• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.122-133
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• 1996

As ciarette smoking adversely affects vitamin C metabolism in humans, smokers need substantially more vitamin C intake than do non-smokers to achieve similar serum vitamin C concentration. To provide the basic information currently available for the determination of vitamin C requirement for Korean smokers, we investigated the differences the serum vitamin C values between smokers(n=53) and non-smokers(n=62) in relation to their intake of the vitamin through diet in 115 male college students, who had not been using vitamin C supplements. Dietary intakes of vitamin C were determined by a 24-hour recall, and serum vitamin C was determined using the 2, 4-dinitrophenylhydrazine method. The mean vitamin C intakes of smokers and non-smokers were consuming less than 75% of the Koeran RDA for vitamin c in their diet. Smokers consumed yellow and green leafy vegetables more often (P=0.02) and fresh fruits less often(P=0.006) than non-smokers. The mean serum vitamin C concentration of smokers consuming the same amounts of vitamine C as non-smokers, 64.3 umol/1, were 20% lower than for non-smokers, 80.1 umol/l(P<0.05). The risk of low serum vitamin C concentration (LoC) among smokers were 3.8% compared with 1.6% in non-smokers, and the odd ratio for LoC risk was 2.43. There were no correlations between dietary and serum vitamin C for smokers and non-smokers. It was concluded that smokers might require at least 20% more vitamin C to reach the same concentration comparable to non-smokers.

• Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.97-102
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• 2004

A cross-sectional epidemiologic study was conducted to evaluate vitamin C nutritional status by assessing dietary intake and blood vitamin C level and to identify the relationships between dietary vitamin C intake, serum vitamin C level and blood lead level in Korean lead workers. The study population was 118 lead workers from two battery manufacturing factories and 63 non-lead-exposed controls. A food consumption survey was conducted by the 24-hr recall method to determine the dietary vitamin C intake level. The anthropometric measurements, blood collection, and survey were performed between September and November, 2000. Blood lead levels and serum vitamin C levels were measured using an atomic absorption spectrometer and high performance liquid chromatography, respectively. Vitamin C nutritional status of Korean lead workers was lower than that of the control group, in terms of both dietary intake and the biochemical index: the mean daily dietary intake level of vitamin C of lead workers was 65.9mg (94% RDA), while that of controls was 132.6mg(189% RDA) ; and the serum vitamin C status of lead workers (0.10mg/dl) was significantly lower than that of controls (1.08mg/dl ; p<0.001). Both dietary vitamin C intake and serum vitamin C levels showed a significant negative correlation with blood lead level (p<0.001), which indicates that strategies of dietary management to promote the health of Korean lead workers should focus on promoting the vitamin C intakes of individuals.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.729-738
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• 1998

Antioxidants such as vitamin C and E may play a preventive role in the development of cancer and coronary heart disease. The status of vitamins C and E may be affected by lifestyle habits such as smoking , drinking, and exercise. These habits can modify the dietary requirements of vitamin C and vitamin E. the purpose of this study was to determine whether Korean young healthy men and women consume vitamins C and E in sufficient quantities relative to their lifestyle habits. Among the participants in this study, 52% of the men and none of the women were smokers. ; 84% of all subjects drank alcohol more than once a week ; and the men exercised more often than the women. The concentrations of serum total , HDL-, and LDL- cholesterol were higher in the women than in the men, but the serum triglyceride concentrations were higher in the men than in the women. The men consumed less satuated fat than the women (p<0.05) . The daily intakes of vitamin C for the men and the women were 47.1mg and 65.6mg, respectively. On the other hand , the daily vitamin E intake was higher in the men (11.8mg) than women(6.9mg). The serum $\alpha$-tocopherol concentrations of all subjects were in a normal range, and in no subjects were they below the minimum value of ranges. However, about 19% of male subjects and 10% of female subjects showed deficient status, although the mean serum vitamin C levels were normal . Lifestyle habits fo the sort mentioned above have little influence on the serum vitamin C and $\alpha$-tocopherol concentrations. The serum $\alpha$-tocopherol concentration had a positive correlation with total fat and alcohol consumption. The serum vitamin C concentration was positively associated with regular exercise, but it was negatively correlated with the number of cigarettes smoked. Meanwhile, the serum lipid persoxide concentration , the indirect index of oxidative stress, was influenced by certain variable such as body mass index , the number of cigarettes smoked , alcohol consumption, energy expenditure, vitamin C intake, and serum ${\gamma}$-tocopherol concentration. Serum lipid peroxide concentration was positively associated with body mass index, the number of cigarette smoked , serum triglyceride , and HDL-cholesterol concentration. In conclusion , the vitamin E requirements of the subjects were met by the Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA) regardless of lifestyle habits. However, serum vitamin C concentrations showed individual variation and was below the normal ranges. Smoking and exercise influenced serum vitamin C concentration. Therefore, a reevaluation of the requirements of vitamin C relative to lifestyle habits is necessary.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.330-337
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• 2001

