Vitamin status of healthy subjects in Burgundy (France).

A nutrition survey was conducted in Burgundy (France) with a population sample of 337 middle-aged and healthy subjects (157 males and 180 females) recruited at a health examination center in 1985-1986. The status of beta-carotene, thiamin, riboflavin, folate, vitamin B6, B12, C, A, D, and E was assessed by means of 7-day food records and biochemical studies. Results were compared with two other recent nutritional surveys conducted in France: ESVITAF (control group only) and Val de Marne surveys. The dietary information collected for each subject was compared to the 1992 French Recommended Dietary Allowances (FRDA). Dietary vitamin intakes were higher in males than in females. Low vitamin intakes (< 1/2 FRDA) were found in 5% of males and 7% of females for thiamin, in 11% of males and 28% of females for vitamin B6, in 6% of males and 3% of females for vitamin C, in 87% of males and 91% of females for vitamin D, and in 8% of males and 13% of females for vitamin E. No subject had a vitamin intake < 1/2 FRDA for riboflavin, folate, vitamins A and B12. ESVITAF and Val de Marne studies also show low vitamin intakes for vitamin B6, thiamin, riboflavin, vitamins D and E. Biochemical status was examined using erythrocyte enzyme function and blood vitamin levels. The percent of subjects with deficient biochemical values was high for vitamin B6 (15% of all males and 20% of all females), and vitamin D (13% of all males, and 15% of all females). With regard to thiamin, riboflavin, vitamin C, folate, vitamin B12, vitamin A, and vitamin E, < 5% of subjects had values in the range of major vitamin deficiency. However, in both genders, except for vitamin C and vitamin A (only for females), low values corresponding to a moderate risk of vitamin deficiency was high for most vitamins. The incidence of a severe deficient vitamin status for thiamin and riboflavin was higher in Val de Marne than in Burgundy, or ESVITAF. In Val de Marne, the probability of a moderate risk of vitamin deficiency was high for thiamin, riboflavin, vitamin B6, vitamin A and vitamin E. Our results (as other studies performed in France and in other industrialized countries) raise the issue of the health significance of marginally deficient vitamin status.

Riboflavin and pyridoxine status in a group of pregnant Mexican women

In order to assess the nutritional status of riboflavin and pyridoxine during pregnancy, 24 Mexican women were studied during the second trimester and 17 during the third trimester of gestation. The biochemical evaluation of the riboflavin and pyridoxine status was performed by measuring the activation coefficients (AC) of the erythrocyte glutathione reductase (eGR) and aspartate aminotranferase (eAAT), respectively. Dietary protein, riboflavin, thiamin, and calcium intake decreased significantly in the last trimester of gestation. The women presented biochemical deficiency of pyridoxine in the second and third trimester of pregnancy, but they developed biochemical deficiency of riboflavin and pyridoxine deficiency. None showed clincial signg of vitamin deficiency. No significant correlation was found between individual serum concentrations of estradiol or progesterone and eGR-AC or eAAT-AC in both trimesters of pregnancy. Six newborns studied showed normal eGR-AC and eAAT-AC

Zinc, vitamin B-6, and other nutrients in pregnant women attending prenatal clinics in Mexico.

Biochemical measurements and 24-h dietary recalls were conducted early (18.9 +/- 5.9 wk) and late (35.1 +/- 2.0 wk) in pregnancy in women attending clinics in Montemorelos, Mexico. Mean weight gain per week (0.4 +/- 0.2 kg) and birth weight (3381 +/- 456 g) were normal. Intakes tended to decline during pregnancy and declined significantly for zinc (p less than 0.05) and vitamin B-6 (p less than 0.03). Mean Zn intake late in pregnancy was low (7.8 +/- 3.3 mg/d). Various supplements were taken but none contained Zn. During pregnancy mean plasma Zn levels fell (p less than 0.001) and late in pregnancy 57% of the women had values suggestive of poor Zn status (less than or equal to 8.1 mumol/L). These data indicate that Zn intakes of approximately 8 mg/d will not maintain plasma Zn levels in late pregnancy. Erythrocyte glutamic-pyruvic transaminase (EGPT) index and the index of diamine oxidase (DAO), a vitamin B-6-requiring enzyme of placental origin, were correlated suggesting that DAO index may be useful in evaluating vitamin B-6 status in pregnancy.

PIP: Biochemical measurements and 24 hour dietary recalls were conducted early (18.9 +0- 5.9 weeks) and late (35.1 +or- 2.0 weeks) in pregnancy in women attending clinics in Montemorelos, Mexico. Mean weight gain per week (0.4 +or- 0.2 kg) and birth weight (3381 +or- 456 grams) were normal. Intakes tended to decline during pregnancy and declined significantly for zinc (p 0.05) and vitamin B-6 (p 0.03). Mean zinc intake late in pregnancy was low (7.8 +or- 3.3 mg/d). Various supplements were taken but none contained zinc. During pregnancy mean plasma zinc levels fell (p 0.001) and late in pregnancy 57% of the women had values suggestive of poor zinc status (or= 8.1 micromoles/liter). These data indicate that zinc intakes of approximately 8 mg/d will not maintain plasma zinc levels in late pregnancy. Erythrocyte glutamic-pyruvic transaminase (EGPT) index and the index of diamine oxidase (DAO), a vitamin B-6-requiring enzyme of placental origin, were correlated suggesting that DAO index may be useful in evaluating vitamin B-6 status in pregnancy.

A preliminary study of circulating vitamins in a Puerto Rican migrant farm population in New Jersey.

A preliminary survey of circulating vitamin B12 biotin, folate, thiamin, riboflavin, vitamin B6, pantothenate, nicotinate, and vitamin A & B-carotene of 53 Puerto Rican migrant farm workers was undertaken. Results indicate that hypovitaminemia existed particularly for vitamin B12, vitamin B6 and vitamin A.