scholarly journals Serum concentrations of carotenoids and vitamins A, E, and C in control subjects from five European countries

2001 ◽  
Vol 85 (2) ◽  
pp. 227-238 ◽  
Author(s):  
Begoña Olmedilla ◽  
Fernando Granado ◽  
Susan Southon ◽  
Anthony J. A. Wright ◽  
Inmaculada Blanco ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Northern Ireland ◽  
The Netherlands ◽  
Vitamin C ◽  
European Countries ◽  
Provitamin A ◽  
Plasma Vitamin ◽  
Serum Concentrations ◽  
Blood Concentrations ◽  
Republic Of Ireland ◽  
Β Carotene

High intakes of fruits and vegetables, or high circulating levels of their biomarkers (carotenoids, vitamins C and E), have been associated with a relatively low incidence of cardiovascular disease, cataract and cancer. Exposure to a high fruit and vegetable diet increases antioxidant concentrations in blood and body tissues, and potentially protects against oxidative damage to cells and tissues. This paper describes blood concentrations of carotenoids, tocopherols, ascorbic acid and retinol in well-defined groups of healthy, non-smokers, aged 25–45 years, 175 men and 174 women from five European countries (France, UK (Northern Ireland), Republic of Ireland, The Netherlands and Spain). Analysis was centralised and performed within 18 months. Within-gender, vitamin C showed no significant differences between centres. Females in France, Republic of Ireland and Spain had significantly higher plasma vitamin C concentrations than their male counterparts. Serum retinol and α-tocopherol levels were similar between centres, but γ-tocopherol showed a great variability being the lowest in Spain and France, and the highest in The Netherlands. The provitamin A: non-provitamin A carotenoid ratio was similar among countries, whereas the xanthophylls (lutein, zeaxanthin, β-cryptoxanthin) to carotenes (α-carotene, β-carotene, lycopene) ratio was double in southern (Spain) compared to the northern areas (Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland). Serum concentrations of lutein and zeaxanthin were highest in France and Spain; β-cryptoxanthin was highest in Spain and The Netherlands;trans-lycopene tended to be highest in Irish males and lowest in Spanish males; α-carotene and β-carotene were higher in the French volunteers. Due to the study design, the concentrations of carotenoids and vitamins A, C and E represent physiological ranges achievable by dietary means and may be considered as ‘reference values’ in serum of healthy, non-smoking middle-aged subjects from five European countries. The results suggest that lutein (and zeaxanthin), β-cryptoxanthin, total xanthophylls and γ-tocopherol (and α- : γ-tocopherol) may be important markers related to the healthy or protective effects of the Mediterranean-like diet.

Dietary Intakes and Blood Concentrations of Antioxidant Vitamins in German Vegans

2005 ◽  
Vol 75 (1) ◽  
pp. 28-36 ◽  
Author(s):  
Annika Waldmann ◽  
Jochen W. Koschizke ◽  
Claus Leitzmann ◽  
Andreas Hahn
Keyword(s):  
Vitamin E ◽  
Vitamin C ◽  
Chronic Diseases ◽  
Vegetable Intake ◽  
Antioxidant Vitamins ◽  
Fruit And Vegetable Intake ◽  
Plasma Vitamin ◽  
Fruit And Vegetable ◽  
Blood Concentrations ◽  
Β Carotene

We report on an evaluation of intake and blood concentrations of antioxidant vitamins in a cross-sectional study of 104 German vegans, and examine the association between blood concentration of antioxidant vitamins and their intake as well as fruit and vegetable intake. Comparisons are made with dietary reference intakes and established threshold values (ETV) for blood concentrations. Mean intakes of vitamin C, E, and β-carotene were higher than actual recommendations, but comparable to reported intakes in other vegan cohorts. Mean blood concentrations were 0.76 μmol/L for β-carotene and 117 μmol/L for vitamin C, so that nearly all participants showed concentrations that were above the ETV for the prevention of chronic diseases. Although mean vitamin E intake was 24.8 mg/day, only 32% of female and 18% of male participants showed plasma concentrations above the ETV. However, the mean vitamin E/cholesterol ratio was high (5.97), indicating a good protection of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) against peroxidation. Of the reported antioxidant vitamins, only plasma vitamin C concentration was a good biomarker of fruit and vegetable intake. The high concentration of antioxidative compounds in plasma may be one of the reasons for the lower incidence of chronic diseases in people consuming a plant-only diet.

