0.03) and socioeconomic status (p < 0.001). Pattern 3 was significantly associated with lower dietary quality. The low dietary quality among pregnant women residing in urban South Africa should be addressed to ensure optimal maternal and offspring health outcomes.     

Evaluation of nutrient intake and diet quality of gastric cancer patients in Korea

This study was conducted to identify dietary factors that may affect the occurrence of gastric cancer in Koreans. Preoperative daily nutrition intake and diet quality of patients diagnosed with gastric cancer were evaluated. Collected data were comparatively analyzed by gender. The results were then used to prepare basic materials to aid in the creation of a desirable postoperative nutrition management program. The subjects of this study were 812 patients (562 men and 250 women) who were diagnosed with gastric cancer and admitted for surgery at Soonchunhyang University Hospital between January 2003 and December 2010. Nutrition intake and diet quality were evaluated by the 24-hr recall method, the nutrient adequacy ratio, mean adequacy ratio (MAR), nutrient density (ND), index of nutritional quality (INQ), dietary variety score (DVS), and dietary diversity score (DDS). The rate of skipping meals and eating fast, alcohol consumption, and smoking were significantly higher in males than those in females. The levels of energy, protein, fat, carbohydrate, phosphorous, sodium, potassium, vitamin B₁, vitamin B₂, niacin, and cholesterol consumption were significantly higher in males than those in females. Intake of fiber, zinc, vitamin A, retinol, carotene, folic acid were significantly higher in females than those in males. MAR in males was significantly higher (0.83) than that in females (0.79). INQ values were higher in females for zinc, vitamin A, vitamin B₂, vitamin B₆, and folic acid than those in males. The average DVS was 17.63 for females and 13.19 for males. The average DDS was 3.68 and the male''s average score was 3.44, whereas the female''s average score was 3.92. In conclusion, males had more dietary habit problems and poor nutritional balance than those of females. Our findings suggest that proper nutritional management and adequate dietary education for the primary prevention of gastric cancer should be emphasized in men.     

The Difference in Nutrient Intakes between Chinese and Mediterranean,Japanese and American Diets

Across countries, the predominant diets are clearly different and highly related with human health. Therefore, it is necessary to evaluate dietary nutrients between them. This study aimed to evaluate dietary nutrients in China and compare those between Chinese and Mediterranean (Italian), Japanese and American diets. Dietary intakes of 2659 subjects in south-east China, Zhejiang province, from 2010 to 2012, were estimated by three consecutive 24-h dietary recalls. The contribution of carbohydrate to total energy in Chinese subjects was lower than that in Japanese and American subjects, but higher than that in Italian subjects. However, the energy contribution from fat in Chinese subjects was higher than that in Japanese and American subjects, and similar to that in Italian subjects. Moreover, the Chinese diet had lower daily intakes of fiber, calcium, phosphorus, potassium, selenium, vitamin A, vitamin B₁, vitamin B₂ and vitamin C, compared with the Japanese, American and Italian diets. Nevertheless, intakes of sodium, iron, copper and vitamin E were higher among Chinese people relative to the people of other three countries. The present study demonstrated that the structure of the Chinese diet has been shifting away from the traditional diet toward high-fat, low-carbohydrate and low-fiber diets, and nutrients intakes in Chinese people have been changing even worse than those in American people.     

The framingham risk score, diet, and inflammatory markers in Korean men with metabolic syndrome

