The effect of 7 to 8 months of vitamin/mineral supplementation on the vitamin and mineral status of athletes.

Blood indicators of eight vitamins (B1, B2, B6, C, E, A, B12, folate) and six minerals (Cu, Mg, Zn, Ca, P, Al) were measured in 86 athletes before and after a 7- to 8-month period of training. During this period half consumed a multivitamin/mineral supplement and a matched group took a placebo. Following the supplementation period, blood biochemical indicators of B1, B6, B12, and folate status all increased but there were no significant effects of supplementation on B2, C, E, and A, or on the blood levels of any of the minerals. The supplementation had no effect on red or white cell counts or on hemoglobin levels. Irrespective of the supplementation, some blood measures varied according to sex, females evidencing significantly higher values than males for vitamins C, E, copper, magnesium, and aluminium, with B2 being higher in males. It is concluded that 7 to 8 months of multivitamin/mineral supplementation increased the blood nutritional status of some vitamins but did not affect any blood mineral levels, and that some blood nutritional indicators may vary according to sex.

A unique case of derangement of vitamin B12 metabolism.

The case is described of a child, age 6 1/2 years, with retarded mental development, mild neurological signs and abnormal metabolism of sulphur-containing amino acids and methylmalonate, due to an inborn error in the formation of vitamin B12 coenzymes. The patient was treated for almost three years with hydroxycobalamin, folic acid, pyridoxine and choline. Though physical growth was normal, she continued to demonstrate a moderate degree of mental retardation. A brother of the patient died at the age of 5 years, probably of a similar, but undiagnosed, disorder. As far as we are aware there are only four other reported cases similar to the case described here. Two of these patients died and in other other two the defect was so mild that no treatment was necessary and who, in fact, showed appreciable improvement during the follow-up period, which to date amounts to 3 years and 3 months. For reasons detailed in the discussion, it is suggested that the diagnosis of homocystinuria is not complete until studies of folate and vitamin B12 metabolism are undertaken at the same time, so as to identify the metabolic defect(s) responsible for the condition.