scholarly journals Effect of Two Natural Antioxidant Intervention on Plasma Vitamin C, E, and β-Carotene Concentrations of Apparently Healthy Adults in Nasarawa State University, Keffi, Nigeria

2016 ◽  
Vol 2 ◽  
pp. 72-78 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chibuzo Carole Nweze ◽  
Miriam Solomon
Keyword(s):  
Vitamin E ◽  
Vitamin C ◽  
Blood Plasma ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Healthy Adults ◽  
Cell Mediated Immunity ◽  
Plasma Vitamin ◽  
State University ◽  
Β Carotene ◽  
Apparently Healthy

Immunologic functions particularly cell-mediated immunity declines with age, contributing to the increased incidence of infectious diseases in the elderly. The study looked at vitamin C, vitamin E, and β-carotene levels in plasma of 150 healthy adults of 96 men and 54 women aged between 30 and 74 years. The subjects were randomly grouped into three at baseline for further dietary studies, The antioxidant dietary supplements were either 1 capsule per day of antioxidant nutraceutical (Forever living product) (containing vitamin E 10 mg, vitamin C 60mg and β-carotene 2000 mcg of vitamin A, or cheap affordable indigenous antioxidant functional foods of equivalent vitamin composition of oranges, carrots, and soybean or bottled water, and the first dose was dispensed and followed up for six months. The result showed that the vit C, E and β-carotene concentration of antioxidant treated groups were positively influenced than the placebo group (Grp 1 (AT-P)6m. Grp 3 (AT-F)6mwas affected more positively than the antioxidant Grp 2 (AT-N)6m. Vitamin C, E, and β-carotene concentrations of the elderly are beyond reference/normal range of blood plasma. Plasma Vitamin C and β-carotene concentration of the female was higher than the male. The vitamin E concentration in blood plasma of male is higher compare to female.

scholarly journals Plasma concentrations of carotenoids and vitamin C are better correlated with dietary intake in normal weight than overweight and obese elderly subjects

2007 ◽  
Vol 97 (5) ◽  
pp. 977-986 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jesús Vioque ◽  
Tanja Weinbrenner ◽  
Laura Asensio ◽  
Adela Castelló ◽  
Ian S. Young ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Plasma Concentration ◽  
Vitamin C ◽  
Dietary Intake ◽  
Plasma Concentrations ◽  
Normal Weight ◽  
Elderly Subjects ◽  
Plasma Vitamin ◽  
Dietary Intakes ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Β Carotene

Carotenoid and vitamin C intakes, assessed by FFQ, have been positively associated with plasma concentrations in different populations. However, the influence of BMI on these associations has not been explored in detail. We explored in a cross-sectional study the relation between dietary carotenoid and vitamin C intakes, using a 135-item FFQ, with their plasma concentrations by BMI categories in 252 men and 293 women, 65 years and older. For men and women combined, significant (P < 0·05) Pearson correlations were observed between energy-adjusted dietary intakes and plasma concentrations (carotenoids adjusted for cholesterol) for: α-carotene 0·21, β-carotene 0·19, lycopene 0·18, β-cryptoxanthin 0·20 and vitamin C 0·36. Multiple linear regression analyses showed that the intake of carotenoids and vitamin C were significant predictors of their respective plasma concentration (P < 0·01), and that BMI was inversely associated with plasma concentration of carotenoids (P ≤ 0·01) but not with plasma vitamin C. In addition, we observed significant interactions between BMI and the intakes of α-carotene and lutein + zeaxanthin, and to a lower extent β-carotene, suggesting that these intakes in subjects with high BMI were not good predictors of their plasma concentration. The present data suggest that plasma carotenoids and vitamin C may be good markers of dietary intake in elderly subjects, but not so for α-carotene, β-carotene and lutein + zeaxanthin in obese subjects.

scholarly journals Association of plasma biomarkers of fruit and vegetable intake with incident type 2 diabetes: EPIC-InterAct case-cohort study in eight European countries