The Framingham risk score (FRS) has been used to assess the risk of a cardiovascular event and to identify patients for risk factor modifications. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship of the FRS with dietary intake and inflammatory biomarkers. We conducted a cross-sectional study of 180 men (49.2 ± 10.2 years) with MS. Serum levels of high sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and adiponectin were examined. Participants were asked to complete the food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) using the previous 1 year as a reference point. The absolute cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk percentage over 10 years was calculated to estimate the FRS, which was classified as low risk (< 10%), intermediate risk (10-20%), and high risk (> 20%). Mean intake of polyunsaturated fatty acids was lower in subjects who had > 20% FRS than in subjects who had < 10% FRS (3.7 ± 1.9 g/day vs. 4.7 ± 1.9 g/day; P < 0.05). Significant differences in the Index of Nutritional Quality of protein, phosphorus, iron, vitamin A, vitamin B₁, niacin, vitamin B₆, and vitamin C were observed between the > 20% FRS group and the < 10% FRS group (P < 0.05). IL-6 concentrations were significantly lower in subjects with a < 10% FRS than in subjects who were 10-20% FRS or > 20% FRS (0.91 ± 0.26 vs. 1.48 ± 033 vs. 2.72 ± 0.57 pg/mL, respectively; P < 0.05). IL-6 and dietary intake of polyunsaturated fatty acids together explained 6.6% of the variation in FRS levels in a stepwise multiple regression model. Our results provide some evidence that dietary intake in the higher CVD risk group was inferior to that in the lower risk group and that dietary fat intake and IL-6 were associated with FRS and MS in Korean men.     

Relative and biomarker-based validity of a food frequency questionnaire that measures the intakes of vitamin B12, folate, iron, and zinc in young women

Folate, vitamin B₁₂, iron, and zinc are particularly important nutrients for women of childbearing age. We tested the hypothesis that an electronic, 235-item, semiquantitative food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) is a valid measure of dietary intake when compared with repeat dietary 24-hour recalls. Biomarkers of folate, vitamin B₁₂, iron, and zinc were determined because their measurement errors are unrelated to errors in dietary questionnaires. Female adults (N = 256) aged 18 to 35 years completed the FFQ, and a representative subset (n = 53) completed repeat dietary 24-hour recalls. The FFQ estimates (mean ± SD) were 315 ± 132 μg for folate, 3.1 ± 2.1 μg for vitamin B₁₂, 15.4 ± 5.6 mg for iron, and 15.1 ± 6.4 mg for zinc. The percentage of women classified within the same ±1 quartile for energy intake by the 2 methods was 77.3%. There was moderate agreement between the 2 dietary methods, and no systematic bias was noted for energy, folate, vitamin B₁₂, and zinc. The deattenuated energy-adjusted correlation coefficients ranged from 0.41 (dietary folate equivalents) to 0.60 (folate). Significant correlations between biomarker and nutrient intakes were found for folate (r = 0.37, P < .01) and vitamin B₁₂ (r = 0.27, P < .01). The electronic FFQ developed in the present study is a relatively valid tool that was able to adequately assess and rank individuals according to their nutrient intakes.     

Association between Dietary Inflammatory Index,Dietary Patterns,Plant-Based Dietary Index and the Risk of Obesity

Evidence on the association between various dietary constructs and obesity risk is limited. This study aims to investigate the longitudinal relationship between different diet indices and dietary patterns with the risk of obesity. Non-obese participants (n = 787) in the North West Adelaide Health Study were followed from 2010 to 2015. The dietary inflammatory index (DII^®), plant-based dietary index (PDI) and factor-derived dietary pattern scores were computed based on food frequency questionnaire data. We found the incidence of obesity was 7.62% at the 5-year follow up. In the adjusted model, results from multivariable log-binomial logistic regression showed that a prudent dietary pattern (RR_Q5 vs. _Q1 = 0.38; 95% CI: 0.15–0.96), healthy PDI (RR = 0.31; 95% CI: 0.12–0.77) and overall PDI (RR = 0.56; 95% CI: 0.23–1.33) were inversely associated with obesity risk. Conversely, the DII (RR = 1.59; 95% CI: 0.72–3.50), a Western dietary pattern (RR = 2.16; 95% CI: 0.76–6.08) and unhealthy PDI (RR = 1.94; 95% CI: 0.81–4.66) were associated with increased risk of obesity. Based on the cubic spline analysis, the association between an unhealthy PDI or diet quality with the risk of obesity was non-linear. In conclusion, an anti-inflammatory diet, healthy diet or consumption of healthy plant-based foods were all associated with a lower risk of developing obesity.     

