title: Vitamin status of high altitude (3660 m) acclimatized human subjects during consumption of tinned rations.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To find out the nutritional status of sea-level residents acclimated to an altitude of 3660 m with respect to vitamin and nutrient requirements while consuming fresh and tinned rations.
  
  
  METHODS
  Initially, high altitude acclimatized human subjects (n = 40) were evaluated for their general nutritional status along with energy intake and expenditure and physical fitness score while they were on fresh rations. Thereafter, subjects were fed tinned rations in two groups of 20 each. Of the two groups, one group had vitamin supplementation and the other was without any vitamin supplementation for 30 days. Thereafter, all the variables were studied once again.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Daily total energy intake when subjects consumed fresh and tinned rations was 19.087 +/- 0.347 MJ and 19.417 +/- 0.342 MJ, respectively, whereas the total energy expenditure was 15.705 +/- 1.054 MJ per day for both the groups. After consuming tinned rations for 30 days, the placebo group showed a significant (P < .01) decrease in levels of plasma vitamin A and erythrocyte trans-ketolase activity (a marker of thiamin status) in comparison to the status when subjects were on fresh rations. However, levels of these variables were well within acceptable range. Subjects maintained their body weights and physical fitness scores. No clinical deficiency was seen after consuming tinned rations for 30 days.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The study indicates that no additional vitamin supplementation is required at high altitude after acclimatization when consuming fresh rations and at least for 30 days when consuming tinned rations.
authors.affiliation: Nutrition Division, Defence Institute of Physiology and Allied Sciences, Timarpur, Delhi, India.
authors.forename: Kadambi
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Sridharan
authors.forename: Srirangachari
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ranganathan
authors.forename: Ajoy K
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Mukherjee
authors.forename: Manmohan L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Kumria
authors.forename: Praveen
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Vats
mesh_terms: D000064:Acclimatization / Q000502:physiology*; D000328:Adult; D000531:Altitude; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000201:enzymology*; D005502:Food; D005519:Food Preservation; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009752:Nutritional Status; D014815:Vitamins / Q000097:blood*
chemical_list: D014815:Vitamins