Seasonal variation of vitamin A (retinol) status in older men and women.

OBJECTIVE: The present study was undertaken to determine vitamin A status in 59 free-living (26 males, 33 females) healthy older persons (65-74 years) in winter and summer. DESIGN: Three-day dietary intake data for vitamin A along with carbohydrate, lipid and protein were collected during the summer (June-September) and again during the winter (November-March). In addition, retinol and its carrier proteins, retinol-binding protein (RBP) and transthyretin (TTR), were measured in the plasma in each season. RESULTS: The mean vitamin A intake met the Canadian Recommended Intake (RNI) for both gender and season. However, probability analysis of dietary data revealed that 7 and 11% of males, and 8 and 14% of females, in summer and winter, respectively, were at risk of deficiency. None of the subjects in the present study exhibited biochemical evidence of vitamin A deficiency as determined by plasma levels of retinol and its transport proteins. Overall, the mean intake of vitamin A was significantly higher in males than in females; no seasonal effect was observed. On the other hand, the plasma levels of retinol and its carrier proteins were significantly lower in winter season than in summer, without any gender variation effect. CONCLUSION: Although mean values for dietary intake and plasma concentration of vitamin A may indicate nutritional adequacy, a small proportion of an older population may be at nutritional risk. The prevalence of risk appears to be generally higher in the winter than in the summer season and in females than in males.

Vitamin B12 and folate status of a selected group of free-living older persons.

Vitamin B12 and folate status was determined in 50 male and 47 female free-living subjects (65-77 years) in winter and summer. The mean intake calculated from 3-day food records met the Canadian recommended intake (RNI) for both gender and season, however, probability analysis of dietary data revealed a number of subjects at risk of deficiency. Although the mean plasma levels were within the acceptable range for both vitamins, some 9 to 14% of individual subjects had folate plasma levels below normal. Fewer subjects had subnormal plasma vitamin B12 levels. Although mean values for dietary intake and plasma concentration of folate and vitamin B12 may indicate nutritional adequacy, a proportion of an older population may be at nutritional risk.

Dental health status and treatment needs of elderly residents of Edmonton, Alberta.

The oral health of 140 independent elderly volunteers, selected from different sections of Edmonton, Alberta, was assessed in conjunction with their nutritional and medical status, in an attempt to evaluate the dental needs of this population. Dental caries was assessed using WHO standards and the CPITN was used in assessing periodontal and gingival health needs. The mean age of the participants was 70.9 +/- 2.6 years. The average time since they had last seen a dentist was 3.0 +/- 6.2 years. Twenty-six percent of the group were edentulous and wore full dentures. An evaluation of denture hygiene and retention showed that 53 per cent of all maxillary and 57 per cent of all mandibular appliances exhibited poor hygiene; 33 per cent and 54 per cent, respectively, had problems with retention and/or occlusion. Only 12 per cent of the group exhibited any sort of mucosal pathology, all of which was related to ill fitting dentures. The total population had a mean of 15.0 +/- 11.1 teeth, only 0.5 of these were decayed, while 8.9 were restored. CPITN scores taken from a total of 511 sextants with standing teeth showed that 16 per cent of the group exhibited bleeding upon probing, 29 per cent had calculus, 13 per cent exhibited pocketing, while 3.6 per cent had deep pockets. Sixty-seven per cent of the population required dental treatment, none of whom needed emergency intervention. Over 49 per cent of the dentate population could benefit from prophylaxis; 16 per cent required more definitive periodontal treatment. Forty-five per cent of the denture population required treatment.

Age-related olfactory and taste changes and interrelationships between taste and nutrition.

This article critically reviews the literature on age-related olfactory and taste changes and the interrelationships between nutrition and taste. Age-related taste alterations are controversial, but there is consensus on an olfactory decline with age. Much of the age-related chemoreceptive research has used inappropriate methodology, thus leaving many findings inconclusive. Changes in the taste system with age may be related to nutrient intake, which in turn can be influenced by taste. Literature on such interrelationships is limited. Vitamins A, thiamin, B-6, B-12, folacin, zinc, and copper are thought to influence taste function. Moreover, those nutrients are of concern in the aged. The use of appropriate methodology is critical not only for the sensory but also for the nutritional aspects, particularly for qualitative and quantitative assessments of nutrient intakes. This review considers the experimental deficiencies (small sample size, inappropriate age range, inadequate psychophysical and stimuli presentation procedures, and poor dietary intake assessment) of studies reported in the literature and suggests major needs for research.

