• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.3 no.4
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• pp.594-608
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• 1998

Comparative studies regarding the nutritional status of 93 home-living elderly people taking free congregate lunch meals(FL) and 87 middle income class elderly people(MI) were performed in Taejon city. Data was obtained from questionaires, anthropometry and interviews for the 24-hour dietary recall of 2 nonconsecutive days during August, 1996. The average age for FL was 75.8 years. The monthly familly income for FL belonged to the low-income class. FL females had lower heights and weights than MI females. The average daily nutritional intake of both FL and MI were low, particularly in FL whose %RDA of energy was 68.5%, protein 65%, Ca 29.6%, Fe 50.8%, vitamin A 34.5%, vitamin E 30.5%, riboflavin 40.6%, vitamin C 76.9%. MI's %RDA of energy was 76.4%, protein 80.a2%, Ca 48.1%, Fe 78.6%, vitamin A 67.3%, vitamin E 117.4%, riboflavin 45.6%, vitamin C 136.5%. Comsumption of Zn, vitamin $B_6$ and folic daily average. There was no nutrient having average INQ(Index of nutritional quality) over 1 for either group. The INQs for protein, Ca, Fe and vitamin A were 0.802, 0.377, 0.625 and 0.296 in FL, and 0.900, 0.601, 0.784 and 0.602 in MI, respectively. The MAR(Mean adequacy ratio) was low with the value of 0.500-0.518 in FL and 0.630-0.723 in MI. The percentage of main nutrients from lunch was the highest among the three meals for FL males, while that from breakfast was the highest for MI. Free lunches taken by FL supported higher percentages of main nutrients than home-lunches taken by MI. Eating-out was done more frequently by MI than by FL and that eating-out brought them more nutritional intake. The above data indicated that the dietary nutritional intake status of the FL elderly was very poor in both quantity and quality and that free congregate lunch significantly contributed to the daily nutrient-intake for the FL elderly.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.4 no.4
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• pp.303-310
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• 2010

Consumption of vegetables and fruits is associated with a reduced risk of stroke, but it is unclear whether their protective effects are due to antioxidant vitamins or folate and metabolically related B vitamins. The purpose of the study was to test the hypothesis that intake of fruits and vegetables, which are major sources of antioxidant and vitamin B complex vitamins, reduces the risk of stroke. Cases consisted of patients diagnosed with first event of stroke (n = 69). Controls (n = 69) were age-, sex-, and body mass index-matched to cases. Multivariable-adjusted regression analysis showed that subjects who ate four to six servings of vegetable per day had a 32% reduction in the risk of stroke, and those with more than six servings per day had a reduction of 69% after adjusting for age, sex, BMI, and family history of stroke. Intakes of total fat, plant fat, calcium, potassium, vitamin $B_1$, vitamin $B_2$, vitamin $B_6$, niacin, and folate were significantly and negatively associated with the risk of stroke. Although the trend was not significant, stroke risk was reduced in the second quartile (1.21-2.66 servings per week) of fish intake. However, intake of fruits (average daily intake of 1.0 serving) and antioxidant vitamins such as carotene, vitamin C, and vitamin E was not associated with the risk of stroke. In conclusion, our observational study suggests that intake of fat and vegetables, rich sources of vitamin B complex, calcium, and potassium may protect against stroke.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.43 no.3
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• pp.304-314
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• 2010

Vitamin E has been a generic term for all tocopherol and tocotrienol derivatives. The most active form of vitamin E isoforms in vivo is regarded to be $\alpha$-tocopherol which is the only form defined as vitamin E in the US Food and Nutrition Board, causing controversy over setting dietary reference intake (DRI) of vitamin E. However, most of the countries other than the US maintain the original concept that all isoforms are accepted as vitamin E but with different biopotency. The roles of the isoforms of vitamin E other than $\alpha$-tocopherol have received continuous attention. Among them those of $\gamma$-tocopherol and $\alpha$-tocotrienol have been most studied in comparison with $\alpha$-tocopherol, since $\gamma$-tocopherol comprises major form of vitamin E in many plant seeds and those of the both vitamin E have been implicated in unique physiological functions. This review summarizes findings that have led a better understanding of vitamin E absorption, transport, tissue storage and various functions common and specific to vitamin E isoforms focusing $\alpha$- and $\gamma$-tocopherol as well as tocotrienols. It is expected to help redefining vitamin E and setting its DRI for Koreans.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.239-247
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• 1999

