Vitamin A and E content in dairy products: their contribution to the recommended dietary allowances (RDA) for elderly people.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the vitamin A, E and individual carotenoid content in dairy products and to assess their potential contribution to Recommended Dietary Intakes in elderly persons.


METHODS
Dairy products frequently consumed were analyzed: whole, semi-skimmed and skimmed milk, vitamin-fortified milk, dry powder milk, yoghourt, cream, smelted and grated cheese, custard, butter, margarine and dairy-based probiotic products. Analysis were performed by HPLC as previously described. Accuracy and precision were assessed using Reference / Certified Materials.


RESULTS
Vitamin A occurs as ester forms (mostly retinyl palmitate) whereas vitamin E is present as free form (mainly a-tocopherol). In supplemmented / fortified products they are added as ester forms, namely retinyl and tocopheryl acetate, respectively. b-carotene was the only carotenoid quantifiable in most products. Based on recommended intakes for dairy products in Spain, the consumption of three standard portions / day provide about 16% and 3% of the RDI for vitamin A (1000 ug/d) and E (15 mg/d), respectively. The same consumption but using fortified/ supplemented milk and yoghourt, may increase the contribution up to 39% (vitamin A) and 24% (vitamin E) of the RDI for elderly subjects.


CONCLUSIONS
The inclusion of fortified dairy products in the diet may be a practical, sustainable and cost-effective approach for improving vitamin intake and status in the elderly.
Herrero
C
C
Unidad de Vitaminas, Clinica Puerta de Hierro, C/ San Martin de Porres, 4. Madrid 28035, Spain.
Granado
F
F
Blanco
I
I
Olmedilla
B
B
D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000032:analysis; D001682:Biological Availability; D002338:Carotenoids / Q000032:analysis; D003611:Dairy Products / Q000032:analysis*; D005260:Female; D005527:Food, Fortified / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D018673:Nutrition Policy; D009751:Nutritional Requirements; D013030:Spain; D014801:Vitamin A / Q000032:analysis*; D014810:Vitamin E / Q000032:analysis*
D000975:Antioxidants; D014801:Vitamin A; D014810:Vitamin E; D002338:Carotenoids