ascorbic-acid and Nutrition-Disorders

Topics: Antioxidants; Ascorbic Acid; Dietary Supplements; Humans; Mouth Diseases; Nutrition Disorders; Tooth Diseases; Vitamin B Complex; Vitamin D; Vitamins

Nutrition studies have provided unambiguous evidence that a number of human health maladies including chronic coronary artery, hypertension, diabetes, osteoporosis, cancer and age- and lifestyle-related diseases are associated with the diet. Several favorable and a few deleterious natural dietary ingredients have been identified that predispose human populations to various genetic and epigenetic based disorders. Media dissemination of this information has greatly raised public awareness of the beneficial effects due to increased consumption of fruit, vegetables and whole grain cereals-foods rich in phytonutrients, protein and fiber. However, the presence of intrinsically low levels of the beneficial phytonutrients in the available genotypes of crop plants is not always at par with the recommended daily allowance (RDA) for different phytonutrients (nutraceuticals). Molecular engineering of crop plants has offered a number of tools to markedly enhance intracellular concentrations of some of the beneficial nutrients, levels that, in some cases, are closer to the RDA threshold. This review brings together literature on various strategies utilized for bioengineering both major and minor crops to increase the levels of desirable phytonutrients while also decreasing the concentrations of deleterious metabolites. Some of these include increases in: protein level in potato; lysine in corn and rice; methionine in alfalfa; carotenoids (beta-carotene, phytoene, lycopene, zeaxanthin and lutein) in rice, potato, canola, tomato; choline in tomato; folates in rice, corn, tomato and lettuce; vitamin C in corn and lettuce; polyphenolics such as flavonol, isoflavone, resveratrol, chlorogenic acid and other flavonoids in tomato; anthocyanin levels in tomato and potato; alpha-tocopherol in soybean, oil seed, lettuce and potato; iron and zinc in transgenic rice. Also, molecular engineering has succeeded in considerably reducing the levels of the offending protein glutelin in rice, offering proof of concept and a new beginning for the development of super-low glutelin cereals for celiac disease patients.

Topics: Antioxidants; Ascorbic Acid; Carotenoids; Cell Proliferation; Crops, Agricultural; Diet; Dietary Supplements; Flavonoids; Folic Acid; Genetic Engineering; Humans; Iron; Nutrition Disorders; Phenols; Plant Extracts; Polyphenols; Tocopherols

Cholesterol gallstones are among the most common gastrointestinal disorders in Western societies. Individuals with gallstones may experience various gastrointestinal symptoms and are also at risk of developing acute or chronic cholecystitis. Cholecystectomy is the most frequently recommended conventional treatment for symptomatic gallstones. Bile acids (ursodeoxycholic acid or chenodeoxycholic acid) are also used in some cases to dissolve radiolucent stones, but these drugs can cause gastrointestinal side effects and there is a high rate of stone recurrence after treatment is discontinued. Lithotripsy is used in some cases in conjunction with ursodeoxycholic acid for patients who have a single symptomatic non-calcified gallstone. There is evidence that dietary factors influence the risk of developing cholesterol gallstones. Dietary factors that may increase risk include cholesterol, saturated fat, trans fatty acids, refined sugar, and possibly legumes. Obesity is also a risk factor for gallstones. Dietary factors that may prevent the development of gallstones include polyunsaturated fat, monounsaturated fat, fiber, and caffeine. Consuming a vegetarian diet is also associated with decreased risk. In addition, identification and avoidance of allergenic foods frequently relieves symptoms of gallbladder disease, although it does not dissolve gallstones. Nutritional supplements that might help prevent gallstones include vitamin C, soy lecithin, and iron. In addition, a mixture of plant terpenes (Rowachol) has been used with some success to dissolve radiolucent gallstones. The gallbladder flush is a folk remedy said to promote the passage of gallstones. While minimal scientific evidence supports the efficacy of this treatment, anecdotal reports suggest the gallbladder flush may be beneficial for some people.

Topics: Ascorbic Acid; Cholesterol; Dietary Fats; Drug Combinations; Feeding Behavior; Gallstones; Humans; Iron, Dietary; Lecithins; Monoterpenes; Nutrition Disorders; Obesity

This review gives a brief overview of the main types of dementia and summarizes current thinking on the relationship between nutritional-related factors and disorders, and dementia. Dementia is a multi-factor pathological condition, and nutrition is one factor that may play a role on its onset and progression. An optimal intake of nutrients doesn't protect people from dementia. However, studies in this area show that inadequate dietary habits, which are of particular concern in elderly populations, may increase the risk of developing a number of age-related diseases, including disorders of impaired cognitive function. They show that a deficiency in essential nutrients, such as certain B complex vitamins, can result in hyperhomocysteinemia, a well-known risk factor for atherosclerosis and recently associated with cognitive impairment in old age. A deficiency of antioxidants such as vitamins C and E, and beta-carotene, as well as nutrition-related disorders like hypercholesterolemia, hypertension, and diabetes, may also have some role in cognitive impairment. These factors can be present for a long time before cognitive impairment becomes evident, therefore they could be potentially detected and corrected in a timely manner.

Topics: Alzheimer Disease; Antioxidants; Ascorbic Acid; Dementia; Diabetes Mellitus; Diet; Humans; Hyperhomocysteinemia; Hyperlipidemias; Hypertension; Nutrition Disorders; Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; Oxidative Stress; Risk Factors; Vitamin A; Vitamin B Complex; Vitamin E

The aim of this paper is to review the available literature pertaining to the effects of specific nutritional elements (e.g. vitamin B-complex, vitamin C and dietary calcium) on general wound healing, periodontal disease status and response to periodontal therapy.. Critical appraisal of various studies that have evaluated the effects of calcium, ascorbic acid and vitamin B-complex in wound healing and periodontal treatment.. Periodontal disease onset, progression and response to therapeutic interventions have been shown to be influenced by several systemic, local and environmental modifying factors. Nutritional supplementation has been suggested as a possible influencing factor on periodontal status and wound healing. Several studies have reported various degrees of association between nutritional elements/supplements and periodontal status, and others have reported possible positive influences of nutritional supplementation on periodontal therapeutic outcomes. Future research needs to more fully explore the presence and strength of association between nutrition and periodontal health.. Data collected from the literature suggests that nutrient supplementation causes minimal or no side effects. However, the efficacy of prophylactic nutrient supplementation for the prevention of the onset and progression of periodontal disease, or for the enhancement of periodontal wound healing, remains to be determined.

Topics: Animals; Ascorbic Acid; Calcium, Dietary; Dietary Supplements; Disease Progression; Humans; Nutrition Disorders; Periodontal Diseases; Vitamin B Complex; Wound Healing

Nearly 600 000 women die every year from pregnancy related conditions and the maternal mortality rates (MMR = deaths per 100 000 live births) in developing countries may be as high as 1000 compared with less than ten in industrialised countries. In the light of the striking impact of deficiencies of micronutrients such as vitamin A and zinc on immune function, morbidity and mortality in children it seems reasonable to suggest that such deficiencies might play a contributing role in the high rates of morbidity and mortality in mothers. Hitherto, there has been rather little published on the contribution of malnutrition to maternal morbidity or mortality but recent results of micronutrient supplementation show a major effect of vitamin A or beta carotene supplementation on maternal mortality in Nepal and an impressive effect of a multiple micronutrient mixture on pregnancy outcome in Tanzania. There is now data showing that subclinical mastitis, a potential risk factor for mother to child transmission of HIV by increasing levels of virus in breast milk, is influenced by maternal diet in Tanzania and feeding patterns in South Africa. Considering the massive tragedy of maternal mortality the recent data provides opportunities for new, innovative nutritional interventions for the reduction of the global burden of maternal morbidity and mortality.

