• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• 제37권2호
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• pp.115-122
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• 2004

Adequate vitamin B$_2$ vitamin B$_{6}$, folate and vitamin B$_{12}$ nutrition is known to be important for reproductive function in women of childbearing age. The purpose of this study was to evaluate serum vitamin B$_2$ vitamin B$_{6}$, folate and vitamin B$_{12}$ status and serum homocysteine levels in 115 women aged 33.2$\pm$4.0 years, who had been diagnosed with infertility, and 49 women aged 34.5$\pm$3.8 years having at least one born child. Total vitamin B$_2$ and vitamin B$_{6}$ intakes in infertile women were significantly lower than those in control. Serum vitamin B$_2$ vitamin B$_{6}$, folate and vitamin B$_{12}$ concentrations were significantly lower in infertile women than those in control and serum homocysteine levels were significantly higher in infertile women than those in control. Thirteen percent in infertile women and zero percent in control were assessed as hyperhomocysteinemic and there was a significant difference in the prevalence of hyperhomocysteinemia between infertile women and control. 41% infertile women were assessed as folate deficiency. Serum folate concentrations was negatively correlated with serum homocysteine of the infertile women and control. Total vitamin B$_2$ intakes was negatively correlated with serum homocysteine of the infertile women and control. Total vitamin B$_{6}$, folate intakes were negatively correlated with homocysteine of infertile women only. In conclusion, infertile women are needed to intake more B vitamins intakes. Furthermore researches are needed to estimate adequate B vitamin supplementation in infertile women. (Korean J Nutrition 37(2): 115-122, 2004): 115-122, 2004)

• 동아시아식생활학회지
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• 제19권6호
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• pp.846-855
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• 2009

This study was performed to assess gender differences in rates of obesity, dietary behaviors, and nutrient intakes among college students living in Gwangju. Anthropometric measurements showed that the body mass indexes (BMIs) of the males and females were $22.1{\pm}2.6$ and $20.1{\pm}2.4$ respectively. All obesity indices including BMI, relative body weight (RBW), % body fat by bioelectrical impedence analysis (BIA), and waist-hip ratio (WHR) were significantly higher in the males than in the females. Abdominal fat was also found to be higher in the males whereas underweight was prominent in the female students. The dietary behaviors of the males as determined by dietary scores, were poorer than those of the females. Twenty-four hour dietary recalls revealed that most nutrient intakes were adequate, exceptions of vitamin C, Ca, and folate intakes in both sexes and Fe intake in the female students. Ca and folate intakes were below 75% of the KDRI for both genders. In addition, Unbalanced energy ratios of carbohydrate, protein, and fat were noted in both genders. Effective nutrition education programs targeting college students should be developed and implemented to increase Ca and folate consumption. It is suggested that gender-based nutrition education approaches be created due to poor dietary behavior in males and inadequate nutrient intakes in female college students.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• 제55권3호
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• pp.330-347
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• 2022

엽산은 비타민 B군에 속하는 수용성 비타민으로, 핵산 합성과 아미노산 대사에서 단일탄소를 전달해 주는 반응의 조효소 역할을 한다. 엽산은 새로운 세포가 형성되어 성장하는 임신기와 성장기에 매우 중요한 영양소이며, 여성의 임신 전 적절한 엽산 영양상태는 신경관 결손증을 예방한다고 알려져 있다. 이 외에도 엽산 섭취 부족은 빈혈, 고호모시스테인혈증, 심혈관질환, 암, 인지 장애, 우울증 등 다양한 질병과도 관련이 있다고 보고되어, 엽산은 전 생애주기 동안 건강을 유지하기 위해 충분히 섭취해야 하는 영양소이다. 본 연구에서는 2020 한국인 엽산 섭취기준의 개정 근거를 살펴보고, 국민건강영양조사로부터 엽산 섭취량과 혈청 엽산 농도를 성별, 연령대별로 분석하였으며, 향후 엽산 섭취기준 개정에 참고할 만한 내용을 제언하였다. 표준체중의 변경에 따라 영아 후기의 충분섭취량과 15-18세의 평균필요량이 2015년과 달리 변경되었으나, 권장섭취량과 상한섭취량에는 변화가 없었다. 2016-2018년 국민건강영양조사 결과에서 대부분의 연령에서 엽산 섭취량은 권장섭취량에 미치지 못하였으며 특히 15-29세 여성의 섭취량이 권장섭취량 대비 매우 낮았다. 임신부와 수유부의 엽산 섭취량도 권장섭취량 대비 60% 이하로 낮았으나, 혈액수준은 다른 연령층에 비해 높아 보충제를 섭취한 결과로 보인다. 앞으로 국민건강영양조사에서 보충제 섭취량도 조사해야 할 것이며, 엽산의 섭취량 평가를 위해서는 생식품, 조리된 식품, 강화식품 중의 엽산 함량에 대한 DB가 구축되어야 할 것이다. 또한 혈청 엽산 뿐 아니라 적혈구 엽산 농도와 혈장 호모시스테인 농도도 분석할 필요가 있으며, 분석방법에 대한 질 관리가 필요하다.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• 제31권3호
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• pp.271-278
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• 1998