With the increasing elderly population in Korea, dementia has become a mojor health problem in Korea. Several studies have been conducted on the association between dementia and dietary intake, especially vitamin E and vitamin C. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of vitamin E and vitamin C supplementation on the decrease in cognitive function induced by scopolamine(300mg/kg) in rats. Rats were divided into three groups : control, vitamin C, and vitamin E supplementation(2.4g Vit C or Vit E /100g diet) and fed the diets for 6 weeks. There were significant decreases in active avoidance response and brain acetylcholinesterase activity in the control group, but no significant differences were observed in the vitamin E and C groups after scopolamine treatment. Brain dopamine concentration of vitamin E and C groups was significantly higher than those of control group after scopolamine injection. The concentrations of brain norepinephrine also showed similar tendence, even though it was not statistically significant. These results indicate that vitamin E and vitamin C may protect against the cognitive function decrease induced by scopolamine. However, it is still unclear how vitamin E and C influence brain neurotransmitters and improve cognitive function. Further study is need to elucidate the role of vitamin E and C supplementation in the prevention of dementia.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.43 no.3
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• pp.233-245
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• 2010

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of dietary habits and nutrient intakes on skin condition of female university students. The subjects were 95 female university students in Daegu. This study examined anthropometric measurements, dietary intake, food intake habits and skin condition (moisture, elasticity, sebum (U-zone, T-zone), pores, evenness and melanin pigmentation. The subjects in this study had an average age of 21.4, an average height and weight of 161.2 cm and 52.9 kg, respectively, and the average body mass index (BMI) was 20.3 $kg/m^2$. The means of skin elasticity, pores, evenness, and melanin pigmentation were within the normal range of women in their 20s and the skin moisture state was slightly lower than the normal range, which showed a dry tendency. The sebum in the U-zone and the T-zone was lower than the standard values, which showed less secretion in both areas. The subjects with high nut intake showed a better skin pore state (p < 0.05). Those with a high intake of instant foods showed a sig-nificantly low skin moisture and a significantly higher sebum rate (p < 0.05). The group with high skin elasticity and the group with less melanin pigmentation showed a significantly low animal protein intake (p < 0.05). The group with high skin elasticity also showed a significantly higher vitamin A and niacin intakes as well (p < 0.05). The group with high skin evenness showed a significantly lower animal lipid intake and a significantly higher vitamin E intake (p < 0.05). In addition, those with high skin elasticity and evenness as well as low melanin pigmentation showed a tendency of high intake of antioxidant vitamins, such as vitamin A, carotene, vitamin C or vitamin E. In summary, a moderate intake of plant-based products and also the antioxidant vitamins within such products seems to have a beneficial effect on maintaining a healthy and good skin condition.

• 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.

• Nutritional Sciences
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.88-91
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• 2004

New Dietary Reference Intakes (DRIs) forthe United States and Canada have recently been set for both macronutrients and micronutrients, and are likely to be of interest to health professionals in Korea as well. DRIs are now available for nutrients that did not have Recommended Dietary Allowances set in the past (amino acids, n-3 and n-6 fatty acids, total fiber, added sugar, choline, boron, nickel, and vanadium). Furthermore, the units for the DRIs do not always match those traditionally carried on food composition tables (FCTs). FCT developers will also need to consider carrying new variables to allow the calculation of folate intake in $\mu$g of dietary folate equivalents, vitamin E intake as mg of a-tocopherol (not as mg of a-tocopherol equivalents), and vitamin A intake as $\mu$g of retinol activity equivalents (not as $\mu$g of retinol equivalents). Because the new recommendations for upper levels of intake sometimes refer to a specific form or source of a nutrient, nutrients occurring in foods must be separated from added or supplemental forms for vitamin E, niacin, and folate; pharmacological magnesium must be carried as a separate variable; and preformed vitamin A must be separated from vitamin A from carotenoids. For more information on the DRIs, see: www.nap.edu.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.32 no.6
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• pp.644-653
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• 1999