The purpose of this study was to investigate the nutritional status of antioxidant vitamins in relation to serum malondialdehye(MDA) level in postmenopausal women with common occurance of cardiovascular disease(CVD). Data about general characteristics including smoking, drinking and exercise status, dietary intake and serum level of antioxidant vitamins, and serum MDA level were collected from eighty-five postmenopausal women. Mean serum MDA level was 1.62$\pm$0.03nmol/ml, and general characteristics and serum lipid profiles were not significantly different among the three group: low MDA(<1.45nmol/ml), midium MDA(1.45-1.74nmol/ml) and high MDA($\geq$1.74nmol/ml). Total mean vitamin A intake was 472.8$\pm$37.7RE, 68% of RDA, vitamin C intake was 134.3$\pm$8.7mg, 192% of RDA and vitamin E intake was 8.6$\pm$0.5mg, 86% of RDA for Korean. In takes of antioxidant vitamins from the diet were not significantly different among the three groups. However significant negative correlation(r=-0.242, p<0.05) was observed between vitamin E intake and serum MDA level in total subjects. Total mean serum vitamin A, $\beta$-carotene and vitamin C level were 0.59$\pm$0.01$\mu\textrm{g}$/ml, 0.25$\pm$0.01$\mu\textrm{g}$/ml and 9.02$\pm$0.28$\mu\textrm{g}$/ml, respectively. Total mean serum vitamin E and vitamin E/total cholesterol level were 9.15$\pm$0.42$\mu\textrm{g}$/ml and 4.09$\pm$0.17$\mu\textrm{g}$/mg, respectively. Serum antioxidant vitamins levels were not significantly different among the three groups. However serum vitamin C and E level were negatively correlated to serum MDA level. We can conclude that it will be helpful for postmenopausal women with common occurance of CVD to improve nutritional status of antioxidant vitamins by increasing intakes of antioxidant vitamins, especially vitamin C and E. (Korean J Nutrition 34(3) : 330~337, 2001)

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.39 no.3
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• pp.264-273
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• 2006

Elevated maternal plasma homocysteine concentrations have been associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes. Serum homocysteine levels may be affected by the MTHFR genotypes and the nutritional status of B vitamins including vitamin $B_2,\;B_6$, folate and vitamin $B_{12}$. We investigated whether postnatal growth measurements were influenced by maternal MTHFR genotypes and their mid-pregnancy serum vitamin B and homocysteine levels. In 130 pregnant women of 24-28 wks of gestation, the MTHFR genotypes, serum B vitamins and homocysteine concentrations were analyzed. Physical growth status was assessed in their offsprings by measuring height, weight, and head and chest circumferences from birth up to 24 months. Serum homocysteine levels were higher in the subjects with T/T genotype than those with the C/T or C/C. Heights and head and chest circumferences of offsprings from the T/T mothers were significantly lower than those from the C/C or C/T mothers only when the serum homocysteine levels were above the median. The mean height of offsprings from the T/T mothers was significantly lower than those from the C/C and C/T mothers. The mean weight and head circumferences of offsprings born from the mothers whose mid-term pregnancy PLP levels were in the lowest quartile was significantly lower than those from mothers in the highest quartile. Heights and head circumferences of offsprings from the T/T mothers were significantly lower than those from the C/C or C/T mothers only when the serum FAD levels were in the lowest quartile. These results suggest that postnatal growth up to 24 months may be influenced by the maternal C677T MTHFR genotypes, and mid-pregnancy serum homocysteine and vitamin B status.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.6 no.5
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• pp.429-435
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• 2012