Low intake of vitamin B6 is associated with irritable bowel syndrome symptoms

Most subjects with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) experience an association between symptoms and food consumption. Although dietary intake has been the focus of previous research, attention to specific nutrients has been rare. We hypothesized that there is an association between the severity of IBS symptoms and the intake of specific food groups and specific nutrients. In this cross-sectional study, 17 human subjects with IBS, as defined according to the Rome II criteria, were recruited. IBS symptoms were recorded on diary cards every evening for 7 days, and an IBS sum score was calculated (range, 0-15). Intake of food was assessed from a food diary kept by the subjects in the same period. Associations between IBS sum score and dietary intake were explored. The daily IBS sum score was 6.43 (range, 3.86- 9.09). Intake of vitamin B₆ was the only component of the diet that was significantly associated with the IBS sum score. The median daily intake of vitamin B₆ was 0.9 mg/day (range, 0.6-1.5), the recommended daily intake for men and women is 1.6 mg/day or more and 1.2 mg/day or more, respectively. A high symptom score was associated with low vitamin B₆ intake (adjusted R² = 0.583; β = −4.431; 95% confidence interval, −6.386 to −2.476; P = 0.0002). A significant inverse association between intake of vitamin B₆ and severity of IBS symptoms might have clinical implications.     

Dietary intake is associated with human chronotype as assessed by both morningness–eveningness score and preferred midpoint of sleep in young Japanese women

We analyzed the association between dietary intake and chronotype as assessed by both Morningness–Eveningness Questionnaire (MEQ) score and preferred midpoint of sleep in 112 young Japanese women. Dietary intake was assessed by a brief, self-administered diet history questionnaire. A lower MEQ score (evening-type tendency) showed a significant association with a lower energy-adjusted intake of protein, calcium, magnesium, zinc, vitamins (D, riboflavin, and B₆), and vegetables, and with a higher intake of noodles. Furthermore, a later midpoint of sleep showed a significant association with a lower energy-adjusted intake of protein, cholesterol, potassium, calcium, magnesium, zinc, vitamins (D, riboflavin, B₆, and B₁₂), soy, fish and shellfish, and eggs, and with a higher intake of noodles, bread, and confections. These data suggest that evening chronotype is associated with inadequate dietary habits such as low vitamin and mineral intakes.     

Impact of a daily legume-based meal on dietary and nutritional intake in a group of omnivorous adults

Adopting eco-friendly diets will demand the consumption of more plant-based protein food sources such as legumes. However, assessing the impact of such a dietary shift on the dietary and nutritional intake of traditionally omnivorous populations is needed. The objective of this study was to assess the impact of substituting a traditional omnivorous-based lunch for a vegetarian, legume-based meal on the daily dietary and nutritional intake in a group of omnivorous adults in the city of Porto, Portugal. Nineteen, non-vegetarian, healthy young adults consumed a vegetarian, legume-based meal from Monday to Friday, for 8 consecutive weeks. Socio-demographic data, health status, lifestyle-related information and anthropometric parameters were recorded. Three-day food records were used to collect food intake at baseline and week 8. European Food Safety Authority and World Health Organization reference values were used to assess nutritional inadequacies. Variables were described as medians (P₂₅ and P₇₅). Wilcoxon signed-rank and Mann–Whitney tests were used for statistical comparisons. A p-value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Participants consumed 38.0 (P₂₅ = 35.0; P₇₅ = 40.0) meals, resulting in an intake of 84.5 g (P₂₅ = 74.9; P₇₅ = 98.4) of cooked legumes per meal, meaning 11 subjects (57.9%) met the Portuguese guidelines for legume consumption (≥80 g/day of legumes). The current dietary intervention did not seem to aggravate the prevalence of nutritional inadequacies for the macro- and micronutrients tested, except for the case of vitamin B₁₂ (52.6% [95% CI: 28.9–75.6] vs. 78.9% [95% CI: 54.4–94.0]). This could be linked to the reduction of dietary sources of this vitamin which is an expected consequence of vegetarian meals. Dietary changes towards grain legume-based diets are desirable yet need to be carefully implemented to prevent exacerbating potential nutrient inadequacies, especially of vitamin B₁₂.     