BMJ ◽  
2020 ◽  
pp. m2194 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ju-Sheng Zheng ◽  
Stephen J Sharp ◽  
Fumiaki Imamura ◽  
Rajiv Chowdhury ◽  
Thomas E Gundersen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Type 2 Diabetes ◽  
Vitamin C ◽  
Vegetable Intake ◽  
European Countries ◽  
Fruit And Vegetable Intake ◽  
Plasma Vitamin ◽  
Fruit And Vegetable ◽  
Incident Type ◽  
Incident Type 2 Diabetes

Abstract Objective To investigate the association of plasma vitamin C and carotenoids, as indicators of fruit and vegetable intake, with the risk of type 2 diabetes. Design Prospective case-cohort study. Setting Populations from eight European countries. Participants 9754 participants with incident type 2 diabetes, and a subcohort of 13 662 individuals from the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC) cohort of 340 234 participants: EPIC-InterAct case-cohort study. Main outcome measure Incident type 2 diabetes. Results In a multivariable adjusted model, higher plasma vitamin C was associated with a lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes (hazard ratio per standard deviation 0.82, 95% confidence interval 0.76 to 0.89). A similar inverse association was shown for total carotenoids (hazard ratio per standard deviation 0.75, 0.68 to 0.82). A composite biomarker score (split into five equal groups), comprising vitamin C and individual carotenoids, was inversely associated with type 2 diabetes with hazard ratios 0.77, 0.66, 0.59, and 0.50 for groups 2-5 compared with group 1 (the lowest group). Self-reported median fruit and vegetable intake was 274 g/day, 396 g/day, and 508 g/day for participants in categories defined by groups 1, 3, and 5 of the composite biomarker score, respectively. One standard deviation difference in the composite biomarker score, equivalent to a 66 (95% confidence interval 61 to 71) g/day difference in total fruit and vegetable intake, was associated with a hazard ratio of 0.75 (0.67 to 0.83). This would be equivalent to an absolute risk reduction of 0.95 per 1000 person years of follow up if achieved across an entire population with the characteristics of the eight European countries included in this analysis. Conclusions These findings indicate an inverse association between plasma vitamin C, carotenoids, and their composite biomarker score, and incident type 2 diabetes in different European countries. These biomarkers are objective indicators of fruit and vegetable consumption, and suggest that diets rich in even modestly higher fruit and vegetable consumption could help to prevent development of type 2 diabetes.

scholarly journals Lifestyle Behaviours and Plasma Vitamin C andβ-Carotene Levels from the ELAN Population (Liège, Belgium)

2011 ◽  
Vol 2011 ◽  
pp. 1-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joël Pincemail ◽  
Sophie Vanbelle ◽  
Fabien Degrune ◽  
Jean-Paul Cheramy-Bien ◽  
Corinne Charlier ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Vitamin C ◽  
Social Status ◽  
Healthy Subjects ◽  
Plasma Concentrations ◽  
Significant Risk ◽  
Plasma Vitamin ◽  
Vitamin C Deficiency ◽  
Modifiable Lifestyle Factors ◽  
Β Carotene

Several factors, including fruit and vegetables intakes, have been shown to significantly influence the plasma concentrations of the two antioxidants vitamin C and β-carotene. Deficiency levels of 6 mg/L (34.2 μM) for vitamin C and of 0.22 mg/L (0.4 μM) for β-carotene have been suggested below which cardiovascular risk might be increased. The present study performed on 897 presumably healthy subjects aged 40–60 years aimed to examine how modifiable lifestyle factors may be related to vitamin C and/or β-carotene deficiency. Gender, smoking, lack of regular physical activity and of daily fruit consumption (≥2/day), and social status (in particular, unemployment) were found to be significant risk factors for vitamin C deficiency. For β-carotene deficiency, the same factors were identified except social status; moreover, overweight and OC use in women were also found to have a deleterious effect. For non exposed subjects, the probability of developing vitamin C deficiency was 4% in men and 2.4% in women. This probability increased to 66.3% for men and to 44.3% for women (and even to 50.4% under OC use), when all risk factors were present. For β-carotene deficiency, the corresponding probabilities were equal to 29.7% in men and 13.7% in women (no risk factor present), and to 86.1% for men and 69.9% (91.6% for OC use) for women (all factors present), respectively.

scholarly journals Antioxidant status and risk of cancer in the SU.VI.MAX study: is the effect of supplementation dependent on baseline levels?