Folate coenzymes are involved in one-carbon transfer reactions needed for the synthesis of nucleic acids, amino acids, and proteins which are very important for cell proliferation and differentiation. To investigate the effects of dietary folate content on plasma and tissue folate concentrations and on folate excretions in urine and feces, male Sprague-Dawley rats were raised for 4-10 weeks on semi-purified experimental diets containing 0mg, 2 mg, 8mg folate/kg diet. Folate concentrations were determined microbiologically using Lactobacillius casei (ATCC 7469). When compared to the folate adequate diet, the folate deficient diet decreased folate levels in plasma, liver and kidney , and the values were further decreased with experimental period. In rats reviving folate supplemented diets, plasma , liver and kidney folate adequate or supplemented diets, folate concentrations weer increased compared to animals on the folate adequate diet. In the folate adequate or supplemented diets, folate concentrations in the plasma and kidney were maintained at essentially the same level for 10 weeks . Folate concentrations in the liver, however, continued to increase with experimental period. Dietary folate intake seems to influence plasma and liver folate concentrations more than kidney folate concentrations. Folate excretions unrine and feces were significantly increased with dietary foalte intakes and experimental period. Folate excreted via urine was consideerably greater than that via feces. These resutls indicated that the foate supplemented diet improved plasma and tissue foalte status. Whether folate supplmentation improves foalte-dependent reactions remains to be researched.

• 한국식품영양과학회지
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• 제26권5호
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• pp.983-992
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• 1997

During pregnancy and lactation, folate status is important because folate requirements increase during the periods as well as maternal folate status influences on pregnancy outcome and human milk folate; especially folate deficiency around periconceptional period may induce neural tube defects(NTDs) of fetus. There have been a plenty of evidences that maternal folate status deteriorates during pregnancy of fetus. There have been a plenty of evidences that maternal folate status deteriorates during pregnancy and lactation if folate needed is not sufficiently provided. The Public health Service of the United States recommends all child-bearing is not sufficiently provided. The Public Health Service of the United States recommends all child-bearing women to intake 0.4mg of folate daily, and the Food and Drug Administration the folate status of child-bearing women and to reduce the rate of occurrence of NTDs. Many authors have insisted that the current recommended dietary allowances of folate for Americans are too low to maintain good folate status. There are little data about Korean folate status including pregant and lactating women. A couple of reports indicated that the folate intakes of Korean pregant and lactating women are below the Korean RDAs of folate and serum folate levels of them are subnormal. The authors pregnant and lactating women. Therefore, it is worth to review the assessment methods of folate status of pregnant and lactating women, folate RDAs for them, the relationships between maternal folate status and pregnancy outcome as well as human milk folate, the methods to increase folate intake, and the problems of large dose of folic acid supplementatiion.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• 제38권4호
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• pp.313-319
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• 2005

Adequate vitamin $B_2$, vitamin $B_6$, folate and vitamin $B_{12}$ intakes are known to be important for the growth and development in infants. The purpose of this study was to evaluate concentrations of vitamin $B_2$, vitamin $B_6$, folate and vitamin $B_{12}$ in human milk and to investigate the relationship between vitamin B levels in human milk and dietary habits and other health-related behaviors. Milk samples were obtained from 38 healthy lactating women (aged 29.0 $\pm$ 3.2 years) who are participating in the cohort study on pregnant women. Vitamin $B_2$ concentrations in human milk were positively correlated with maternal vitamin $B_2$ intakes in lactating mothers. Vitamin $B_6$, folate and vitamin $B_{12}$ concentrations in human milk were not correlated with maternal B vitamin intakes. Vitamin $B_6$ concentrations in human milk were negatively correlated with the amount of postpartum weight loss. The vitamin B concentrations in human milk were not associated with maternal age, height, weight and parity. Mothers who were exposed to indirect smoking had lower vitamin $B_2$ concentrations, and those who reported to consume health foods had higher vitamin $B_2$ concentrations in their milk. In conclusion, lactating women need to consume more vitamin B intakes for the growth and development in infants. Further researches are needed to find other diet and health-related factors which influence on B vitamin concentrations in human milk.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• 제2권3호
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• pp.178-183
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• 2008