Background : Excessive intakes of $\omega$6 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) can increase oxidative stress, which may increase insulin resistance and could be the cause of metabolic syndrome X such as diabetes mellitus. One of the ways to reduce oxidative stress is the consumption of antioxidants such as vitamin E. It is controversial that vitamin E intakes may alleviate insulin resistance. The purpose of the study was whether high vitamin E intake may influence whole body glucose disposal rate(GDR), glycogen deposites, triglyceride content, lipid peroxide levels and antioxidant enzyme activities in Sprague Dawley rats fed high $\omega$6 PUFA diest. Methods : Sprague Dawley rats were divided into three groups. The control group consumed chow diet. High and low vitamin E groups consumed 40% PUFA of total energy intakes. One kilogram of diet mixture contained 300IU of $\alpha$-tocopherol in high vitamin E group, while it had 30 IU in low vitamin E group. Diets were given for 8 weeks. After 7 were of diet consumption, indwelling catheters were inserted in carotid artery and jugular vein of all rats so that GDR could be measured in awake and unstressed state. Results : Daily PUFA intakes were lower in the control group than others. Daily vitamin E intake of high vitamin E group was about ten times higher than those of low vitamin E group and the control group(p<0.0001). $\alpha$-tocopherol content in lier was highest in the high vitamin E group. GDR of the control group was 24% higher than others, and vitamin E intakes did not affect GDR. Glycogen deposit of liver in the control group was significantly higher than others, and it was not altered by vitamin E supplementation. Muscle glycogne content showed a similar tendency as liver glycogen in different diet groups. Triglyceride deposit in muscle was not different among groups. Lipid peroxide content of liver in the high vitamin E group was lower than the low of glutathione peroxidase were lowered in low vitamin E group than others, however, those of superoxide dismutase and catalase were not different. Conclusions : High vitamin E intakes can decrease oxidative stress in rats fed high (())-6 PUFA diet, but they cannot alleviate insulin resistance. Thus, increased oxidative stress through high (())-6 PUFA diet may be minimal for influencing insulin resistance.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.6 no.5
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• pp.819-829
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• 2001

The purpose of this study was to investigate the difference of general characteristics, menopause status, dietary patterns and nutrient intakes between women aged from 30 to 65 years old with a hypercholesterolemia group and normocholesterolemia group. The subjects were classified as belonging to the hypercholesterolemia group or normocholesterolemia group barred on The Guidelines for Korean Hyperlipidemia. Dietary intakes of fatty acids were measured by means of a 24-hr recall method with food models and measuring tools. We analyzed both data sets together using analysis of variance chi-square test and student's t-test(SPSS for WINDOWS, version 7.5). Significance was defied as a p value < 0.05. The results obtained are summarized as follows. Mean age and BMI of the hypercholesteroemia group were significantly higher than those of the normocholesterolemia group. Intakes of cereal, vegetables, mushrooms and sea food in the normocholesterolemia group were significantly higher than those in the hypercholesterolemia group. Most of the nutrient intakes were not significantly different between the normocholesterolemia group and the hypercholesterolemia group. However, vitamin E intake of the normocholesterolemia group was significantly higher than that of the hypercholesterolemia group. There was a significant negative correlation between vitamin E intake and serum TC(r = -.363, p < 0.001) and LDL-C(r = -.359, p < 0.001). In addition, Serum TG had significantly correlation with carbohydrate(r = 0.137, p < 0.001) and vitamin E intake(r = -0.134, p < 0.001). Therefore, women who suffered from hypercholesterolemia were recommended to control body weight, and to consume foods containing high vitamin E and foods containing high dietary fiber such as vegetables, mushrooms, and sea food.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.39 no.8
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• pp.773-785
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• 2006

Vitamin E in the body system plays an important role in preventing chronic diseases by decreasing the oxidative stress by free-radicals. However, there are not enough researches on analyzing the primary factors affecting vitamin E levels in the blood in Korean adults. Therefore, the purpose of this research was to examine blood tocopherol levels and the primary factors affecting the status. A complete lifestyle survey was performed on 314 Korean adult men and surveyed their smoking, drinking and exercising habits. The average plasma level of ${\alpha}-\;and\;{\gamma}-tocopherol$ showed similar mutual relations with plasma total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), or low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels (p<0.001). Plasma ${\alpha}-tocopherol$ level of the subjects did not show any difference as smoking, drinking and exercising habits changed. However, ${\gamma}-tocopherol$ per TG showed much lower figure in smokers than non smokers (p < 0.05). Amongst diet factors, plasma ${\alpha}-tocopherol$ level showed negative correlations with Vitamin E intake, while ${\gamma}-tocopherol$ level showed positive correlations with Vitamin E intake. Erythrocyte superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and plasma tocopherol showed negative correlations, and catalase activity and plasma ${\alpha}-tocopherol$ showed positive correlationship. The level of cell DNA damage of Iymphocyte and plasma ${\alpha}-\;or\;{\gamma}-tocopherol$ showed negative correlations. As a result of this research, the factors that affect Korean adult men's plasma ${\alpha}-tocopherol$ level are plasma TG, LDL-C and cell DNA damage in Iymphocyte, while the factors that affect ${\gamma}-tocopherol$ level are plasma TG, LDL-C and vitamin E intake based on multiple regression analysis. These findings implies that the level of different types of tocopherol depends on slightly different factors. A further research is needed on the factors involved in the differentiation of the types of tocopherol.