Topics: Ascorbic Acid; Developing Countries; Female; Folic Acid; Humans; Maternal Mortality; Maternal Welfare; Micronutrients; Morbidity; Nutrition Disorders; Pre-Eclampsia; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Complications; Pregnancy Complications, Parasitic; Puerperal Infection; Risk; Vitamin A; Zinc

The generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) is a steady-state cellular event in respiring cells. Their production can be grossly amplified in response to a variety of pathophysiological conditions such as inflammation, immunologic disorders, hypoxia, hyperoxia, metabolism of drug or alcohol, exposure to UV or therapeutic radiation, and deficiency in antioxidant vitamins. Uncontrolled production of ROS often leads to damage of cellular macromolecules (DNA, protein, and lipids) and other small antioxidant molecules. A number of major cellular defense mechanisms exist to neutralize and combat the damaging effects of these reactive substances. The enzymic system functions by direct or sequential removal of ROS (superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase), thereby terminating their activities. Metal binding proteins, targeted to bind iron and copper ions, ensure that these Fenton metals are cryptic. Nonenzymic defense consists of scavenging molecules that are endogenously produced (GSH, ubiquinols, uric acid) or those derived from the diet (vitamins C and E, lipoic acid, selenium, riboflavin, zinc, and the carotenoids). These antioxidant nutrients occupy distinct cellular compartments and among them, there are active recycling. For example, oxidized vitamin E (tocopheroxy radical) has been shown to be regenerated by ascorbate, GSH, lipoic acid, or ubiquinols. GSH disulfides (GSSG) can be regenerated by GSSG reductase (a riboflavin-dependent protein), and enzymic pathways have been identified for the recycling of ascorbate radical and dehydroascorbate. The electrons that are used to fuel these recycling reactions (NADH and NADPH) are ultimately derived from the oxidation of foods. Sickle cell anemia, thalassemia, and glucose-6-phosphate-dehydrogenase deficiency are all hereditary disorders with higher potential for oxidative damage due to chronic redox imbalance in red cells that often results in clinical manifestation of mild to serve hemolysis in patients with these disorders. The release of hemoglobin during hemolysis and the subsequent therapeutic transfusion in some cases lead to systemic iron overloading that further potentiates the generation of ROS. Antioxidant status in anemia will be examined, and the potential application of antioxidant treatment as an adjunct therapy under these conditions will be discussed.

Topics: Anemia; Anemia, Sickle Cell; Animals; Antioxidants; Ascorbic Acid; Glucosephosphate Dehydrogenase Deficiency; Humans; Nutrition Disorders; Oxidative Stress; Thalassemia; Vitamin E

Topics: Animals; Ascorbic Acid; Diet; Digestive System; Folic Acid Deficiency; Gonadal Steroid Hormones; Humans; Immunity; Lymphocytes; Nutrition Disorders; Obesity; Phorbol Esters; Vitamin A Deficiency; Vitamin B Deficiency; Vitamin E; Zinc

Chronic alcoholics frequently have evidence of nutritional deficiency due to decreased intake, reduced uptake and impaired utilisation of nutrients. The alcoholic has increased nutrient requirements due to greater metabolic demands and the need for tissue repair. Chronic alcohol-related brain damage can often be a direct result of nutrient depletion, particularly of the vitamins thiamine, B12, nicotinamide and pyridoxine. Lesser degrees of brain damage are frequently unrecognised, and by the time a vitamin deficiency syndrome has developed and been diagnosed, irreversible damage has often occurred. The development of suitable computerised psychometric tests may allow earlier detection of brain malfunction associated with malnutrition, which can be reversed by nutrient repletion before permanent damage occurs. Circulating levels of vitamins can be a valuable guide to nutritional status, although care is needed when interpreting the results of such tests in the alcoholic. Sensitive microbiological and biochemical tests for assessing vitamin status in man have been available for some years, and in addition, new biochemical methods are constantly being developed. It is important that such methods are evaluated, and possibly adapted for clinical use where appropriate. Newer methods may have significant advantages over older, more established techniques. For thiamine and pyridoxine, for example, methods now exist to determine accurately circulating levels of the active forms of these vitamins, which could give more direct assessment of vitamin status than earlier methodology that uses indirect measurements, such as red cell enzyme activities. On the other hand, in the case of folate and B12, there has been a tendency to opt for the easy-to-perform radioassay techniques, when in fact the earlier microbiological methods offer greater sensitivity and probably also better accuracy. Technically difficult assays should not be disregarded if they can give information which is of greater clinical use than a simpler assay technique. Clinical laboratories should always bear in mind what their vitamin methods are actually measuring, particular consideration being given to whether metabolically inactive forms or analogues are determined in the assay. This can be of importance to the interpretation of vitamin data in the alcoholic, who often has problems forming active vitamins from their precursors.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Topics: Alcoholism; Ascorbic Acid; Avitaminosis; Ethanol; Humans; Intestinal Absorption; Nutrition Disorders; Nutritional Requirements; Vitamin A; Vitamin B Complex; Vitamin D; Vitamin E; Vitamin K; Vitamins

Topics: Anorexia; Ascorbic Acid; Cachexia; Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions; Enteral Nutrition; Female; Humans; Lipid Metabolism; Male; Minerals; Neoplasms; Nutrition Disorders; Parenteral Nutrition; Pyridoxine; Serum Albumin; Taste Disorders; Thiamine; Vitamin A

Iron in food is classified as belonging to the haem pool, the nonhaem pool, and extraneous sources. Haem iron is derived from vegetable and animal sources with varying bioavailability. Hookworm infestation of the intestinal tract affects 450 million people in the tropics. Schistosoma mansoni caused blood loss in 7 Egyptian patients of 7.5- 25.9 ml/day which is equivalent to a daily loss of iron of .6-7.3 mg daily urinary loss of iron in 9 Egyptian patients. Trichuris trichiura infestation by whipworm is widespread in children with blood loss of 5 ml/day/worm. The etiology of anemia in children besides iron deficiency includes malaria, bacterial or viral infections, folate deficiency and sickle-cell disease. Severe infections cause profound iron-deficiency anemia in children in central American and Malaysia. Plasmodium falciparum malaria-induced anaemia in tropical Africa lowers the mean haemoglobin concentration in the population by 2 g/dI, causing profound anaemia in some. The increased risk of premature delivery, low birthweight, fetal abnormalities, and fetal death is directly related to the degree of maternal anemia. Perinatal mortality was reduced from 38 to 4% in treated anemic mothers. Mental performance was significantly lower in anemic school children and improved after they received iron. Supplements of iron, soy-protein, calcium, and vitamins given to villagers with widespread malnutrition, iron deficiency, and hookworm infestation in Colombia reduced enteric infections in children. Severe iron-deficiency anemia was treated in adults in northern Nigeria by daily in Ferastral 10 ml, which is equivalent to 500 mg of iron per day. Choloroquine, folic acid, rephenium hydroxynaphthoate, and tetrachlorethylene treat adults with severe iron deficiency from hookworm infestation in rural tropical Africa. Blood transfusion is indicated if the patient is dying of anaemia or is pregnant with a haemoglobin concentration 6 gm/dl. In South East Asia, mg per day prevented iron-deficiency anaemia in pregnancy. Field-trials on nutritional iron deficiency include an acidified milk formula plus ferrous sulphate for infants; biscuits with added bovine hemoglobin for children in Chile; sugar plus sodium ferric EDTA in Guatemala; salt with ferric orthophosphate and sodium acid sulphate in India; and Salt with ferrous sulphate plus sodium hexametaphosphate.

