Relationship between high consumption of marine fatty acids in early pregnancy and hypertensive disorders in pregnancy.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether there is a relationship between maternal intake of cod-liver oil in early and late pregnancy and hypertensive disorders in pregnancy. DESIGN: An observational prospective study. SETTING: Free-living conditions in a community with traditional fish and cod-liver oil consumption. POPULATION: Four hundred and eighty-eight low-risk pregnant Icelandic women. METHODS: Maternal use of cod-liver oil, foods and other supplements was estimated with a semiquantitative food frequency questionnaire covering food intake together with lifestyle factors for the previous 3 months. Questionnaires were filled out twice, between 11 and 15 weeks of gestation and between 34 and 37 weeks of gestation. Supplements related to hypertensive disorders in pregnancy, i.e. gestational hypertension and pre-eclampsia, were presented, with logistic regression controlling for potential confounding. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Gestational hypertension, pre-eclampsia, cod-liver oil and multivitamins. RESULTS: The odds ratio for developing hypertensive disorders in pregnancy for women consuming liquid cod-liver oil was 4.7 (95% CI 1.8-12.6, P= 0.002), after adjusting for confounding factors. By dividing the amount of n-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 LCPUFA) into centiles, the odds ratio for hypertensive disorders across groups for n-3 LCPUFA suggested a u-shaped curve (P = 0.008). Similar results were found for gestational hypertension alone. Further, the use of multivitamin supplements without vitamins A and D in late pregnancy doubled the odds of hypertensive disorders (OR 2.4, 95% CI 1.0-5.4, P= 0.044). CONCLUSIONS: Consumption of high doses of n-3 LCPUFA in early pregnancy, or other nutrients found in liquid cod-liver oil, may increase the risk of developing hypertensive disorders in pregnancy.

Intake of fatty acids in western Europe with emphasis on trans fatty acids: the TRANSFAIR Study.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the intake of trans fatty acids (TFA) and other fatty acids in 14 Western European countries. DESIGN AND SUBJECTS: A maximum of 100 foods per country were sampled and centrally analysed. Each country calculated the intake of individual trans and other fatty acids, clusters of fatty acids and total fat in adults and/or the total population using the best available national food consumption data set. RESULTS: A wide variation was observed in the intake of total fat and (clusters) of fatty acids in absolute amounts. The variation in proportion of energy derived from total fat and from clusters of fatty acids was less. Only in Finland, Italy, Norway and Portugal total fat did provide on average less than 35% of energy intake. Saturated fatty acids (SFA) provided on average between 10% and 19% of total energy intake, with the lowest contribution in most Mediterranean countries. TFA intake ranged from 0.5% (Greece, Italy) to 2.1% (Iceland) of energy intake among men and from 0.8% (Greece) to 1.9% among women (Iceland) (1.2-6.7 g/d and 1.7-4.1 g/d, respectively). The TFA intake was lowest in Mediterranean countries (0.5-0.8 en%) but was also below 1% of energy in Finland and Germany. Moderate intakes were seen in Belgium, The Netherlands, Norway and UK and highest intake in Iceland. Trans isomers of C18:1 were the most TFA in the diet. Monounsaturated fatty acids contributed 9-12% of mean daily energy intake (except for Greece, nearly 18%) and polyunsaturated fatty acids 3-7%. CONCLUSION: The current intake of TFA in most Western European countries does not appear to be a reason for major concern. In several countries a considerable proportion of energy was derived from SFA. It would therefore be prudent to reduce intake of all cholesterol-raising fatty acids, TFA included.

[Vitamin D intake and serum 25-OH-vitamin D concentration in different age groups of Icelandic women.].

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the vitamin D intake and serum concentrations of 25-OH-vitamin D (25-OH-D) in different age groups of Icelandic women. The seasonal variation of 25-OH-D and its relationship with parathyroid hormone (PTH) level was evaluated but some studies have indicated that subclinical vitamin D deficiency may lead to osteoporosis because of secondary elevations of parathyroid hormone levels and subsequent bone mineral release. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 25-OH-D was measured (RIA, Incstar) in serum from the following age groups of women; 12-15 years (n=325), 16, 18 and 20 years (n=247), 25 years (n=86), 34-48 years (n=107) and in 70 years old (n=308). PTH (IRMA, Nichols) was measured only in the 70 years old. vitamin D intake was assessed by a standardized food frequency questionnaire. The seasonal variation of 25-OH-D was evaluated in the age group 12-15 years and 70 years old. RESULTS: In the different age groups the 25-OH-D concentration was positively correlated to vitamin D intake (r=0.2-0.54; p<0.05). The mean concentration of 25-OH-D in 12-15 years old was 34.6+/-22 nmol/L compared to 53.9120 nmol/L in the 70 years old, p<0.01. The levels of the other age groups were in between. A marked seasonal variation in 25-OH-D was obser notved in the 12-15 years old with low vitamin D intake whereas only a slight seasonal variation was noted in the 70 years old with a mean vitamin D intake of 15 ug/day. CONCLUSIONS: The vitamin D status amongst 70 years old women in Iceland is good because of common intake of codliveroil and vitamin D supplements (83%). The desirable level for 25-OH-D in this age group seems to be around 50 nmol/L and this level is achieved by the intake of 15-20 ug/day (600-800 units) of vitamin D. Vitamin D deficiency is however common amongst 12-15 years old during late winter. Low serum 25-OH-D levels are also common amongst the other age groups studied during late winter. From the results it seems reasonable to recommend that foods like milk should be fortified with vitamin D in Iceland, especially during winter time.