The effects of elimination diet on nutritional status in subjects with atopic dermatitis

A food allergy is an adverse health effect arising from a specific immune response that occurs reproducibly upon exposure to a given food. In those with food allergies that are thought to cause aggravation of eczema, food avoidance is important. The objective of this study was to research the nutritional status of patients with food allergies. A total of 225 subjects diagnosed with atopic dermatitis underwent a skin prick test as well as measurement of serum immunoglobulin E. Food challenge tests were conducted using seven food items: milk, eggs, wheat, soybeans, beef, pork, and chicken. At post-food challenge visits to the test clinic, participants completed a three-day dietary record, which included two week days and one weekend day, in order to evaluate energy intake and diet quality during the challenge. We analyzed nutrient intake based on differential food allergens. Subjects with a food allergy to milk showed lower intake of Ca, Zn, and vitamin B₂, and subjects with a food allergy to egg showed lower intake of vitamin A, B₁, B₂, niacin, and cholesterol. Subjects with a food allergy to wheat and soybean showed lower intake of Ca, P, Fe, K, Zn, vitamin B₂, vitamin B₆, and niacin; and subjects with a food allergy to beef, pork, and chicken showed lower intake of Fe and higher intake of K, vitamin A, B₂. Subjects with atopic dermatitis were lacking in several nutrients, including vitamin A and vitamin C. A greater number of food allergies showed an association with a greater number of nutrient intake deficiencies. Allergen avoidance is the basic treatment for atopic dermatitis. However, when the allergen is food, excessive restriction can lead to nutrition deficiency. Findings of this study suggest the necessity for enhanced nutritional education in order to provide substitute foods for patients with food allergies who practice food restriction.     

Intake of antioxidants and B vitamins is inversely associated with ischemic stroke and cerebral atherosclerosis

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVESThis study was conducted to examine relationships between dietary habits and intakes of antioxidants and B vitamins and the risk of ischemic stroke, and to compare dietary factors according to the presence of cerebral artery atherosclerosis and stroke subtypes.SUBJECTS/METHODSA total of 147 patients and 144 control subjects were recruited consecutively in the metropolitan area of Seoul, Korea. Sixty participants each in the case and control groups were included in analyses after 1:1 frequency matching. In addition, 117 acute ischemic stroke patients were classified into subtypes according to the Trial of Org 10172 in Acute Stroke Treatment (TOAST) guidelines. Dietary intake was measured using a semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire composed of 111 food items and plasma lipid and homocysteine levels were analyzed.RESULTSWhen compared with control subjects, stroke patients had unfavorable dietary behaviors and lower intakes of fruits (73.1 ± 83.2 g vs. 230.9 ± 202.1 g, P < 0.001), vegetables (221.1 ± 209.0 g vs. 561.7 ± 306.6 g, P < 0.001), and antioxidants, including vitamins C, E, B₆, β-carotene, and folate. The intakes of fruits, vegetables, vitamin C, and folate were inversely associated with the risk of ischemic stroke after adjusting for confounding factors. Intakes of vegetables, vitamins C, B₆, B₁₂, and folate per 1,000 kcal were lower in ischemic stroke with cerebral atherosclerosis than in those without. Overall vitamin B₁₂ intake per 1,000 kcal differed according to the TOAST classification (P = 0.004), but no differences among groups existed based on the post-hoc test.CONCLUSIONSWhen compared with control subjects, ischemic stroke patients, particularly those with cerebral atherosclerosis, had unfavorable dietary intake, which may have contributed to the development of ischemic stroke. These results indicate that proper dietary recommendations are important for the prevention of ischemic stroke.     