Topics: Absorption; Adult; Africa; Anemia, Hypochromic; Ascorbic Acid; Biological Availability; Celiac Disease; Child; Child, Preschool; Female; Hookworm Infections; Humans; India; Iron; Liver; Male; Meat; Nigeria; Nutrition Disorders; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Complications, Hematologic; Schistosomiasis; Socioeconomic Factors; Trichuriasis; Tropical Medicine

Topics: Adult; Animals; Ascorbic Acid; Asia, Southeastern; Child; Child, Preschool; Cricetinae; Humans; Immune System Diseases; Immunity, Cellular; Leprosy; Mice; Nutrition Disorders; Protein-Energy Malnutrition; Rats; Risk

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Anemia, Hypochromic; Arteriosclerosis; Ascorbic Acid; Child; Diet; Female; Humans; Iron; Male; Nutrition Disorders; Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; Obesity; Physical Exertion; Vitamins; Zinc

As the second leading cause of death in the United States, cancer is a major public health problem today. Cancer incidence varies worldwide and tends to change with migration. These epidemiological observations have led to the concept that environmental factors may be important in carcinogenesis. Diet and nutrition are receiving increased attention and the National Cancer Institute, as mandated by the Nation Cancer Act Amendments of 1974, is playing a major leadership role in expanding research efforts in the areas of environmental carcinogenesis, and nutrition in relation to cancer. The subject of diet, nutrition, and cancer is complex. Different types of cancer are not necessarily affected by dietary components in the same manner. Although the development of certain neoplasms may be repressed by specific dietary deficiencies, other types, particularly those of the liver and upper gastrointestinal tract, are actually augmented or potentiated by such deficienceis. In extrapolating results from animal experiments to humans, caution must be exercised because of possible differences in species response to the same dietary stimulus and because spontaneous tumors may react differently from experimentally-induced tumors. Diet and nutrition are viewed more appropriately as modifiers, rather than initiators, of tumorigenesis. Caloric intake, type and amount of fat, protein, amino acids, vitamins, minerals, fiber, and other dietary constituents have been studied in regard to their influence on the development of neoplasms. Dietary components may have opposing effects on tumorigenesis, i.e., protective and predisposing, and the consequence to the host will depend on the balance between these opposing forces. Studies conducted to date indicate that the modifying effect of diet and nutrition may be exerted through specific effects on 1) intestinal bacteria and substrates for bacterial metabolism, 2) microsomal mixed-function oxidase system, 3) endocrine system, 4) immunological system, 5) availability of metabolites for cell proliferations, and 6) rate of carcinogen transfer and duration of exposure to the carcinogen. More research is needed to elucidate the interaction between diet and each of these factors and to test the validity of the mechanisms proposed to explain such interactions. These studies will lead not only to a better understanding of carcinogenesis itself but also to a new understanding of the influence of diet on human physiology and metabolism.

Topics: Animals; Ascorbic Acid; Bile Acids and Salts; Cholesterol; Diet; Dietary Fats; Digestive System; Energy Metabolism; Forecasting; Humans; Hypercholesterolemia; Intestines; Neoplasms; Nutrition Disorders; Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; Polysaccharides; Vitamin A; Vitamin A Deficiency; Vitamin B Complex; Vitamin B Deficiency

Topics: Animals; Ascorbic Acid; Ascorbic Acid Deficiency; Humans; Nutrition Disorders; Periodontitis; Proteins; Vitamins

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Age Factors; Ascorbic Acid; Calcium, Dietary; Child; Child, Preschool; Diet; Dietary Proteins; Energy Intake; Female; Humans; Infant; Iron; Male; Metabolism; Nutrition Disorders; Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; Nutritional Requirements; Pregnancy; Sex Factors; Trace Elements; Vitamin A; Vitamin B Complex; Vitamin D

Mammalian response to injury essentially is that of tissue repair and re-epithelialization. The most important component of repair tissue is collagen, and after injury collagen turnover is greatly increased. Collagen biosynthesis is initiated by nuclear DNA of fibroblasts; the steps in biosynthesis are complex but studies of collagen biosynthesis may eventually have clinical potential. Normally, wound healing lasts for up to 2 years but nutritional and metabolic factors, such as malnutrition, delay healing; hyperalimentation would likely be beneficial under these conditions. Other factors that influence wound healing are the oxygen tension in tissues, the hemodynamic status, and the effects of substances such as cortisone, vitamins A and C, and zinc.

Topics: Animals; Arteries; Ascorbic Acid; Bacterial Infections; Cell Nucleus; Collagen; Colon; Cortisone; DNA; Ear; Fibroblasts; Hemodynamics; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; Nutrition Disorders; Oxygen; Partial Pressure; Research; Stress, Mechanical; Time Factors; Vitamin A; Wound Healing; Zinc

Topics: Ascorbic Acid; Child; Child Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; Child, Preschool; Developing Countries; Diet; Female; Gastrointestinal Diseases; Humans; Hygiene; Infant; Infant Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; Infant, Newborn; Infections; Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic; Iron; Malabsorption Syndromes; Male; Nitrogen; Nutrition Disorders; Nutritional Requirements; Vitamin B 12

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Anemia; Ascorbic Acid; Body Height; Body Weight; Child; Child, Preschool; Diet; Dietary Proteins; Ethnicity; Female; Humans; Infant; Male; Middle Aged; Nicotinic Acids; Nutrition Disorders; Nutrition Surveys; Riboflavin; Thiamine; United States; Vitamins

Topics: Altitude; Anemia; Anemia, Macrocytic; Anemia, Sickle Cell; Ascorbic Acid; Celiac Disease; Climate; Deficiency Diseases; Female; Folic Acid; Hematology; Humans; Infant; Metabolism; Nutrition Disorders; Parasitic Diseases; Pharmaceutical Preparations; Poisons; Polycythemia; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Complications; Pregnancy Complications, Hematologic; Radiation Effects; Seasons; Sprue, Tropical; Vitamin B 12

The young people of draft age often have breach of a the dietary, that guite often is accompanied by decrease resistance and adaptation of opportunities. Application vegetative BAS to food (the beet with selderej) separately or especially together with liquid biphidiumbacterin gives good therapeutic effect.

Topics: Adaptation, Physiological; Adolescent; Ascorbic Acid; Ascorbic Acid Deficiency; Body Weight; Deficiency Diseases; Dietary Supplements; Feces; Humans; Male; Military Personnel; Nutrition Disorders; Vegetables

Ninety preselected children, aged between 8 and 14 years, living in two rural West African (Gambian) villages, were randomly divided into three groups, matched for age and sex. One group received a placebo (lactose) tablet, one received riboflavin (5 mg) on 5 d every week, which was sufficient to correct an endemic riboflavin deficiency, and one received a multivitamin supplement (Protovit; Hoffmann La Roche), on 5 d every week, together with FeSO4 (200 mg) once weekly, and the supplements were given for 1 year. Neuromuscular tests, including arm tremor and manipulative skills, were performed on three occasions: once just before the introduction of the supplements; again 6 weeks after commencing the supplements; and again 1 year later. Venous blood samples were collected at the same time as the first two sets of neuromuscular tests. These samples were used for haematology and nutrient status indices: plasma ferritin, ascorbic acid, cyanocobalamin and pyridoxal phosphate, and erythrocyte tests for folate status, for riboflavin status (erythrocyte glutathione reductase activation coefficient) and thiamine status (erythrocyte transketolase activation coefficient). The riboflavin in both supplements achieved a clear-cut response in biochemical status, which was dose-dependent. The pyridoxine, ascorbic acid and Fe components of the multivitamin also affected the associated biochemical indices. Although overall the arm tremor and related neuromuscular function tests did not respond significantly to the supplements, significant improvement was seen in the boys for the arm-tremor test in both the supplemented groups.