2005 ◽  
Vol 94 (1) ◽  
pp. 125-132 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pilar Galan ◽  
Serge Briançon ◽  
Alain Favier ◽  
Sandrine Bertrais ◽  
Paul Preziosi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Vitamin E ◽  
Vitamin C ◽  
Antioxidant Status ◽  
Serum Concentrations ◽  
Antioxidant Supplementation ◽  
Baseline Serum ◽  
Men And Women ◽  
Risk Of Cancer ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Β Carotene

The SUpplementation en VItamines et Mineraux AntioXydants (SU.VI.MAX) study, a randomised double-blind, primary-prevention trial showed that after 7·5 years, low-dose antioxidant supplementation lowered the total cancer incidence in men, but not in women. To explain this difference in the impact of antioxidant supplementation in men and women, we hypothesised that the effect of supplementation is dependent on initial antioxidant status; 12 741 French adults (7713 females aged 35–60 years; 5028 males aged 45–60 years) received daily antioxidant supplementation (120 mg vitamin C, 30 mg vitamin E, 6 mg β-carotene, 100 μg Se, 20 mg Zn daily) or a matching placebo. Cut-off limits for baseline serum concentrations of the different antioxidant vitamins and minerals were defined as follows for both men and women: 0·3 μmol/l for β-carotene, 11·4 μmol/l for vitamin C, 15 μmol/l for vitamin E, 0·75 μmol/l for Se and 10·7 μmol/l for Zn. The percentage of men with serum concentrations under cut-off limits was higher for vitamins C and E and β-carotene in those who developed a cancer than in those who did not. The risk of cancer was higher in men with baseline concentrations of serum vitamin C or vitamin E under cut-off limits, but not in women. The effect of supplementation was greater in men with baseline serum concentrations of vitamin C, vitamin E and β-carotene below the cut-off limits compared with those above it. This effect was maintained only for vitamin E after adjustment for age, tobacco, and alcohol consumption and BMI. No effect of supplementation could be seen in women. Baseline antioxidant status is related to the risk of cancer in men but not in women and therefore does not entirely explain the differences observed in the effect of antioxidant supplementation on cancer risk between sexes in the SU.VI.MAX study.

scholarly journals Changes in vitamin biomarkers during a 2-year intervention trial involving increased fruit and vegetable consumption by free-living volunteers

2009 ◽  
Vol 102 (10) ◽  
pp. 1477-1486 ◽  
Author(s):  
Helen M. Macdonald ◽  
Antonia C. Hardcastle ◽  
Garry G. Duthie ◽  
Susan J. Duthie ◽  
Lorna Aucott ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Vitamin C ◽  
Vitamin K ◽  
Whole Blood ◽  
Vegetable Intake ◽  
Fruit And Vegetables ◽  
Fruit And Vegetable Intake ◽  
Plasma Vitamin ◽  
Fruit And Vegetable ◽  
Free Living ◽  
Β Carotene

Trials in free-living populations involving increased consumption of fruit and vegetables are difficult to monitor. We evaluated biomarkers for assessing fruit and vegetable intake and compliance in a 2-year trial. Postmenopausal women were randomised to 300 g additional fruit and vegetables per d (n 66), placebo (n 70) or potassium citrate (n 140). They completed dietary checklists (3-monthly) and food diaries or FFQ (yearly). We measured whole-blood folate, plasma vitamin C and homocysteine (yearly), serum vitamin E and carotenoids (at 12 months) and urinary vitamin K metabolites (yearly). Plasma vitamin C was associated with fruit and vegetable intake at baseline (r +0·31; P < 0·01), remaining significant only for the non-fruit and vegetable group at 12 months (r +0·43; P < 0·01). For the fruit and vegetable group, vitamin C increased by 5·9 μmol/l (P = 0·07) but was not significantly associated with fruit and vegetable intake; vitamin E, β-carotene and β-cryptoxanthin were higher compared with the non-fruit and vegetable group (P < 0·05); and whole-blood folate and the urinary 5C-aglycone metabolite of vitamin K were associated with vegetable intake. For all participants plasma vitamin C increased with increasing fruit and vegetable intakes, reaching a plateau of 90–95 μmol/l at intakes>500 g/d, whereas whole-blood folate, β-carotene and β-cryptoxanthin continued to increase. Concentrations of vitamin C, folate and β-cryptoxanthin were lower and the 7C-aglycone metabolite of vitamin K higher, in smokers compared with non-smokers. Suitable markers for monitoring fruit and vegetable compliance include β-carotene and β-cryptoxanthin. Plasma vitamin C and whole-blood folate may be suitable for monitoring intakes in populations but for monitoring compliance the former may be restricted to low intakes of fruit and vegetables and the latter to vegetable intake.

