title: Adult thiamine requirements and the continuing need to fortify processed cereals.
abstract: Erythrocyte transketolase activity as measured by a new fluorimetric method was used to define the tissue thiamine status of an age-stratified sample of 42 adults. Concurrent 7-day dietary assessments were made. 26% of subjects (6/21 men, 5/21 women) were biochemically abnormal. Subjects who were biochemically normal had mean daily thiamine intakes that were 41% (for men) and 36% (for women) greater than those for biochemically abnormal subjects. Differences in absolute thiamine intake (mg/day) were greater and more significant (p = 0.007 and 0.005) than the corresponding differences in thiamine intake expressed as mg/1000 kcal (p = 0.04). Absolute daily thiamine requirement (1.22 mg for men, 1.03 mg for women) was more useful in predicting biochemical thiamine status than thiamine intake expressed as mg/1000 kcal. The withdrawal of thiamine fortification of processed cereals would have serious implications for public health.
authors.forename: S H
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Anderson
authors.forename: C A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Vickery
authors.forename: A D
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Nicol
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D002523:Edible Grain; D002149:Energy Intake; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000201:enzymology; D005260:Female; D005527:Food, Fortified; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009751:Nutritional Requirements; D013831:Thiamine / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D013835:Thiamine Pyrophosphate / Q000032:analysis; D014174:Transketolase / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D014174:Transketolase; D013835:Thiamine Pyrophosphate; D013831:Thiamine