Effect of vitamin E, vitamin C, and beta-carotene on stroke risk

In a recent prospective observational study, vitamins C and E and beta-carotene did not elicit protective effects on stroke risk. Lutein, however, may elicit such protection. Nevertheless, these nutrients may be important modulators of the outcome after the occurrence of a stroke. At present, optimal control of the classic stroke risk factors in combination with increased consumption of fruits, vegetables, and antioxidant nutrients may represent the safest and most efficient strategy to control stroke risk.     

Skin bioavailability of dietary vitamin E, carotenoids, polyphenols, vitamin C, zinc and selenium

Dietary bioactive compounds (vitamin E, carotenoids, polyphenols, vitamin C, Se and Zn) have beneficial effects on skin health. The classical route of administration of active compounds is by topical application direct to the skin, and manufacturers have substantial experience of formulating ingredients in this field. However, the use of functional foods and oral supplements for improving skin condition is increasing. For oral consumption, some dietary components could have an indirect effect on the skin via, for example, secondary messengers. However, in the case of the dietary bioactive compounds considered here, we assume that they must pass down the gastrointestinal tract, cross the intestinal barrier, reach the blood circulation, and then be distributed to the different tissues of the body including the skin. The advantages of this route of administration are that the dietary bioactive compounds are metabolized and then presented to the entire tissue, potentially in an active form. Also, the blood continuously replenishes the skin with these bioactive compounds, which can then be distributed to all skin compartments (i.e. epidermis, dermis, subcutaneous fat and also to sebum). Where known, the distribution and mechanisms of transport of dietary bioactive compounds in skin are presented. Even for compounds that have been studied well in other organs, information on skin is relatively sparse. Gaps in knowledge are identified and suggestions made for future research.     

Estimated intake and food sources of vitamin A, folate, vitamin C, vitamin E, calcium, iron, and zinc for Guamanian children aged 9 to 12

This study describes the nutrient intake and food sources of select vitamins and minerals for children on Guam. Food records (n = 954) from public school students aged nine to twelve of all regions on Guam were analyzed for nutrient content and compared to Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDA). Individual foods were condensed into 194 food aggregates and food lists representing 84% to 91% of the major vitamins and minerals in the diet of the children were developed by frequency analysis. Median intake of calcium, vitamin E, folate were less than 50% of the Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) and mean intake of these nutrients was 60% RDA or less. Mean and median vitamin A intake was 107% and 76% RDA, respectively. Both mean and median intake of Vitamin C, iron and zinc were present at levels above 100% RDA. Rice, meat, fruit drink from powder, milk, and fortified cereals are foods that provide substantial contributions to the vitamin and mineral content of the diets. Traditional, nutrient dense foods, such as fish, yams, papaya, and mango had minor contributions because of low frequently of consumption. Information from this study can be used to develop specific diet assessment instruments and culturally appropriate nutrition education.     

Association of hip fracture incidence and intake of calcium,magnesium, vitamin D,and vitamin K

Objective To analyze the association between hip fracture incidence in 12 regional blocks within Japan and dietary intake of four key nutrients: calcium, magnesium, vitamin D, and vitamin K. Design An ecological study. Methods Using data from the 2002 national survey on the incidence of hip fracture and the National Nutritional Survey of Japan, a standardized incidence ratio of hip fracture was calculated, and the association between the standardized incidence ratio and each nutritional intake was assessed for each region using Pearson’s correlation coefficient and partial correlation analysis. Results There were significant correlations between the standardized incidence ratio by region and magnesium, vitamin D, and vitamin K in both men and women, and calcium in women. The strongest inverse correlations were found in vitamin K in both men and women (r = −0.844, P = 0.001, and r = −0.834, P = 0.001, respectively). After adjusting for calcium, magnesium, and vitamin D, the partial correlation between the standardized incidence ratio by regional block and vitamin K was strongest in both men and women (partial correlation coefficient, pcc = −0.673, P = 0.04; pcc = −0.575, P = 0.106, respectively). Conclusions The significant correlation between hip fracture incidence and vitamin K intake, and also regional variations in food patterns, suggest that increasing intake of vegetables and legumes might lead to a decrease in hip fracture incidence in the future. Further, this study suggests that a review of the dietary reference value of vitamin K from the perspective of osteoporosis would be useful.     

Alcohol, vitamin A, and cancer.

Chronic and excessive alcohol intake is associated with an increased risk of a variety of cancers (e.g., oral cavity, larynx, esophagus, liver, lung, colorectal, and breast). Retinoids (vitamin A and its derivatives) are known to exert profound effects on cellular growth, cellular differentiation, and apoptosis, thereby controlling carcinogenesis. Lower hepatic vitamin A levels have been well documented in alcoholics. Substantial research has been done, investigating the mechanisms by which excessive alcohol interferes with retinoid metabolism. More specifically, (1) alcohol acts as a competitive inhibitor of vitamin A oxidation to retinoic acid involving alcohol dehydrogenases and acetaldehyde dehydrogenases; (2) alcohol-induced cytochrome P450 enzymes (CYP), particularly CYP2E1, enhance catabolism of vitamin A and retinoic acid; and (3) alcohol alters retinoid homeostasis by increasing vitamin A mobilization from liver to extrahepatic tissues. As a consequence, long-term and excessive alcohol intake results in impaired status of retinoic acid, the most active derivative of vitamin A and a ligand for both retinoic acid receptors and retinoid X receptors. Moreover, this alcohol-impaired retinoic acid homeostasis interferes with (1) retinoic acid signaling (e.g., down-regulates retinoid target gene expression) and (2) retinoic acid "cross-talk" with the mitogen-activated protein kinase [(MAPK), including Jun N-terminal kinase, extracellular signal-regulated kinase, and p38 kinase] signaling pathway. In addition, restoration of retinoic acid homeostasis by retinoic acid supplementation restored the normal status of both retinoid and MAPK signaling, thereby maintaining normal cell proliferation and apoptosis in alcohol-fed animals. These observations would have implications for the prevention of alcohol-promoted liver (and peripheral tissue) carcinogenesis. However, a better understanding of the alcohol-retinoid interaction and the molecular mechanisms involved is needed before retinoids can be pursued in the prevention of alcohol-related carcinogenesis in human beings, particularly regarding the detrimental effects of polar metabolites of vitamin A.     