Routes of Technology Transfer to SMEs

1996 ◽  
Vol 10 (5) ◽  
pp. 293-299 ◽  
Author(s):  
C.A. Grant ◽  
P. van der Sijde ◽  
C. Henry ◽  
I. Koswenska ◽  
T. Scott ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Technology Transfer ◽  
Northern Ireland ◽  
The Netherlands ◽  
Transfer Process ◽  
Good Practice ◽  
Transfer Mechanism ◽  
European Countries ◽  
Critical Elements ◽  
Transfer Mechanisms ◽  
Successful Technology

This article discusses the results of a European project funded under SPRINT, the European Commission's central programme for technology transfer. The authors describe and analyse ‘good practice’ technology transfer mechanisms which are being implemented in the Netherlands, Ireland, Northern Ireland, France and Sweden. It is the authors' view that there is no one best model of a technology transfer mechanism/route to small and medium-sized entreprises. Each route is unique, and plays a different role in the technology transfer process. Based on technology transfer experiences from five different European countries, the authors examine and highlight the critical elements required for an effective university–SME partnership. In conclusion, strategic recommendations are set out for creating more successful technology transfer routes to the SME sector.

scholarly journals Validation of weighed records and other methods of dietary assessment using the 24 h urine nitrogen technique and other biological markers

1995 ◽  
Vol 73 (4) ◽  
pp. 531-550 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. A. Bingham ◽  
A. Cassidy ◽  
T. J. Cole ◽  
A. Welch ◽  
S. A. Runswick ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Vitamin C ◽  
Dietary Assessment ◽  
Accurate Method ◽  
Dietary Vitamin ◽  
Plasma Vitamin ◽  
Restrained Eaters ◽  
Food Frequency ◽  
Food Records ◽  
Rate Ratios ◽  
Β Carotene

Results from analysis of 24 h urine collections, verified for completeness with para-amino benzoic acid, and blood samples collected over 1 year were compared with 16 d weighed records of all food consumed collected over the year, and with results from 24 h recalls, food-frequency questionnaires and estimated food records in 160 women. Using the weighed records, individuals were sorted into quintiles of the distribution of the urine N excretion: dietary N intake ratio (UN:DN). UN exceeded DN in the top quintile of this ratio; mean ratio UN:DN = 1·13 Individuals in this top quintile were heavier, had significantly greater body mass indices, were reportedly more restrained eaters, had significantly lower energy intake:basal metabolic rate ratios (EI:BMR), and had correlated ratios of UN:DN and EI:BMR (r- 0·62). Those in the top quintile reported lower intakes of energy and energy-yielding nutrients, Ca, fats, cakes, breakfast cereals, milk and sugars than individuals in the other quintiles but not lower intakes of non-starch polysaccharides, vitamin C, vegetables, potatoes or meat. Correlations between dietary intake from weighed records and 24 h urine K were 0·74 and 0·82, and between dietary vitamin C and β-carotene and plasma vitamin C and β-carotene 0·86 and 0·48. Correlations between dietary N intake from weighed records and 24 h urine excretion were high (0·78–0·87). Those between N from estimated food records and urine N werer0·60–0·70. Correlations between urine N and 24 h recalls and food-frequency questionnaires were in the order of 0·01 to 0·5. Despite problems of underreporting in overweight individuals in 20% of this sample, weighed records remained the most accurate method of dietary assessment, and only an estimated 7 d diary was able to approach this accuracy.

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