The vitamin B6 requirement in oral contraceptive users. I. Assessment by pyridoxal level and transferase activity in erythrocytes.

Eight college-age women using estrogen-containing oral contraceptives (OC) were fed a low vitamin B6 diet (0.36 mg/day) for 42 days. During the first 10 days (adjustment period) the diet was supplemented with 1.7 mg pyridoxine hydrochloride bringing the total intake to 2.06 mg/day. Following depletion, repletion was done in three consecutive steps: intakes of 0.96, 1.56, and 5.06 mg were consumed for 8, 9, and 7 days, respectively. Continuous 24-hr urine collections were made throughout the study and fasting blood samples were drawn periodically. Vitamin B6 nutriture was assessed by erythrocyte pyridoxal level, erythrocyte alanine aminotransferase and erythrocyte aspartic aminotransferase activity; and stimulation of these enzyme systems with pyridoxal phosphate. Results were compared with data obtained from non-OC users who consumed a similar diet. The data obtained suggest that 0.96 mg vitamin B6 was not adequate to meet the needs of OC users. Predepletion levels had been reached in almost all subjects at an intake of 1.5 mg/day. Assessed by the parameters studied, an intake between 1.5 and 5.0 mg/day of vitamin B6 was adequate to meet the needs of OC users; this compares with 1.5 mg/day previously suggested for the nonuser.

PIP: A 3-phase study was conducted to evaluate the Vitamin B6 nutritional requirement of oral contraceptive users. 8 young women (mean age, 20 years; mean body weight, 63.2 kg.) on oral contraceptives (OCs) served as the study group and another 8 (mean age, 21 years; mean body weight, 61.4 kg.) not on OCs served as controls. The 1st 10 days of the study were designated as the predepletion phase: all subjects were given a basal diet with supplement of 1.7 mg/day pyridoxine hydrochloride (PN-HCL). The depletion phase consisted of withdrawing Vitamin B6 supplement of 1.7 mg/day for 32 days; the repletion phase consisted of supplementing the basal diet with specific amounts of PN-HCL (intakes of 0.96, 1.56, and 5.06 mg were taken for 8,9, and 7 days, respectively). Only the study group went through the depletion and repletion phases. Fasting blood samples and continous 24-hour urine samples were obtained for analysis. The Vitamin B6 nutriture was measured by erythrocyte pyridoxal level, erythrocyte alanine aminotransferease and erythrocyte aspartic aminotransferase activity. The results indicated that 0.96 mg Vitamin B6 was insufficient to meet nutritional requirements of OC users. Almost all subjects reached a predepletion level at an intake of 1.5 mg/day. An intake of between 1.5 and 5.0 mg/day of Vitamin B6 was deemed sufficient for OC users, and compares favorably with nonusers' measurement of 1.5 mg/day.

The vitamin B6 requirement in oral contraceptive users. II. Assessment by tryptophan metabolites, vitamin B6, and pyridoxic acid levels in urine.

PIP: The requirement for vitamin B6 in oral contraceptive users was studied in 8 college-age women who used combined (7) or sequential (1) oral contraceptives. The subjects and 8 controls consumed a basal diet supplemented to result in daily intake of 2.06 mg pyridoxine hydrochloride for 10 days (predepletion) and then containing only .36 mg of vitamin B6 for 32 days. After the depletion period, the diet was supplemented with pyridoxine hydrochloride to increase the intake of B6 to .96, 1.56, and 5.06 mg for 8, 9, and 7 days respectively. Complete 14-hour urine collections were analyzed for xanthurenic acid, kynurenic acids, kynurenine, and 3-hydroxykynurenine after administration of a l load-dose of 2 gm L-trytophan on days 2, 11, 18, 25, 32, 39, 43, 50 , 59, and 66 for the subjects and days 2 and 10 for the controls. Pretryptophan urine was analyzed for vitamin B6. Posttryptophan urine was analyzed for 4-pyridoxic acid. It was found that during the depletion phase the excretion of tryptophan metabolites increased significantly. Excretion dropped significantly upon supplementation with 1.56 or 5.06 mg of vitamin B6, returning values to normal. Levels of vitamin B6 and 4-pyridoxic acid in the urine decreased during depletion to be restored to normal upon supplementation with 1.56 mg/day. Since an intake of 5.0 mg vitamin B6 caused a loss of the vitamin in the urine and all levels were returned to normal with an intake of 1.56 mg, it is suggested that 1.5 mg of vitamin B6 is sufficient to meet the needs of most oral contraceptive users and that there is no significant difference in the vitamin B6 requirement of oral contraceptive users and nonusers.^ieng