title: Serum vitamin E concentration and osmotic fragility in female long-distance runners.
abstract: The objective of this study was to assess the nutritional adequacy of sub-elite runners with irregular menstrual function (n=10) and that of a comparable group of runners with regular menstrual function (n=10), with a special focus on vitamin E. Based on 3 days' records of weighed dietary intake, the mean energy intakes of micro- and macronutrients were estimated. Both estimated daily energy intake (irregular: 9.9+/-0.4 MJ; regular: 12.2+/-0.7 MJ; mean+/-sx) and intake of dietary fat (irregular: 61+/-6 g; regular: 98+/-12 g) were lower in athletes with irregular menstrual function than in athletes with regular menstrual function (P=0.01). Estimated intake of vitamin E was below recommended values in both groups. Serum concentrations of alpha-tocopherol were used to evaluate vitamin E status, which were normal in athletes with regular menstrual function (27.3+/-3.6 micromol.l(-1)) but below normal values in athletes with irregular menstrual function (15.7+/-0.8 micromol.l(-1); P=0.01). Furthermore, post-exercise osmotic fragility in red blood cells was inversely related to resting alpha-tocopherol concentrations. Our results indicate that irregular menstrual function in athletes on a low-fat diet is associated with low concentrations of circulating alpha-tocopherol, rendering the red blood cells more susceptible to haemolysis in connection with physical activity.
authors.affiliation: Physical Performance, The Norwegian School of Sport Sciences, Oslo, Norway. sissel.tomten@nih.no
authors.forename: Sissel E
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Tomten
authors.forename: Arne T
authors.initials: AT
authors.lastname: Høstmark
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D004032:Diet; D018752:Diet, Fat-Restricted / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004041:Dietary Fats; D002149:Energy Intake; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D006461:Hemolysis / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D008599:Menstruation Disturbances / Q000097:blood / Q000209:etiology*; D009996:Osmotic Fragility / Q000502:physiology*; D012420:Running / Q000502:physiology*; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood; D014810:Vitamin E / Q000008:administration & dosage; D014811:Vitamin E Deficiency / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications*; D014815:Vitamins / Q000008:administration & dosage; D024502:alpha-Tocopherol / Q000097:blood*
chemical_list: D004041:Dietary Fats; D014280:Triglycerides; D014815:Vitamins; D014810:Vitamin E; D002784:Cholesterol; D024502:alpha-Tocopherol