Vitamin E status and its dietary determinants in Taiwanese--results of the Nutrition and Health Survey in Taiwan 1993-1996.
BACKGROUND
A large proportion of Taiwanese are considered to have inadequate vitamin E intake according to Taiwanese RDA.


OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the vitamin E status in Taiwan using biochemical indicators, and to examine the influences of dietary factors.


METHODS
The Nutrition and Health Survey in Taiwan 1993-1996 was conducted using a multi-stage sampling scheme. Data of 3614 subjects (1728 males, and 1886 females) aged 4 years and above were included in the current analysis.


RESULTS
Females had higher levels of serum alpha-tocopherol than males. Serum level of alpha-tocopherol significantly increased with age and blood lipids (p < 0.001). The prevalence rate of deficiency, assessed by the ratio of serum alpha-tocopherol to cholesterol+triglyceride(TG) < 1.59 micromol/mmol, was 1.4 % for Taiwanese aged 4 and above. The prevalence was 1.02 % for adults. This biochemical profile was superior in women compared to men. The age-serum vitamin E status was U-shaped, being poorest in teenagers. Geographical variation in vitamin E/cholesterol+TG ratio was not apparent across regions. An association was observed between serum vitamin E status and frequency of vitamin E supplements, fresh fruits, and 100 % fruit juices. An association was also seen with dietary intakes of vitamin C and vitamin E assessed by 24-hour recall.


CONCLUSIONS
The prevalence rate of vitamin E deficiency in Taiwan was low. An association was observed between serum vitamin E status and dietary vitamins E and C intakes either from foods or supplements.
Kang
Mei-Jyh
MJ
N141 Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Academia Sinica, #128 Academy Rd. Sec. 2, Taipei, 11529, Taiwan.
Lin
Yi-Chin
YC
Yeh
Wen-Hui
WH
Pan
Wen-Harn
WH
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D015930:Diet Records; D005260:Female; D005602:France / Q000453:epidemiology; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D016014:Linear Models; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009749:Nutrition Surveys; D009752:Nutritional Status / Q000502:physiology; D017678:Sex Distribution; D013624:Taiwan / Q000453:epidemiology; D014810:Vitamin E / Q000097:blood*; D014811:Vitamin E Deficiency / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology*
D015415:Biomarkers; D008055:Lipids; D014810:Vitamin E