Plasma vitamins A, C and E in the general population of Singapore, 1993 to 1995.
The National University of Singapore Heart Study measured cardiovascular risk factors, including selected plasma vitamins, on a random sample of the general population aged 30 to 69 years. Plasma vitamins A and E were normal and similar by ethnic group. Mean plasma vitamin A levels were: Chinese (males 0.68 and females 0.52 mg/L), Malays (males 0.67 and females 0.54 mg/L), and Indians (males 0.66 and females 0.51 mg/L). Mean plasma vitamin E levels were: Chinese (males 12.6 and females 12.6 mg/L), Malays (males 13.6 and females 13.3 mg/L), and Indians (males 12.9 and females 12.8 mg/L). No person had plasma vitamin A deficiency (< 0.01 mg/L) and only 0.1% had vitamin E deficiency (< 5.0 mg/L). In contrast, plasma vitamin C was on the low side and higher in Chinese than Malays and Indians. Mean plasma vitamin C levels were: Chinese (males 6.3 and females 8.4 mg/L), Malays (males 5.1 and females 6.4 mg/L), and Indians (males 5.7 and females 6.9 mg/L). Likewise, the proportions with plasma vitamin C deficiency (< 2.0 mg/L) were lower in Chinese (males 14.4 and females 0.7%), than Malays (males 19.7 and females 7.2%), and Indians (males 17.8 and females 11.0%). Relatively low levels of plasma vitamin C may contribute to the high rates of coronary heart disease and cancer in Singapore. In particular, lower plasma vitamin C in Malays and Indians than Chinese may contribute to their higher rates of coronary heart disease. However, plasma vitamin C does not seem to be involved in the higher rates of cancer in Chinese than Malays and Indians. The findings suggest a relatively low intake of fresh fruits and a higher intake is recommended. Also, food sources of vitamin C may be destroyed by the high cooking temperatures of local cuisines, especially the Malay and Indian ones.
Hughes
K
K
Department of Community, Occupational and Family Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore.
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Lee
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D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001205:Ascorbic Acid / Q000097:blood*; D001206:Ascorbic Acid Deficiency / Q000097:blood; D002681:China / Q000208:ethnology; D003296:Cooking; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000209:etiology; D005006:Ethnicity; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D005638:Fruit; D006331:Heart Diseases / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D007194:India / Q000208:ethnology; D008296:Malaysia / Q000208:ethnology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000209:etiology; D012307:Risk Factors; D012846:Singapore; D012907:Smoking / Q000097:blood; D014801:Vitamin A / Q000097:blood*; D014810:Vitamin E / Q000097:blood*; D014811:Vitamin E Deficiency / Q000097:blood
D014801:Vitamin A; D014810:Vitamin E; D001205:Ascorbic Acid