Topics: Adolescent; Ascorbic Acid; Child; Female; Ferritins; Gambia; Humans; Iron; Male; Neuromuscular Junction; Nutrition Disorders; Riboflavin; Riboflavin Deficiency; Vitamins

Topics: Aged; Ascorbic Acid; Capillary Fragility; Clinical Trials as Topic; Glossitis, Benign Migratory; Humans; Niacinamide; Nutrition Disorders; Oral Manifestations; Placebos; Purpura; Pyridoxine; Riboflavin; Stomatitis; Thiamine; Tongue; Vitamins

Topics: Aged; Alkaline Phosphatase; Anorexia Nervosa; Ascorbic Acid; Eating; England; Feeding Behavior; Humans; Niacinamide; Nutrition Disorders; Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; Osteomalacia; Placebos; Pyridoxine; Riboflavin; Scotland; Thiamine; Vitamins

In 33 patients undergoing surgery for peptic ulcer it was found that both the dietary and the leucocyte ascorbic acid levels fell below the accepted normal values. Although after vagotomy the dietary intake improved dramatically, this was accompanied by only a small rise in leucocyte ascorbic acid levels. Evidence has been presented that the reduction in gastric acid output after vagotomy might be responsible for this paradox.

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Ascorbic Acid; Diet; Female; Gastric Juice; Humans; Insulin; Leukocytes; Male; Middle Aged; Nutrition Disorders; Pentagastrin; Peptic Ulcer; Vagotomy

The objectives of this study were to examine the associations between functional dentition and the Healthy Eating Index (HEI) scores and nutrient intakes among older adults in the United States.. The sample consisted of 2560 adults, 60 years and over from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 1999-2002. We used multivariate linear regression to examine associations between functional dentition and HEI scores or nutrient intakes controlling for the potential confounding effects of age, race/ethnicity, education, smoking status, body mass index (BMI), self-reported health, and caloric intake. Dentate status was classified as: edentulous (no natural permanent teeth or implants), 1-20 teeth, or > or =21 teeth. A functional dentition was defined as having 21 or more teeth present. HEI scores and nutrient intakes were based on one 24-hour dietary recall.. Males with a functional dentition consumed slightly more fruit and had higher alpha- and beta-carotene intakes than edentulous males. Females with any natural teeth had higher vitamin C intakes than edentulous females. There were no significant associations between dentate status and any of the remaining HEI scores or nutrient intakes for either sex.. Having a functional dentition did not contribute substantially to higher HEI scores or nutrient intakes in this nationally representative sample of older adults. However, older men and women with no teeth or those who wear dentures consumed fewer servings of fruits and vegetables, especially those rich in carotenes and vitamin C, than those with teeth.

Topics: Age Factors; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Ascorbic Acid; beta Carotene; Dentition; Diet; Energy Intake; Female; Fruit; Humans; Linear Models; Male; Middle Aged; Mouth, Edentulous; Nutrition Disorders; Nutrition Surveys; Nutritional Status; Sex Factors; United States; Vegetables

Evidence that dental status affects diet is equivocal. The hypothesis of this study was that diet was affected by dental status. The objective was to assess the relationship between numbers of teeth and diet and nutritional status in US adult civilians without prostheses. We examined 6985 NHANES (1988-1994) participants. Data included socio-economics, demographics, dental status, and diet and nutritional status. Dietary data were obtained from food frequency questionnaires and 24-hour dietary recall. Serum levels of beta carotene, folate, and vitamin C were measured with isocratic high-performance liquid chromatography. The population was classified by numbers of teeth. Covariance and Satterthwaite F-adjusted statistical comparisons were made between tooth groupings and the fully dentate population. Multilinear regression models adjusted for covariates. People with fewer than 28 teeth had significantly lower intakes of carrots, tossed salads, and dietary fiber than did fully dentate people, and lower serum levels for beta carotene, folate, and vitamin C. Dental status significantly affects diet and nutrition.

Topics: Adult; Aged; Ascorbic Acid; beta Carotene; Choice Behavior; Dentition, Permanent; Diet; DMF Index; Eating; Female; Food Preferences; Humans; Jaw, Edentulous, Partially; Male; Middle Aged; Nutrition Disorders; Nutrition Surveys; Nutritional Status; Retrospective Studies; Statistics, Nonparametric; Tooth Loss; United States; Vegetables

Non-healing wounds are a common cause of morbidity worldwide. The wounds are the result of inadequate repair in an optimum period and are due to the presence of predisposing factors. The abnormalities of certain biochemical factors are important in impeding wound healing. One hundred patients with non-healing wounds of more than six weeks duration were studied for nutritional and vitamin status and their correlation with healing time. The healing time was significantly prolonged in patients with serum protein concentrations below 6 gram/dl, but the healing time was not correlated with the concentrations of vitamin C or vitamin E. Anemia also did not alter the healing time. Adequate protein intake is the most important prerequisite for good wound healing.

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Anemia; Ascorbic Acid; Blood Proteins; Child; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Nutrition Disorders; Vitamin E; Wound Healing

This descriptive cross-sectional study aimed to investigate whether malnutrition occurs in outpatients with liver cirrhosis, and to compare the nutritional status of patients with alcoholic and viral liver cirrhosis using a variety of objective measures. This study also aimed to provide useful information about nutritional education and nutritional therapies for medical teams and patients with liver cirrhosis. Sixty-six Korean men between the ages of 30 and 69 with liver cirrhosis (24 alcohol-related and 42 virus-related) were recruited from the Internal Medicine Centres, Hanyang University Hospital, Seoul, Korea. The results showed that patients with alcoholic liver cirrhosis (ALC) were significantly lower in socio-economic status than patients with viral liver cirrhosis (VLC) (P<0.05). The energy intakes (excluding alcohol-derived energy) were 1448kcal and 1769kcal in the ALC and the VLC groups, respectively (P<0.05). As well, vitamin C intake was found to be higher in the VLC group than the ALC group, yet still more than 125% of the RDA for both groups (P<0.05). Among nutritional indices, only the TSF thickness showed interaction with the aetiology and the severity of the cirrhosis (P<0.05). Thus, these findings indicate that outpatients with liver cirrhosis in this study, particularly those with alcoholic liver cirrhosis, consumed a lower energy intake than suggested, but may not have been in a status of malnutrition. Body fat is more affected than other nutritional parameters in patients with liver cirrhosis.

Topics: Adult; Aged; Anthropometry; Ascorbic Acid; Body Composition; Cross-Sectional Studies; Hepatitis, Viral, Human; Humans; Korea; Liver Cirrhosis; Liver Cirrhosis, Alcoholic; Male; Middle Aged; Nutrition Assessment; Nutrition Disorders; Nutritional Status; Severity of Illness Index

The aim of the study was to investigate folate and other selected vitamin status (ascorbic acid, tocopherol, retinol, vitamin B12), haematological indices and total homocysteine concentration of serum in women of childbearing age.. A cross-sectional study.. Warsaw.. Healthy women aged 18-30 y (n=78) not pregnant presently or previously, and not taking drugs.. Haemoglobin and haematocrit values according to WHO criteria for 18 to 30-y-old women were normal. The optimal levels of serum tocopherol, >1.29 mg/dl (>29.9 micromol/l) to preventing civilization diseases, were found in 5.5% and serum retinol >71.6 mcg/dl (>2.5 micromol/l) in 6.4% of all studied persons. The analysis of serum folate concentration showed high-risk deficiency,<3 ng/ml (<6.8 nmol/l), in 6.4%, moderate and low risk together (7.0-14.9 nmol/l) in 61.6% and optimal folate levels (>14.9 nmol/l) in 32.0% of the studied group. Folate body stores were insufficient in almost all women. There was no high or moderate deficiency risk of vitamin B12 or ascorbic acid. None of the women under study had serum total homocysteine (tHcy) concentration >15 micromol/l, indicating hyperhomocysteinaemia. Serum total homocysteine concentrations in the range of 5-15 micromol/l were found in 71.8%, and serum tHcy >10 micromol/l in 7.7% of the studied group of women.. The study was sponsored by the Polish Committee for Scientific Research.

