Original Article
European Journal of Clinical Nutrition (2006) 60, 85–91. doi:10.1038/sj.ejcn.1602271; published online 24 August 2005
Selenium and antioxidant vitamin status of elderly German women
Guarantors: M Wolters and A Hahn.
Contributors: AH and MW originated and designed the study. SH coordinated the study and organised blood sampling and data collection. SG and NK were responsible for the analytical measurements. MW wrote the paper.
M Wolters1, S Hermann1,3, S Golf2, N Katz2 and A Hahn1
- 1Nutrition Physiology and Human Nutrition Unit, Institute of Food Science, Centre of Applied Chemistry, University of Hannover, Hannover, Germany
- 2Institute of Clinical Chemistry, University of Giessen, Giessen, Germany
Correspondence: Dr M Wolters, Nutrition Physiology and Human Nutrition Unit, Institute of Food Science, Centre of Applied Chemistry, University of Hannover, Wunstorfer Str. 14, D-30453 Hannover, Germany. E-mail: maike.wolters@lw.uni-hannover.de
3Current address: Unilever Health Institute, Vlaardingen, The Netherlands.
Received 14 March 2005; Revised 13 June 2005; Accepted 12 July 2005; Published online 24 August 2005.
Abstract
Objective:
Low antioxidant intake and status have been shown to be associated with an elevated risk for various diseases. Data on the status of antioxidant vitamins, selenium and coenzyme Q10 of younger female seniors are scarce. The aim of this study was to assess the status of these antioxidants, as well as influencing factors such as dietary intake, anthropometric data and educational level in female seniors (60–70 years) in Germany.
Design:
Dietary intake of alpha-tocopherol, beta-carotene and ascorbic acid was determined by a 3-day diet record. Serum concentrations of alpha-tocopherol, beta-carotene, ascorbic acid, selenium and coenzyme Q10 were measured. Anthropometric measures, socioeconomic and educational status were assessed.
Setting:
In total, 178 elderly women without severe diseases in the region of Hannover, Germany, were included in the study. The mean (
s.d.) age and BMI of the women was 63.2 (2.73) years and 25.6 (3.77) kg/m2, respectively. The study participants were generally better educated than the overall German female population.
Results:
Dietary intake of the ascorbic acid and alpha-tocopherol was below RDA in six and 75% of the women, respectively. In comparison to estimated desirable serum concentrations of alpha-tocopherol, ascorbic acid, beta-carotene and selenium, lower concentrations were found in 23, 1, 6, and 39% of the women, respectively. Ascorbic acid (r=0.205, P=0.009) and beta-carotene (r=0.173, P=0.025) intake were significantly associated with serum concentrations. Beta-carotene concentrations were influenced by the type of diet, BMI, and school education (R 2=0.128, P<0.001). Serum selenium was positively associated with alcohol intake (r=0.229, P=0.003). Neither employment nor vocational training was predictive for the serum concentrations of antioxidant vitamins, selenium or coenzyme Q10.
Conclusions:
Poor status of selenium and alpha-tocopherol is highly prevalent even among younger, well-educated female seniors, whereas ascorbic acid and beta-carotene status seems sufficient in most women.
Sponsorship:
The study was supported by grants from the Stoll Vita Foundation, Waldshut-Tiengen, Germany.
Keywords:
ascorbic acid, alpha-tocopherol, aging, beta-carotene, coenzyme Q10, nutritional status, ubiquinol, vitamin C, vitamin E
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