A comparative study of dietary intake among urban Japanese and Chinese aged 50∼79

This study examined the difference in dietary intake between middle-aged and elderly Japanese and Chinese. Volunteers aged 50–79 living in two cities in both Japan and China were recruited in local community service centers and were asked to complete a 3-day diet recording. The final results were based on 356 subjects (166 Chinese and 190 Japanese). In men, the Japanese subjects significantly consumed more energy, with a large proportion of the energy coming from carbohydrates, dietary fiber, vitamin A, vitamin B₂, vitamin C and they consumed less iron, and a lower proportion of energy from protein and fat than in the Chinese subjects. In women, the Japanese subjects had significantly higher intakes of energy, the proportion of energy from carbohydrates, dietary fiber, calcium, vitamin A, vitamin B₁, vitamin B₂, vitamin C and they consumed less iron, with the proportion of energy from protein and from fat in comparison with the Chinese women. Fat intake provided more than 29% of the total dietary energy in Chinese subjects. Daily intake of food items was significantly greater in the Japanese participants, both men and women (18.54 ±2.85, 20.11 ± 2.40, respectively), than in the Chinese subjects (14.11 ± 3.62, 15.51 ± 4.15, respectively) (p<0.01 by Mann WhitneyU-test). The present study suggests that the middleaged and elderly Chinese subjects should increase their variety of foods consumed while decreasing their consumption of high-fat foods. For the Japanese subjects, the higher intake of total calories among the woman should also be noted.     

Vitamin B12 and Folic Acid Imbalance Modifies NK Cytotoxicity,Lymphocytes B and Lymphoprolipheration in Aged Rats

Different vitamin B₁₂ and folic acid concentrations could exacerbate the immune response. The aim was to evaluate different dietary folic acid and vitamin B₁₂ levels on the immune response in aged rats. Male Sprague Dawley aged rats were assigned to three folic acid groups (deficient, control, supplemented) each in absence of vitamin B₁₂ for 30 days. Several parameters of innate and acquired immune responses were measured. Serum and hepatic folate levels increased according to folic acid dietary level, while vitamin B₁₂ levels decreased. There was a significant decrease in natural killer cell-mediated cytotoxicity in the spleen for the vitamin B₁₂ deficient diet and folic acid control diet groups. Significant changes in CD45 lymphocyte subsets were also observed according to dietary imbalance. Lymphoproliferative response to concanavalin A and phytohemagglutinin did not differ significantly between groups. The spleen response to lipopolysaccharide increased significantly, but was unmodified for the other organs. An imbalance between dietary vitamin B₁₂ and folic acid concentrations alters some immunological parameters in aged rats. Therefore, the ratio between folate and vitamin B₁₂ could be as important as their absolute dietary concentrations.     

Relationship of nutrient intakes and bone mineral density of elderly women in Daegu, Korea

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between nutrient intake and bone mineral density (BMD) of elderly women in Daegu, Korea. In this study, the bone mineral densities of 101 elderly women in Daegu were measured, and their nutrient intake, dietary habits, and maternal factors were determined through a survey. The subjects were divided into the normal group, the osteopenia group, and osteoporosis group to find out if there is a correlation between bone mineral density and maternal factors, dietary habits, and nutrient intake through their T-scores, analyzed according to the standards of WHO. Classification by T-scores of the participants were the normal group 25.7%, the osteopenia group 39.6%, the osteoporosis group 34.7%. Menopause age of the osteoporosis group was lower, postmenopausal period was longer, and last delivery age was significantly higher than the normal group (p<0.05). Osteoporosis group had a lower percentage of ''everyday'' fruit and vegetable intakes and higher percentage of ''never'' dairy intake than of the normal group. Vitamin A, vitamin B₁, and vitamin B₂ intakes of participants in the osteoporosis group were lower than those in the normal group (p<0.05). In conclusion, nutritional education is necessary to encourage high intake of milk and vegetables and fruits along with calcium, vitamin A, B₁, and B₁ intakes and low intake of sodium for the prevention of elderly women''s osteoporosis.     