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Ascorbic Acid; Cross-Sectional Studies; Female; Folic Acid; Folic Acid Deficiency; Homocysteine; Humans; Nutrition Assessment; Nutrition Disorders; Nutritional Status; Poland; Seroepidemiologic Studies; Vitamin A; Vitamin B 12; Vitamin E; Vitamins

To describe the reported usual dietary intakes of the participants in the Salisbury Eye Evaluation (SEE) project and to estimate the prevalence of inadequate nutrient intakes using the probability approach.. A representative sample of elderly residents (aged 65 to 85 years) of Salisbury, Md.. Cross-sectional survey, using a food frequency questionnaire to obtain nutrient intakes. We estimated energy and protein; percent of energy intake from carbohydrates, fat, and protein; as well as usual intakes of cholesterol, vitamin A, carotenoids, vitamin C, thiamin, riboflavin, vitamin B-6, vitamin E, niacin, iron, calcium, zinc, and folate. Estimates of prevalence of inadequate nutrient intakes were calculated using the probability approach among the 2,655 participants with complete nutrient intake information.. The chi 2 test for independence and analysis of variance. A P < .05 was considered significant in a 2-sided test.. On average, white participants of both genders reported higher mean energy and nutrient intakes than did black participants. Zinc had the highest estimated prevalences of inadequacy across all gender and race categories, followed by calcium, vitamin E, and vitamin B-6. Vitamin C, with estimated prevalences of inadequacy lower than 13%, and folate, with prevalences lower than 17%, had the lowest estimated prevalences of inadequacy across all gender, race, and age categories.. In this population, there are race differences in estimated prevalences of inadequate nutrient intake. According to the current nutrient requirements for adults aged 51 years and older, many elderly persons have inadequate dietary intakes of key nutrients.

Topics: Age Factors; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Analysis of Variance; Ascorbic Acid; Diet; Diet Surveys; Energy Intake; Female; Humans; Male; Maryland; Nutrition Disorders; Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; Probability; Sex Factors; Socioeconomic Factors; Vision, Ocular; Vitamins

Topics: Adult; Antioxidants; Ascorbic Acid; Calcinosis; Diabetes Mellitus; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2; DNA Damage; Erythrocytes; Humans; Nutrition Disorders; Oxidative Stress; Pancreatic Diseases; Vitamin A; Vitamin E

We have evaluated whether vitamin B6 and C metabolism may be altered by infection in the elderly. Vitamin B6 and C biochemical status has been assessed for times over a period of 21 days (days 0, 7, 14, and 21) in 18 subjects > or = 75 years. The subjects were divided into 3 groups: group I (8 subjects with acute infection), group II (4 malnourished subjects), and group III (6 control subjects). Vitamin B6 status was determined by plasma pyridoxal-5'-phosphate (PLP) and erythrocyte aspartate aminotransferase activation coefficient (alpha-EAST), and vitamin C status by plasma ascorbic acid. During the 3 weeks, vitamins B6 and C values were significantly different between groups: at days 7 and 14, PLP values were significantly higher in group III than in both groups I and II, and alpha-EAST values were significantly higher in group I than in both groups II and III. Plasma ascorbate values were significantly lower in group I than in both groups II and III. These data suggest that an acute catabolic state like infection may influence vitamin B6 and C metabolism. Nevertheless, more work is needed to assert that vitamin B6 and C supplementation may be useful during infection.

Topics: Acute-Phase Proteins; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Ascorbic Acid; Cross Infection; Female; Humans; Male; Nutrition Disorders; Pyridoxine; Time Factors

Elderly persons are at risk for developing malnutrition due to a number of age-related factors, and conversely, malnutrition can worsen declining physiological and psychosocial conditions. The purpose of this study was to determine the nutritional status of an elderly, ambulatory outpatient population, and to evaluate change in nutritional status over a 2-year period. The 209 subjects were male veterans, over 65 years of age without acute disease-related nutritional risk factors. Nutrient intake was determined through food recalls and food frequency questionnaires. Anthropometrics included circumferences and skinfolds. Laboratory measures included selected minerals and vitamins, as well as hematological and lipid profiles. Mean intake of nutrients generally met or exceeded the Recommended Dietary Allowances with the exception of calories, although > 25% of subjects consumed inadequate amounts of thiamine, vitamin A, vitamin C, and calcium. Few subjects were found to be extremely underweight or obese, although skinfolds decreased over the two years. Mean laboratory measures were within normal range with the exception of selenium, cholesterol, and low density lipoprotein. Dietary, biochemical, and anthropometric data indicate good nutritional status in general, although dietary vitamin C, vitamin A, and calcium may be poor in subgroups; body fat as assessed by skinfolds appeared to decline; and selenium, lipid profiles, and hematological profiles warrant further investigation.

Topics: Aged; Aging; Anthropometry; Ascorbic Acid; Body Mass Index; Body Weight; Calcium, Dietary; Cholesterol; Energy Intake; Food; Geriatric Assessment; Humans; Lipoproteins, LDL; Longitudinal Studies; Male; Minerals; Nutrition Assessment; Nutrition Disorders; Nutrition Policy; Nutritional Status; Outpatients; Risk Factors; Selenium; Skinfold Thickness; Thiamine; Veterans; Vitamin A; Vitamins

To monitor the effects of low, fixed incomes on the dietaries and nutritional well-being of elderly people.. A questionnaire gathered data from a 'high income' sample (HIS) and a 'low income' sample (LIS) on income, eating and shopping patterns and nutritional awareness. A dietary diary provided the data required for a nutritional analysis of the foodstuffs consumed by the sample and inadequacies were identified by comparing nutrient intake to the Dept. of Health's (1991) Dietary Recommended Values (DRVs).. The dietaries of the low income sample showed substantial shortfalls from those officially recommended and these are presented as the result, primarily, of income poverty and not the consequence of ignorance or mental decline. The older poor know what healthy eating entails; in most cases, they simply cannot afford and indeed, the dietaries are often inferior to the 'general poor', because of the idiosyncracies of their nutritional requirements.. The inability of the older poor to purchase a healthy dietary cannot be solved merely by health education or budgeting skills. Primarily, they need more money.

Topics: Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Ascorbic Acid; Calcium, Dietary; Diet; Dietary Fats; Energy Intake; England; Female; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; Humans; Iodine; Male; Minerals; Nutrition Disorders; Nutritional Status; Nutritive Value; Polysaccharides; Poverty; Socioeconomic Factors; Vitamin D; Vitamins

Two patients developed the clinical picture of scorbut and simultaneous wet beriberi. The diagnosis was confirmed by low concentrations of ascorbic acid and thiamin and thiaminfosfate-ester in serum and in whole blood. Treatment with ascorbic acid led to a rapid reversal of scorbutic changes, but the changes due to the wet beri-beri persisted. Thiamine supplementation was given only perorally in the first patient, and a severe catabolic state in the other delayed the improvement in the beriberi. Direct determination of ascorbic acid and thiamin and thiaminfosfate-esters in serum and in whole blood may confirm the diagnosis of vitamin deficiencies.