Atopic dermatitis (AD) has become a serious epidemic in Korean children. We aimed to investigate the association between vitamin C, E and other nutrients, and serum total IgE/specific IgE levels in children with AD. A total of 119 children (0-24 mo) diagnosed with AD were recruited for this cross-sectional study from a medical center in Seoul. A 24 h recall was used to assess dietary intakes. Serum total and six food-allergen specific IgE levels were measured by CAP-FEIA. Serum vitamin E was also measured but only in 25 out of the total 119 participants. Multiple linear regression analysis was performed to estimate the coefficients between serum IgE levels and dietary intake as well as serum vitamin E. Serum vitamin E levels showed a significantly inverse association with serum total IgE and all specific IgE levels (P < 0.05). Fat intake was inversely related with specific-IgEs for egg whites, milk, buck wheat, soy, and peanuts (P < 0.05). Positive associations were found between carbohydrate (CHO) intake and total IgE and specific IgEs to egg whites, milk, soy, and peanuts (P < 0.05). Vitamin C, E and n-3/n-6 fatty acids were not related with serum total IgE and specific IgE levels except for the association between buck wheat and vitamin E. In addition, there were no significant differences between males and females in dietary intake and serum IgE levels by student's t-test. Although dietary vitamin E showed no association with serum IgE levels, serum vitamin E drew a significant inverse relationship with serum IgE levels. The evidence seems to suggest that vitamin E may possibly lower total and specific-IgEs in children with AD, and that it is important to maintain a relatively high serum vitamin E level in children with AD.

• The Korean Journal of Community Living Science
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.661-673
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• 2015

This study examines the effects of a low-calorie raw juice diet on the level of serum ferritin in adults and analyzes nutrient intake from the diet. There were significant differences between juices; the highest calorie was provided by pear juice, highest crude protein, vitamin A, and vitamin B2 levels were from green Juice 1; and highest vitamin C and vitamin B1 levels were from fruit juices. The ratio of estimated energy requirements (EER) for the participants was 56.2% from the raw juice diet. The percentages of recommended intake (RI) from the raw juice diet of protein (57.9%), dietary fiber (19.1%), niacin (6.2%), calcium (0.1%), and magnesium (0.2%) were lower than 75%. However, those of RI of vitamin A, vitamin B1, vitamin B2, vitamin B6, and vitamin C were 1796.5%, 7481.7%, 1915.5%, 30858.7%, and 7500%, respectively, exceeding the tolerable upper intake level (UL) for vitamin A, vitamin B6, and vitamin C. There were significant decreases in weight, the body mass index (BMI), body fat mass, and skeletal muscle mass in males and females. After the diet program, serum iron and SOD (superoxide dismutase) showed significant decreases, whereas RBC, hemoglobin, hematocrit, and serum ferritin showed significant increases. There were negative correlations between serum ferritin and weight and between serum ferritin and skeletal muscle mass for all participants. There were negative correlations between serum ferritin and skeletal muscle mass for males and between serum ferritin and body fat mass for females. These results suggest that a raw juice diet can supplement a regular diet to prevent excess or deficient nutrient intake.

