title: A Systematic Review of Global Alpha-Tocopherol Status as Assessed by Nutritional Intake Levels and Blood Serum Concentrations.
abstract: The purpose of this study is to systematically review the published literature reporting vitamin E intake levels and serum concentrations in order to obtain a global overview of α-tocopherol status. Articles published between 2000 and 2012 were considered; 176 articles referring to 132 single studies were included. Applying an RDA (recommended daily allowance) of 15 mg/day and EAR (estimated average requirement) of 12 mg/day to all populations with a minimum age of 14 years, 82 and 61 % of mean and median data points were below the RDA and the EAR, respectively. Regarding serum concentrations, globally 13 % of the included data points were below the functional deficiency threshold concentration of 12 µmol/L, mostly for newborns and children. Several prospective observational studies suggest that a serum α-tocopherol concentration of ≥30 µmol/L has beneficial effects on human health. Of the reported study populations and subpopulations, only 21 % reached this threshold globally. This systematic review suggests that the α-tocopherol status is inadequate in a substantial part of the studied populations.
authors.affiliation: 1 DSM Nutritional Products Ltd., Kaiseraugst, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Szabolcs
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Péter
authors.affiliation: 1 DSM Nutritional Products Ltd., Kaiseraugst, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Angelika
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Friedel
authors.affiliation: 1 DSM Nutritional Products Ltd., Kaiseraugst, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Franz F
authors.initials: FF
authors.lastname: Roos
authors.affiliation: 1 DSM Nutritional Products Ltd., Kaiseraugst, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Adrian
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Wyss
authors.affiliation: 1 DSM Nutritional Products Ltd., Kaiseraugst, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Manfred
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Eggersdorfer
authors.affiliation: 2 Mannheim Institute of Public Health, Social and Preventive Medicine, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany.
authors.forename: Kristina
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hoffmann
authors.affiliation: 1 DSM Nutritional Products Ltd., Kaiseraugst, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Weber
keywords: alpha-tocopherol; global; intake; serum; status; vitamin E