The assessment of children's nutritional intakes is important because any nutritional inadequacies or toxicities may have adverse consequences. Studies on the nutritional intakes of Korean children are limited. The aims of this study were to determine anthropometric indices, estimate selectee nutrient intakes of young Korean children, and compare these intakes with current Dietary Reference Intakes for Koreans. This study included 136 healthy children(65 boys, 71 girls), 2-6 y old, living in Kwangju, Korea. Weights and heights were measured. Three consecutive 24-h food recalls were obtained. According to International Obesity Taskforce BMI cutoffs, 8% were overweight and 2% were obese. The energy intakes of 40% were < Korean Estimated Energy Requirements, while all subjects consumed $\geq$ Korean Estimated Average Requirement(EAR) for protein. The majority of the children consumed > Korean EAR for iron, zinc, vitamin $B_1$, vitamin $B_2$, vitamin $B_6$, and niacin. Vitamin E intakes of 65% of the Korean children were < Korean Adequate Intake, and approximately half of the subjects had < Korean EAR for calcium and for folate. Many young children in Kwangju, Korea, likely have inadequate status of calcium, folate, and vitamin E.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• 제1권3호
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• pp.163-174
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• 2007

Folate has received international attention regarding its role in the risk-reduction of birth defects, specifically neural tube defects (NTDs). In 1998 health officials in Canada, like the United States, mandated the addition of folic acid to white flour and select grain product's to increase the folate intake of reproductive-aged women. Subsequent to this initiative there has been an increase in blood folate concentrations in Canada and a 50% reduction in NTDs. Many countries, including Korea, have not mandated folic acid fortification of their food supply. Reasons vary but often include concern over the masking of vitamin $B_{12}$ deficiency, a belief that folate intakes among womenare adequate, low priority relative to other domestic issues, and the philosophy that individuals have the right not to consume supplemental folic acid if they so choose. Prior to folic acid fortification of the food supply in Canada, the folate intakes of women were low, and their blood folate concentrations while not sufficiently low to produce overt signs of folate deficiency (eg. anemia) were inconsistent with a level known to reduce the risk of an NTD-affected pregnancy. The purpose of this article is to describe the role of folate during the periconceptional period, pregnancy, and during lactation. The rationale for, and history of recommending folic acid-containing supplements during the periconceptional period and pregnancy is described as is folic acid fortification of the food supply. The impact of folic acid fortification in Canada is discussed, and unresolved issues associated with this policy described. While the incidence of NTDs in Canada pre-folic acid fortification were seemingly higherthan that of Korea today, blood folate levels of Korean women are strikingly similar. We will briefly explore these parallels in an attempt to understand whether folic acid fortification of the food supply in Korean might be worth consideration.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• 제37권10호
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• pp.881-887
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• 2004

Elevated plasma homocysteine is an independent risk factor for the development of cardiovascular disease. Exercise is generally believed to reduce the plasma homocysteine levels and therefore, being beneficial for cardiovascular disease (CVD). However, there is a possibility that athletes undergoing strenuous training and competition which increase oxidative stress may suffer from increased plasma homocysteine levels. The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of endurance training on the plasma concentrations of B vitamins and homocysteine in 23 male adolescent field hockey players. Data collection and blood sampling was performed during the training period and non-training period. Following the training period, significant changes in energy and vitamin B6 intakes were observed in these subjects. Plasma vitamin B2, pyridoxal phosphate (PLP) and homocysteine levels were significantly higher during the training period than non-training period, whereas no difference was observed in plasma folate and vitamin B12 levels. Positive correlation was observed between plasma folate and folic acid intakes. When energy, B vitamin intakes were adjusted there was a significant negative correlation between plasma homocysteine levels and plasma riboflavin, folate and vitamin B12 levels. In conclusion, it is suggested that athletes with oxidative stress by strenuous exercise may need B vitamins since riboflavin, folic acid and vitamin Bl2 were shown to be negatively correlated with plasma homocysteine in athletes during the training period.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• 제32권6호
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• pp.654-660
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• 1999

Folate, a precursor of the coenzyme tetrahydrofolate, plays an important role in DNA replication and cell proliferation, and thus could influence rapidly proliferating immune cells such as leukocytes and splenocytes. The effects of dietary folate on folate concentrations of plasma, thymus, spleen and leukocytes were investigated in rats. The animals were raised for 6 weeks on semipurifed experimental diets containing 0mg, 2mg, 4mg, 8mg folate/kg diet. Folate concentrations were determined microbiologically using Lactobacillus casei(ATCC 7469), and DNA strand breaks produced by alkaline treatment were analyzed fluorometrically. When compared to folate adequate diet, the folate deficient diet(0mg folate/kg diet) resulted in lowest folate levels in plasma, thymus, spleen and leukocytes, and the highest DNA strand breaks in spleen cells and leukocytes. Dietary folate levels significantly increased folate concentrations of immune tissues, leukocytes, and the plasma in a dose dependent manner, folate concentrations being highest with a diet providing 8mg folate/kg diet. The percentages of the double strand DNA remaining in the splenocytes and leukocytes after alkaline treatment were significantly increased with higher amounts of dietary folate in a dose dependent manner. Folate intakes of 8mg than 4mg/kg diet was found to be more effective in the prevention of DNA strand breaks. The results of this study suggest that increased folate above the requirement level could improve DNA stabilities in immune cells.