Dietary intake of B-vitamins in mothers born a child with a congenital heart defect

Background Periconceptional use of multivitamins reduces the risk of a child with a congenital heart defect (CHD). Data on the impact of maternal diet, however, are lacking. Aim of the study We investigated the association between the maternal dietary intake of B-vitamins and having a child with a CHD. Methods A case-control study was performed in 192 mothers of a child with a CHD and 216 mothers of a healthy child. Mothers filled out food frequency questionnaires covering the current dietary intake, and general questionnaires at 17 months after the index-pregnancy. Maternal blood samples were taken to determine B-vitamin and plasma total homocysteine (tHcy) concentrations as nutritional biomarkers. Pregnant and lactating mothers and those with another diet compared with the preconceptional period were excluded for analysis. Case-mothers and controls were compared using the Mann-Whitney U test and logistic regression. Results The dietary intake of macronutrients and B-vitamins was comparable between both groups, but all mothers had a substantially lower median folate intake (cases 161 μg, controls 175 μg) than the Dutch recommended dietary allowance of 300 μg. Within the case-group, the intake of proteins and vitamin B₆ and the concentrations of serum vitamin B₁₂ and folate were significantly lower in hyperhomocysteinemics (tHcy ≥ 14.5 μmol/l) than in normohomocysteinemics. The maternal educational level was positively associated with B-vitamin intake, except for vitamin B₁₂ in controls. Low educated case-mothers showed a significantly lower median vitamin B₁₂ intake than controls (2.8 μg and 3.8 μg, P = 0.01). The CHD risk doubled if vitamin B₁₂ intake in these mothers reduced by 50% (OR 2.0; 95% CI: 1.1–3.5). Conclusions A diet low in vitamin B₁₂ is associated with an increased risk of a child with a CHD, especially in low educated women. A disbalance in the maternal intake of proteins and low folate intake may play a role as well, but needs further investigation. As hyperhomocysteinemia is a strong risk factor for adult cardiovascular disease, these data may imply that the hyperhomocysteinemic mothers and their children should be targeted for nutritional interventions.     

Assessment of Pre-Pregnancy Dietary Intake with a Food Frequency Questionnaire in Alberta Women

Purpose: Pre-pregnancy is an under-examined and potentially important time to optimize dietary intake to support fetal growth and development as well as maternal health. The purpose of the study was to determine the extent to which dietary intake reported by non-pregnant women is similar to pre-pregnancy dietary intake reported by pregnant women using the same assessment tool. Methods: The self-administered, semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) was adapted from the Canadian version of the Diet History Questionnaire, originally developed by the National Cancer Institute in the United States. Pregnant women (n = 98) completed the FFQ which assessed dietary intake for the year prior to pregnancy. Non-pregnant women (n = 103) completed the same FFQ which assessed dietary intake for the previous year. Energy, macronutrients, and key micronutrients: long-chain omega-3 fatty acids, folate, vitamin B₆, vitamin B₁₂, calcium, vitamin D and iron were examined. Results: Dietary intake between groups; reported with the FFQ; was similar except for saturated fat; trans fat; calcium; and alcohol. Pregnant women reported significantly higher intakes of saturated fat; trans fat; and calcium and lower intake of alcohol in the year prior to pregnancy compared to non-pregnant women who reported intake in the previous year. Conclusions: Despite limitations; a FFQ may be used to assist with retrospective assessment of pre-pregnancy dietary intake.