Topics: Aged; Alcohol Drinking; Ascorbic Acid; Beriberi; Humans; Male; Nutrition Disorders; Scurvy; Thiamine

In experiments involving the induction of squamous cell carcinoma in 1846 hairless mice that were maintained on a wide variety of diets, it was found that those diets with the least optimum balance of nutrients had the greatest inhibitory effect on growth of cancer. Rate of onset and severity of tumors was caused to vary over a 20-fold range by means of dietary balance alone. These experiments suggest that dietary variation in general and intentional malnutrition in particular should be given special attention in the control of existing cancer in humans.

Topics: Animal Feed; Animals; Ascorbic Acid; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell; Diet; Dietary Proteins; Female; Fruit; Mice; Mice, Hairless; Neoplasms, Radiation-Induced; Nutrition Disorders; Skin Neoplasms; Ultraviolet Rays; Vegetables; Vitamin E

Four cases of scurvy diagnosed within a period of two years are reported. They comprised 2 male patients with heavy nicotine and alcohol abuse, a 35-year-old woman with malnutrition due to food supplements phobia, and a 69-year-old woman with malnutrition due to dementia and social isolation. All four patients were adynamic and anemic. Three patients showed typical dermatologic signs with hemorrhagic hyperceratosis, suffusions or cork-screw hair. Two patients complained of parodontol disorders. Other symptoms were gastrointestinal bleeding, sicca syndrome, retinal bleeding, subdural hematoma, edema and arthralgia. Associated disorders were folic acid and vitamin B12 depletion in two cases, and nephropathy and pneumonia with pneumothorax in one case each. In all cases the serum asorbic acid concentration was below the scorbutic level of 11 mumol/l. Historical data, pathogenesis, incidence, clinical presentation, diagnosis and therapy of scurvy are discussed. We conclude that scurvy can be observed even in a developed country such as Switzerland at the end of the 20th century. The real incidence may be underestimated because symptoms are not well known and disappear rapidly after admission because of sufficient vitamin C content in normal diet. Patients at risk are socially isolated alcoholics, old people, psychiatric patients and diet enthusiasts. Usually scurvy occurs in conjunction with other deficiencies. Smoking and acute illness enhance ascorbic acid depletion. With a knowledge of the symptomatology of scurvy, it is easy to diagnose and treatment is simple and effective.

Topics: Adult; Aged; Alcoholism; Ascorbic Acid; Dementia; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Nutrition Disorders; Periodontal Diseases; Scurvy; Smoking; Social Isolation

Topics: Anti-Bacterial Agents; Ascorbic Acid; Child; Colonic Diseases; Female; Humans; Kidney Diseases; Malacoplakia; Nutrition Disorders; Parenteral Nutrition; Rectal Diseases

Topics: Ascorbic Acid; Body Height; Body Weight; Diet; Exercise Test; Humans; Nutrition Disorders; Vitamin A

The results of a survey of indicators of nutritional status in patients on admission to wards in the Department of Health Care of the Elderly in Nottingham are reported. Results outside conventional limits of normality are common. Little or none of the observed variance in the biochemical indicators in this population is explained by age or sex. Weight, mid-arm circumference, triceps skinfold thickness, albumin, retinol binding protein and retinol tend to be lower in patients who subsequently die, in patients who are clinically classified as thin or wasted, in patients with poor appetites and in patients with a diagnosis of malignancy. Plasma vitamin C, erythrocyte glutathione reductase activation coefficient and erythrocyte transketolase activation coefficient do not show these trends and are likely to be determined by different factors.

Topics: Aged; Appetite; Arm; Ascorbic Acid; Body Weight; Erythrocytes; Female; Hospitalization; Humans; Male; Nutrition Disorders; Retinol-Binding Proteins; Retinol-Binding Proteins, Plasma; Serum Albumin; Sex Factors; Skinfold Thickness; Vitamin A

Topics: Adult; Aged; Ascorbic Acid; Australia; Female; Humans; Infant, Newborn; Male; Nutrition Disorders; Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; Nutritional Requirements; United States; Vitamin B Complex; Vitamin E; Vitamins

Topics: Age Factors; Animals; Ascorbic Acid; Brain; Glutathione; Nutrition Disorders; Rats

The first section of this paper reviews some of the effects of fetal and postnatal nutritional status on central nervous system development. It is seen that early malnutrition can be an important determinant of visual performance in children. The second section described the key role of vitamin A in the visual process. The consequences of primary and secondary vitamin A deficiencies are considered. The third section discusses some effects of diet on vision, including the role of the B vitamins and vitamin C.

Topics: Ascorbic Acid; Child; Diet; Female; Fetal Growth Retardation; Galactosemias; Humans; Nutrition Disorders; Optometry; Placenta Diseases; Pregnancy; Vision, Ocular; Vitamin A; Vitamin A Deficiency; Vitamin B Complex

Weanling rats were fed diets with and without the addition of retinyl palmitate at 6,500 units/kg. The supplemented groups were fed either ad libitum or food was restricted daily to that amount consumed by the group of rats receiving the unsupplemented diet. After a 10 week experimental period, signs of vitamin A deficiency were observed (growth plateau, xerophthalmia) and liver values as retinol were only 1% of control values. Relative to the two control groups, vitamin A deficiency resulted in approximately 30% lower liver, 50% lower blood and 40% lower urinary ascorbic acid. Vitamin A deficiency did not appear to result in significant and direct impairment of GAG sulfate metabolism. Although the total amount of GAG in rat skin was increased, the composition of GAG fractions did not appear to be altered by vitamin A deficiency. Studies regarding the incorporation and disappearance of 35S-sulfate in vivo into GAG fractions obtained from skin indicated no serious impairment in GAG turnover with vitamin A deficiency. Twenty-four hour urine samples were also collected for estimation of 35SO4 excreted in GAG and non-GAG fractions. Likewise, little change was observed with respect to radioactivity associated with sulfate fractions excreted in urine. Although many previous studies have directly linked vitamin A with sulfation of GAG, the results reported here suggest that if there is an alteration in GAG sulfate metabolism, it is probably an indirect consequence of vitamin A status.

Topics: Animals; Ascorbic Acid; Glycosaminoglycans; Liver; Nutrition Disorders; Rats; Skin; Sulfates; Uronic Acids; Vitamin A; Vitamin A Deficiency

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Age Factors; Aged; Ascorbic Acid; Ascorbic Acid Deficiency; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Nutrition Disorders

Topics: Animal Feed; Animal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; Animals; Ascorbic Acid; Cat Diseases; Cats; Dietary Proteins; Meat; Nutrition Disorders; Nutritional Requirements; Osteogenesis Imperfecta; Plant Proteins, Dietary; Riboflavin Deficiency; Rickets; Thiamine Deficiency; Urinary Calculi; Vitamin A; Vitamin A Deficiency; Vitamin B 6 Deficiency; Vitamin D Deficiency; Vitamin E Deficiency

Topics: Adrenal Cortex; Adrenal Glands; Animals; Ascorbic Acid; Carbohydrate Metabolism; Fasting; Mice; Nutrition Disorders; Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; Pantothenic Acid; Swine; Vitamin A

Two indices of the possibility of malnutrition were constructed from the number of nutrients (up to 10) taken in amounts below recommended levels (index A) or below specified lower levels (index B). Values for these indices were determined from nutritional data for 264 old people living at home. High values for both indices were significantly related to the amount spent on food per week, the taken ing of 7 or fewer hot meals per week, and the presence of physical disability, but not to social class, living alone, or presence of a psychiatric diagnosis. The amount spent on food per week, taking 7 or fewer hot meals per week, and physical disability, are thus possible pointers to malnutrition in the elderly at home and may be useful for screening purposes.