• Journal of the Korean Dietetic Association
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.168-177
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• 1998

It has been reported that cigarette smoking increases free radical generation, which can also increase lipid peroxides and deplete antioxidants. The purpose of this study was to determine whether cigarette smoking and other lifestyle choices may affect serum lipid peroxide concentrations, serum antioxidant concentrations such as tocopherol and vitamin C, and serum antioxidant enzyme activity such as glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase. Dietary intakes were assessed by 24-hour recall and survey questionnaires from 48 male non-smokers and 52 male smokers. Overnight fasting blood was collected and measured for individual antioxidant status. The daily vitamin C intakes of smokers tended to be lower than those of non-smokers, and the intakes of both groups were under the Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA). Vitamin E intake was sufficient for smokers and non-smokers. Serum lipid peroxide concentrations were no difference among all subjects. The serum $\alpha$-tocopherol concentrations of all subjects were in a normal range, and they were highest in mild smokers (p<0.05). Mean serum vitamin C levels were lowest in heavy smokers (p<0.05). The activities of serum glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase were not significantly different in smokes and non-smokers. In conclusion, smoking did not increase oxidative stress in heathy young men. However, it is desirable for heavy smokers to consume more vitamin C than the RDA sine their serum vitamin C concentrations are relatively low.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.159-168
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• 1997

This study was done to compare the nutritional status of antioxidant vitamins between college women smokers and nonsmokers. Dietary intakes and serum levels of antioxidant vitamins were determined in 33 smokers and 42 nonsmokers residing in the Seoul area. Dietary intakes of vitamin A and C were determined by a quick and convenient dietary intake method. Serum vitamin C level was measured by 2, 4-dinitrophenylhydrazine method and serum levels of vitamin A and E were measured by HPLC. The mean A intake of nonsmokers and smokers was 504.3$\mu$gR.E./day and 450. 4$\mu$gR.E./day and the mean vitamic C intake of nonsmokers and smokers was 51.6mg/day and 50.2mg/day, reapectively. There was no difference in the dietary intakes of antioxidant vitamins between smokers and nonsmokers. The serum vitamin A level, 0.71mg/1 in nonsmokers was not significantly different from that of 0.74mg/1 in smokers. However, the serum vitamin C level, 7.94mg/1 in smokers was 15% lower(p$\ll$0.05) than that of 9.30mg/1 in nonsmokers. The serum vitamin E level, 18.15mg/1 in smoders was also 34% lower(p$\ll$0.05) than that of 27.58mg/1 in nonsmokers. There was no significant correlation between dietary intakes and serum levels of vitamin A and C for both smokers and nonsmokers. These results suggest that cigarette smokers need more dietary intakes of vitamin C and E than do nonsmokers to reach the same serum level.

• The Korean Journal of Rehabilitation Nursing
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.99-112
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• 2002

The purpose of this study is to determine the effect of oral vitamin C supplements on blood sugar and serum lipid level(total cholesterol, triglyceride, high density lipoprotein, low density lipoprotein) in non-insulin independent diabetes mellitus. The study design was a non equivalent control group pre-test post-test design. Data for the study were collected from June 24 to August 31, 2001. The ninty-five research subject were assigned to experimental group(51) and control group(44). Vitamin C(3g/day) was given to 51 subjects for 4 weeks. Following a 12h overnight fasting, blood sample was obstaind at baseline and at the end of 4week - supplementation. Blood samples were taken for plasma vitamin C concentration, fasting blood sugar, HbA1c and serum lipid level. The pre-equivalent test was used by Chi-squre, t-test and two group's pre and post experimental differences were analyzed by t-tset to compare with each other. The results of this study were as follows ; 1. The difference between the two groups in plasma vitamin C concentration was significant(t=-12.950, p=.000). 2. The difference between the two groups in fasting blood sugar was significant(t=5.293, p=.000). 3. The difference between the two groups in HbA1c was not significant(t=1.758, p=.082). 4. The difference between the two groups in total cholesterol, HDL, LDL was significant(t=3.786, p=.000 ; t=-5.515, p=.000 ; t= 4.169, p = .000). These results suggest that megadose vitamin C supplementation be effective in lowering fasting blood sugar, serum lipids and increasing plasma vitamin C. Thus dietary measures to increase plasma vitamin C may be on important health strategy for reducing the compliance of diabetic patients.