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γ-Tocopherol as a possible marker for nutrition-related risk: results from four National Diet and Nutrition Surveys in Britain

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  09 March 2007

C. J. Bates ,
G. D. Mishra  and
A. Prentice
C. J. Bates*
Affiliation:
MRC Human Nutrition ResearchElsie Widdowson Laboratory, Fulbourn Road, Cambridge CB1 9NL, UK
G. D. Mishra
Affiliation:
MRC Human Nutrition ResearchElsie Widdowson Laboratory, Fulbourn Road, Cambridge CB1 9NL, UK
A. Prentice
Affiliation:
MRC Human Nutrition ResearchElsie Widdowson Laboratory, Fulbourn Road, Cambridge CB1 9NL, UK
*
*Corresponding author: fax +44 1223 437515, Email Chris.Bates@mrc-hnr.cam.ac.uk
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Abstract

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Relationships between vitamin E status (α and γ-tocopherol and their ratio in plasma), anthropometric and biochemical indices, and food and nutrient intakes, were studied in four British National Diet and Nutrition Surveys: children aged 1·5–4·5 years, young people aged 4·0–18·0 years, adults 19·0–64·0 years and adults aged ≥65·0 years. γ-Tocopherol:α-tocopherol ratio declined with age. In older women γ-tocopherol and γ-tocopherol:α-tocopherol ratios were directly related to indices of obesity. In young men α- and γ-tocopherols were directly correlated with obesity, but γ-tocopherol:α-tocopherol ratio was not. For young people and toddlers, fewer obesity indices were available and relationships were weaker. Other fat- and water-soluble vitamin indices correlated directly with α-tocopherol and inversely with γ-tocopherol and γ-tocopherol:α-tocopherol ratio. Whereas α-tocopherol correlated directly with ‘healthy’ nutrient choices (such as intrinsic sugars, dietary fibre, vitamins and potassium) and inversely with ‘unhealthy’ choices (extrinsic sugars and monounsaturated fats, i.e. avoidance of polyunsaturated fat), γ-tocopherol and the γ-tocopherol:α-tocopherol ratio related inversely with ‘healthy’ choices. Food groups had analogous relationships; thus, α-tocopherol related directly to use of polyunsaturated fats, fresh fruits and fruit juices, and inversely to non-polyunsaturated fats and extrinsic sugar. The reverse was true for γ-tocopherol and γ-tocopherol:α-tocopherol ratio. Although the mechanisms underlying these relationships are obscure, the γ-tocopherol:α-tocopherol ratio may reveal poor dietary choices, status predictors and a propensity for obesity in later life, especially in women.

Keywords

γ-TocopherolBritainSurveyRisk indicesAnthropometryNutrient intakesBiochemical markers
Type
Research Article
Information
British Journal of Nutrition , Volume 92 , Issue 1 , July 2004 , pp. 137 - 150
Copyright
Copyright © The Nutrition Society 2004

References

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