[Assessment of medical students' intake of antioxidants and vitamins essential for homocysteine metabolism].
The main death cause in Western countries, as well as in Poland, is cardiovascular diseases based on atherosclerosis. Epidemiological studies have shown that low intake of some vitamins might be associated with cardiovascular disease. The most important are antioxidant vitamins (A, E, C) and vitamins essential in homocysteine metabolism (B6, B12 and folate). The objective was to assess the vitamin dietary intake of the fourth year Warsaw Medical University students and compare it to the Warsaw population data from the Pol-Monica Bis study. A random sample of 182 medical students (125 women and 57 men) was analysed using a computer programme FOOD 3.0 and the photo album of the food products and dishes. It was observed that the vitamin daily intake of medical students was lower than recommended vitamin's values: folic acid--women 67%, men 68%, vitamin C--women 41%, men 56%, vitamin E--women 34%, men 63%, vitamin B6--women 36%, men 39%, vitamin A--women 21%, men 28%, vitamin B12--women 14%, men 9%. The intake of mentioned vitamins was also lower in comparison with the intake in the Warsaw population. In conclusion, the medical students' intake of antioxidants and essential in homocysteine metabolism vitamins is below recommended values, so the education as for as human nutrition and prevention of cardiovascular diseases are concerned are strongly advised.
Kłosiewicz-Latoszek
Longina
L
Zakładu Higieny Instytutu Medycyny Społecznej Akademii Medycznej, Poradni Chorób Metabolicznych Instytutu Zywności i Zywienia w Warszawie. higiena@amwaw.edu.pl
Ziółkowska
Anna
A
D000328:Adult; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D001205:Ascorbic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004032:Diet; D004034:Diet Surveys; D005247:Feeding Behavior / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D005492:Folic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005518:Food Preferences / Q000523:psychology; D015438:Health Behavior; D006266:Health Education / Q000379:methods; D006710:Homocysteine / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009749:Nutrition Surveys; D011044:Poland; D013337:Students, Medical / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D014805:Vitamin B 12 / Q000008:administration & dosage; D025101:Vitamin B 6 / Q000008:administration & dosage; D014810:Vitamin E / Q000008:administration & dosage; D014815:Vitamins / Q000008:administration & dosage*
D000975:Antioxidants; D014815:Vitamins; D006710:Homocysteine; D014810:Vitamin E; D025101:Vitamin B 6; D005492:Folic Acid; D014805:Vitamin B 12; D001205:Ascorbic Acid