Topics: Aged; Ascorbic Acid; Calcium, Dietary; Diet; Dietary Proteins; Female; Humans; Iron; Male; Mental Disorders; Nicotinic Acids; Nutrition Disorders; Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; Nutritional Requirements; Potassium; Riboflavin; Scotland; Social Class; Thiamine; Vitamin D

Topics: Aged; Anemia, Hypochromic; Ascorbic Acid; Australia; Avitaminosis; Calcium; Cooking; Diet; Feeding Behavior; Female; Financing, Personal; Folic Acid; Food; Humans; Male; Meat; Middle Aged; Nutrition Disorders; Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; Nutritional Requirements; Obesity; Social Welfare

Little is known about the dietary patterns and nutrient intakes of preschool children in Australia. A study was undertaken in Perth on Australian and migrant children to obtain information on preschool diets. It was found that, although the mean nutrient intakes in both groups were adequate, some individual migrant national groups showed deficiencies of one or more nutrients. Many children were obtaining excessive calories and protein. The consumption of "empty calorie" foods was also high. In order to find different ways to teach good principles and practice of nutrition, the types of media which might influence parents were studied. It was considered that television and, to a lesser degree, radio were media which might exert a considerable effect if they were used to the best advantage. These forms of communication particularly were of potential value, as some migrant parents could not read English and some were illiterate. A positive nutrition education programme to combat commerical food advertising of "empty calorie" foods is recommended.

Topics: Ascorbic Acid; Australia; Calcium, Dietary; Child; Child Care; Child Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; Child, Preschool; Dietary Proteins; Educational Status; Emigration and Immigration; Ethnicity; Feeding Behavior; Humans; Infant; Iron; Nutrition Disorders; Parents; Schools, Nursery; Vitamin A; Vitamin B Complex

Clinical, biochemical and nutritional data were collected from a large population of women using oral contraceptive agents. Higher incidence of abnormal clinical signs related to malnutrition were observed in the lower (B) as compared to the higher (A) socioeconomic groups, and also in the nonsupplemented groups as compared to the supplemented groups in the B subjects. As a rule the intake of oral contraceptive agent subjects of vitamin A, C, B6 and folic acid did not differ from that of the controls As expected, subjects from the supplemented groups had higher intake of vitamin A, C, B6, thiamin, riboflavin and folic acid, and A groups had higher intake of vitamin C, B6, riboflavin and folic acid. Increased plasma vitamin A and decreased carotene levels were observed in oral contraceptive agent users. In general oral contraceptive agents had little or no effect on plasma ascorbic acid. Urinary excretion of both thiamin and riboflavin in subjects using oral contraceptive agents were lower in A groups. Erythrocyte folate and plasma pyridoxal phosphate was decreased in A groups due to oral contraceptive agents. Subjects who took supplements had higher levels of plasma vitamin A, ascorbic acid and folate. But urinary thiamin and riboflavin were higher only in group A subjects who took supplements.. 18-45 year old women were tested to determine if the use of oral contraceptive agents (OCAs) affects the metabolism of vitamins. 4 different hormonal conditions and 2 socioeconomic levels in 8 groups were considered. Some of each socioeconomic level had taken Norinyl (1 mg norethisterone and 50 mcg mestranol) for 3 months or more. Others had used Ovral (.5 mg norgestrel and 5 mcg ethinyl estradiol) for equal periods. There were some in each group who had resumed use of OCAs during lactation within 5 weeks after pregnancy. Vitamins and mineral supplements were given to groups in each socioeconomic classification. They had a higher intake of Vitamins-A, C, thiamin, riboflavin, and folic acid. Incidence of clinical sings of malnutrition, such as dry skin, easily pluckable hair, angular lesions of the mouth, dental caries, bleeding gums, glossitis, and scaling of the skin, were significantly more frequently observed in the lower socioeconomic groups, and especially in nonsupplemented groups of women taking OCAs than in others. OCA administration increased plasma Vitamin-A levels but no socioeconomic effect was found. Plasma carotene levels were decreased by OCA therapy, but less so in the higher socioeconomic subjects. Plasma ascorbate was not affected by OCA use. Urinary excretion of thiamin annd riboflavin was decreased in subjects using OCAs. Erythrocyte folate and plasma pyridoxal phosphate (PLP) were also decreased. Results show a definite lowering effect of OCAs on red cell folate in subjects in the upper socioeconomic levels. There may also be a depletion of body stores of folic acid. It has been suggested that women who become pregnant soon after discontinuing OCA therapy have a high chance of developing folic acid deficiency during pregnancy. The lower socioeconomic group may be marginally deficient in folic acid. Similar results were obtained with thiamin and riboflavin. Changes due to OCA use with respect to thiamin, riboflavin, folate, and PLP were seen mainly in subjects in the upper lower socioeconomic groups may have prevented detection of smaller similar alterations due to OCA use.

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Ascorbic Acid; Contraceptives, Oral; Contraceptives, Oral, Synthetic; Ethinyl Estradiol; Female; Folic Acid; Humans; Male; Mestranol; Norethindrone; Norgestrel; Nutrition Disorders; Pyridoxine; Riboflavin; Socioeconomic Factors; Thiamine; Vitamin A; Vitamin B Complex

Topics: Anthropometry; Ascorbic Acid; Body Composition; Calcium, Dietary; Diet; Dietary Proteins; Food; Food Supply; Health Education; Humans; Iron; Italy; Nutrition Disorders; Nutrition Surveys; Nutritional Requirements; Plant Proteins, Dietary; Riboflavin; Socioeconomic Factors; Vitamin A

Topics: Ascorbic Acid; Creatinine; Diet Surveys; Dietary Proteins; Epidemiology; Humans; Nitrogen; Nutrition Disorders; Nutrition Surveys; Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; Occupations; Physical Exertion; Riboflavin; Sulfates; Urea

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Ascorbic Acid; Chemistry, Clinical; Child; Child, Preschool; Evaluation Studies as Topic; Female; Health Surveys; Hemoglobins; Humans; Infant; Male; Methods; Middle Aged; Nutrition Disorders; Nutrition Surveys; Physical Examination; Population; Socioeconomic Factors; United States; Vitamin A

Topics: Adult; Ascorbic Acid; Color; Condiments; Erythrocytes; Female; Food Additives; Food, Fortified; Humans; Humidity; Intestinal Absorption; Iron; Iron Deficiencies; Iron Radioisotopes; Middle Aged; Nutrition Disorders; Oryza; Phosphates; Sodium Chloride; Starch; Sulfates; Tropical Climate

Topics: Ascorbic Acid; Child; Female; Humans; Leukocytes; Male; Nutrition Disorders

Topics: Aged; Ascorbic Acid; Diet; England; Female; Geriatrics; Humans; Male; Nutrition Disorders; Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; Scotland; Vitamin D

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Anemia, Hypochromic; Ascorbic Acid; Child; Child Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; Child, Preschool; Demography; Dental Caries; Diet; DMF Index; Ethnicity; Female; Humans; Infant; Infant Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; Male; Nutrition Disorders; Nutrition Surveys; Obesity; Pediatrics; Pregnancy; Societies, Medical; Socioeconomic Factors; United States; Vitamin A

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Alcoholism; Ascorbic Acid; Ascorbic Acid Deficiency; Avitaminosis; Female; Hair; Hemoglobins; Hospitalization; Humans; Liver Diseases; Male; Middle Aged; Nutrition Disorders; Peptic Ulcer; Protein Deficiency; Proteins; Rehabilitation, Vocational; Serum Albumin; Vitamin A; Vitamin A Deficiency; Vitamin E; Vitamin E Deficiency

Topics: Animals; Antioxidants; Ascorbic Acid; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Epididymis; Female; Infertility, Male; Male; Nutrition Disorders; Rats; Selenium; Semen; Spermatogenesis; Spermatozoa; Testis; Vitamin E