蔬菜维生素B_1、维生素B_2保留因子的研究

目的通过比较不同蔬菜、不同烹调方法间维生素B1、维生素B2保留因子(RF)的差异,探讨影响蔬菜维生素B1、维生素B2保留因子的因素。方法选取了常见的12种蔬菜,以炒、炖、炸、蒸、焯、盐腌的方法进行烹调,分别记录烹调前后的重量,采用GB/T5009.84-2003荧光法、GB/T5009.85-2003荧光法分别测定烹调前后维生素B1、维生素B2含量,计算出相应的重量保留因子(保留率)和维生素B1、维生素B2保留因子(保留率)。结果鲜豆类蔬菜,维生素B1的保留率大多在66%~75%之间,维生素B2的保留率在85%~90%之间。焯不论对于根茎类还是叶菜类都会造成维生素B1的较大损失,损失率为50%。对于叶菜类,焯同样会造成维生素B2较大损失,RF的均值为50,明显低于炒青菜(P<0.05)。根茎类和茄果类蔬菜在炒的烹调方式下维生素B2的RF值在77~79之间。结论焯会造成较大的维生素B1、维生素B2损失,炒的维生素B1、维生素B2保留率较高;烹调方法、蔬菜的品种是影响维生素保留因子的重要因素。     

Dietary sources of vitamin C, vitamin E and specific carotenoids in Spain

A cross-sectional study was conducted within the Spanish cohort of the European Prospective Investigation in Cancer and Nutrition to assess the principal food sources of vitamin C, vitamin E, alpha-carotene, beta-carotene, lycopene, lutein, beta-cryptoxanthin and zeaxanthin in an adult Spanish population. The study included 41446 healthy volunteers (25812 women and 15634 men), aged 29-69 years, from three Spanish regions in the north (Asturias, Navarra and Guipúzcoa) and two in the south (Murcia and Granada). Usual food intake was estimated by personal interview through a computerized version of a dietary history questionnaire. Foods that provided at least two-thirds of the studied nutrients were: fruits (mainly oranges) (51 %) and fruiting vegetables (mainly tomato and sweet pepper) (20 %) for vitamin C; vegetable oils (sunflower and olive) (40 %), non-citrus fruits (10 %), and nuts and seeds (8 %) for vitamin E; root vegetables (carrots) (82 %) for alpha-carotene; green leafy (28 %), root (24 %) and fruiting vegetables (22 %) for beta-carotene; fruiting vegetables (fresh tomato) (72 %) for lycopene; green leafy vegetables (64 %) for lutein; citrus fruits (68 %) for beta-cryptoxanthin; citrus fruits (43 %) and green leafy vegetables (20 %) for zeaxanthin. In conclusion, the main food sources of nutrients with redox properties have been identified in a Mediterranean country. This could provide an insight into the interpretation of epidemiological studies investigating the role of diet in health and disease.     

Vitamin E, vitamin B-6, vitamin B-12, and folate status of gastric bypass surgery patients

The vitamin E, vitamin B-6, vitamin B-12, and folate status of 22 gastric bypass subjects aged 23 to 60 years was evaluated before surgery and at 6 and 12 months after surgery. Before surgery, 77% of subjects had adequate plasma vitamin E levels; 36%, adequate plasma pyridoxal phosphate levels; 100%, adequate plasma vitamin B-12 levels; and 45%, adequate plasma folate levels. The food intake of all subjects was sharply reduced after surgery. After surgery, subjects were classified into three vitamin supplement groups on the basis of average daily vitamin supplement intake. Subjects taking higher levels of supplements containing the vitamins in question had significantly higher plasma concentrations of the vitamins than those taking low or moderate levels. The mean plasma vitamin values in the moderate supplement group were indicative of adequate status for all vitamins, but plasma vitamin B-12 levels at 12 months post-surgery were significantly lower than pre-surgery levels. In the low supplement group, mean plasma vitamin levels were in or near marginal or deficient ranges. The majority of subjects consuming supplements of vitamin E, vitamin B-6, and folate near the US RDA maintained normal vitamin status. Subjects taking more than 100 micrograms vitamin B-12 daily had adequate vitamin B-12 status. Significant correlations (r = .67 to .94) were observed between vitamin supplement levels and the respective plasma vitamin concentrations.     

Serum selenium, vitamin A, vitamin E and cholesterol concentrations in Finnish and Japanese postmenopausal women

Serum concentrations of vitamins A and E, selenium, and cholesterol were measured in 30 Finnish and 30 Japanese postmenopausal women. While both groups had identical serum vitamin A levels, the other serum factors differed significantly between the groups, the Finns having higher serum vitamin E and cholesterol and lower serum selenium levels. Adjusted to serum cholesterol, which correlated significantly with vitamin E in both groups, the vitamin E levels were, however, similar in the groups. The differences in the serum levels of these nutritional factors may be associated with the differences in the risk of coronary heart disease and cancer between Finnish and Japanese populations.