Topics: Aged; Aging; Ascorbic Acid; Dietary Carbohydrates; Dietary Proteins; Eating; Female; Habits; Health; Humans; Male; Nutrition Disorders; Nutritional Physiological Phenomena

Topics: Adrenal Glands; Aging; Animals; Animals, Newborn; Ascorbic Acid; Asphyxia; Brain; Brain Stem; Cerebellum; Female; Fetus; Guinea Pigs; Liver; Male; Nutrition Disorders; Pregnancy; Rats; Starvation

Topics: Adjuvants, Immunologic; Animals; Ascorbic Acid; Autoimmune Diseases; Epididymis; Guinea Pigs; Immunization; Male; Nutrition Disorders; Orchitis; Skin Tests; Testis; Vegetables

Topics: Ascorbic Acid; Carotenoids; Cholesterol; Demography; Female; Hematocrit; Heroin Dependence; Humans; Male; Methadone; New York City; Nutrition Disorders; Sex Factors; Vitamin A

Topics: Ascorbic Acid; Child, Preschool; Humans; India; Infant; Nutrition Disorders; Socioeconomic Factors

Topics: Aged; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Ascorbic Acid; Bronchitis; Female; Humans; Hypothermia; Male; Nutrition Disorders; Respiratory Tract Infections; Seasons

Topics: Ascorbic Acid; Calcium; Dietary Carbohydrates; Dietary Proteins; Female; Food Analysis; Humans; Iron; Male; Mental Disorders; Nicotinic Acids; Nutrition Disorders; Nutrition Surveys; Riboflavin; Thiamine; Tryptophan; Vitamin A; Vitamins

Topics: Ascorbic Acid; Black People; Body Height; Body Weight; Calcium, Dietary; Cephalometry; Child Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; Child, Preschool; Computers; Creatinine; Diet; Dietary Proteins; Ethnicity; Evaluation Studies as Topic; Female; Hemoglobins; Humans; Hydroxyproline; Iron; Male; Mass Screening; Mathematics; Methods; Mississippi; Nutrition Disorders; Nutrition Surveys; Riboflavin; Serum Albumin; Sex Factors; Socioeconomic Factors; Statistics as Topic; Thiamine; Vitamin A

Topics: Adolescent; Ascorbic Acid; Ascorbic Acid Deficiency; Child; Child Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; Child, Preschool; Humans; Infant; Infant Nutrition Disorders; Nutrition Disorders; Scurvy

Topics: Animals; Ascorbic Acid; Calcium; Copper; Deficiency Diseases; Diet; Diet Therapy; Female; Humans; Iron; Male; Minerals; Nutrition Disorders; Phosphorus; Proteins; Tuberculosis; Vitamin A; Vitamin B Complex

Topics: Adult; Ascorbic Acid; Ascorbic Acid Deficiency; Diet Therapy; Humans; Male; Nutrition Disorders; Oral Manifestations; Scurvy

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Ascorbic Acid; Blood Proteins; Child; Child, Preschool; Diet; Female; Hemoglobinometry; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Nigeria; Nutrition Disorders; Oral Health; Periodontal Diseases; Periodontal Index; Socioeconomic Factors

Topics: Ascorbic Acid; Diet; Drug Stability; Folic Acid; Humans; Iron; Nutrition Disorders; Nutritional Requirements; Vitamin B 12; Vitamin D

Topics: Anemia, Hypochromic; Ascorbic Acid; Body Height; Body Weight; Calcium; Child; Child Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; Child, Preschool; Demography; Diet; Dietary Proteins; Humans; Infant; Iron; Mississippi; Nutrition Disorders; Nutrition Surveys; Nutritional Requirements; Physical Examination; Poverty; Sampling Studies; Socioeconomic Factors; Vitamin A

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Anemia, Hypochromic; Ascorbic Acid; Humans; Iron; Nutrition Disorders; Time Factors; Vitamin B Complex; Vitamins

Topics: Adult; Anemia, Hypochromic; Ascorbic Acid; Female; Humans; Intestinal Absorption; Iron; Male; Middle Aged; Nutrition Disorders; Vitamin B 12; Vitamin B Complex; Vitamins

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Ascorbic Acid; Body Height; Body Weight; Cholesterol; Czechoslovakia; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Nutrition Disorders; Nutrition Surveys; Obesity; Phospholipids

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Ascorbic Acid; Ascorbic Acid Deficiency; Blood Proteins; Carotenoids; Child; Child, Preschool; Food; Food Supply; Humans; Infant; Infant, Newborn; Iodine; Middle Aged; Mortality; Nicotinic Acids; Nutrition Disorders; Nutrition Surveys; Philippines; Population; Riboflavin; Thiamine; Vitamin A; Vitamin A Deficiency; Vitamin B Deficiency

Topics: Ascorbic Acid; Attitude; Calcium; Dietary Proteins; Feeding Behavior; Female; Humans; Infant; Infant Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; Infant, Newborn; Male; Maternal Welfare; Nepal; Nicotinic Acids; Nutrition Disorders; Nutrition Surveys; Pregnancy; Riboflavin; Thiamine; Vitamin A; Weaning

Topics: Anemia, Pernicious; Ascorbic Acid; Ascorbic Acid Deficiency; Diet; Humans; Leukocytes; Male; Middle Aged; Nutrition Disorders; Postgastrectomy Syndromes; Radionuclide Imaging; Scurvy; Splenic Rupture; Thrombocytopenia; Ultrasonics

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Ascorbic Acid; Blood Chemical Analysis; Calcium; Carotenoids; Child; Child, Preschool; Creatine; Dietary Proteins; Female; Helminthiasis; Humans; Infant; Infant, Newborn; Iron; Male; Middle Aged; Nicotinic Acids; Nutrition Disorders; Nutrition Surveys; Puerto Rico; Riboflavin; Rural Health; Thiamine; Vitamin A

Topics: Ascorbic Acid; Avitaminosis; Humans; Nutrition Disorders; Nutrition Surveys; Pyridoxine; Riboflavin; Thiamine; United States

Topics: Aged; Amylases; Ascorbic Acid; Cellulose; Chronic Disease; Deficiency Diseases; Dehydrocholic Acid; Geriatrics; Humans; Lipase; Niacinamide; Nutrition Disorders; Pantothenic Acid; Peptide Hydrolases; Pyridoxine; Riboflavin; Thiamine; Vitamin A; Vitamin D; Vitamins

Topics: Animals; Antioxidants; Ascorbic Acid; Avitaminosis; Cricetinae; Dental Caries; Edible Grain; Flavones; Nutrition Disorders; Plant Structures; Pregnancy; Rats; Research; Vitamin B Complex; Vitamins; Yeasts

Topics: Ascorbic Acid; Blood Chemical Analysis; Child; Gastroenteritis; Jaundice; Liver Diseases; Liver Function Tests; Nutrition Disorders; Respiratory Tract Diseases; Rickets

Topics: Anemia; Anemia, Macrocytic; Anemia, Megaloblastic; Ascorbic Acid; Blood Transfusion; Child; Diarrhea; Folic Acid; Humans; Infant; Infections; Nutrition Disorders

Topics: Ascorbic Acid; Avitaminosis; Carbohydrate Metabolism; Diet; Guinea Pigs; Humans; Nutrition Disorders; Vitamins

Topics: Ascorbic Acid; Child; Humans; Infant; Nutrition Disorders; Vitamins

Topics: Adrenal Cortex Hormones; Ascorbic Acid; Avitaminosis; Granulation Tissue; Humans; Nutrition Disorders; Vitamin E; Vitamins