• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.56 no.10
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• pp.417-423
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• 2013

Vitamin D is an essential component of bone and mineral metabolism; its deficiency causes growth retardation and skeletal deformities in children and osteomalacia and osteoporosis in adults. Hypovitaminosis D (vitamin D insufficiency or deficiency) is observed not only in adults but also in infants, children, and adolescents. Previous studies suggest that sufficient serum vitamin D levels should be maintained in order to enhance normal calcification of the growth plate and bone mineralization. Moreover, emerging evidence supports an association between 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25[OH]D) levels and immune function, respiratory diseases, obesity, metabolic syndrome, insulin resistance, infection, allergy, cancers, and cardiovascular diseases in pediatric and adolescent populations. The risk factors for vitamin D insufficiency or deficiency in the pediatric population are season (winter), insufficient time spent outdoors, ethnicity (non-white), older age, more advanced stage of puberty, obesity, low milk consumption, low socioeconomic status, and female gender. It is recommended that all infants, children, and adolescents have a minimum daily intake of 400 IU ($10{\mu}g$) of vitamin D. Since the vitamin D status of the newborn is highly related to maternal vitamin D levels, optimal vitamin D levels in the mother during pregnancy should be maintained. In conclusion, given the important role of vitamin D in childhood health, more time spent in outdoor activity (for sunlight exposure) and vitamin D supplementation may be necessary for optimal health in infants, children, and adolescents.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.245-256
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• 2019

Objectives: Although the number of laboratory workers is constantly increasing every year, few studies have been conducted on the health and nutritional status of these research workers. This study determined the health status of laboratory workers by analyzing their anthropometric indices, dietary life, vitamin D status and blood clinical indices. Methods: The subjects consisted of 100 female laboratory workers. This study investigated their diet, anthropometric indices, vitamin D status and blood clinical indices. The subjects were divided into two groups according to their duration of working in a laboratory (<1 year, $${\geq}_-1year$$). Results: The average age and body mass index (BMI) of subjects were 23.18 years and $21.51kg/m^2$, respectively Those subjects with over 1 year employment ($${\geq}_-1year$$) had a significantly higher waist-hip ratio than that of the subjects with the less than 1 year employment (<1 year). The mean serum vitamin D level of all the subjects was 10.04 ng/mL, which is close to a level of vitamin D deficiency. There was a significantly higher average intake of calories in the over 1 year employment group as compared to that of the less than 1 year employment group. The frequency of eating sweet snacks was significantly higher for the over 1 year employment group. The correlation analysis showed a significant positive correlation between the serum 25-(OH)-vitamin D level and the time of exposure to sunlight, while dietary intake of vitamin D did not show correlation with the serum 25-(OH)-vitamin D level. However, the serum 25-(OH)-vitamin D level was also negatively correlated with both the percentage of body fat and visceral fat. Conclusions: Laboratory workers are a very high risk group in terms of their nutritional status of vitamin D. Therefore, they need greater time of exposure to sunlight as well as increasing their dietary consumption of vitamin D. In addition, it is important for laboratory worker to practice regular and balanced dietary habits in order to maintain a healthy life.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.42 no.4
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• pp.318-326
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• 2009

We evaluated the vitamin A and E status of type 2 diabetic patients and normal adults living in Daegu area. Dietary intakes for two non-consecutive days were measured by 24-hour recall method for 76 diabetic patients and 72 normal adults. Plasma levels of retinol and ${\alpha}$-tocopherol were measured using HPLC method. Dietary intakes of vitamin A were not significantly different between the diabetic and the normal adults. However, the diabetic patients had significantly lower vitamin E intakes than the normal adults. Major food sources for vitamin A intake were red pepper powder and carrot. Half of the subjects from diabetic as well as normal adults consumed less than estimated average requirement of vitamin A. Plasma levels of retinol and tocopherol were maintained within normal ranges for most of the subjects regardless of diabetic status. Dietary intake of vitamin A was associated with vitamin E intake, however, there was no significant correlations between vitamin E intake and plasma ${\alpha}$-tocopherol levels. It seems that diabetic patients should try to increase dietary intake of vitamin E, as prolonged lower-level intake of vitamin E could eventually lead to vitamin E depletion. Further studies are needed to identify the magnitude of dietary variance at individual and seasonal levels, and to understand the discrepancies in dietary intake and plasma levels before establishing the dietary reference intake based on Korean dietary pattern.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.29 no.7
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• pp.758-771
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• 1996

This study attempted to define reference data for the distribution of vitamin d status and to explore the relationship between vitamin D status and related biochemical indices in Korean women. The vitamin D status of 179 Korean women aged from 20 to 75 years was analyzed by using HPLC(High Pressure Liquid Chromatography). Related biochemical indices such as iPTH, alkaline phosphatase, creatinine, albumin, Ca, Mg and P were also measured. The mean serum level of 25-hydroxyvitamin D and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D were s25.8ng/ml and 89.8pg/ml, respectively. Low 25-hydroxyvitamin D (<25nmol/L) was found in 29 subjects(16.5%). There was a significantly progressive decrease in serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D with increasing age(p<0.05). After in their, there was a dramatical reduction in 25-hydroxyvitamin D(p<0.05). It was also significant in post-menopasusal women compared with pre-menopausal women(p<0.000). Serum alkaline phosphatase levels increased significantly with age(p<0.001). Whereas serum calcium and phosphorus levels remained constant with age. Serum 250-hydroxyvitamin D was invesely related to iPTH (p<0.05) and alkaline phophatase (p<0.001).

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.27 no.6
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• pp.1244-1252
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• 1998

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the nutritional status of vitamin and minerals in the patients with alcoholic liver disease and to obtain the materials for nutritional education for alcoholics. The subjects consist of 80 patients with alcoholic liver cirrhosis(ALC) and 12 patients with alcoholic fatty liver(AFL). The control group included 57 alcoholics without liver disease(A), 32 patients with viral liver cirrhosis(VLC) and 194 normal men(NL). Biochemical evaluation of nutritional status was investigated by the analysis of blood samples. The frequency of vitamin B1 deficiency in the ALC, AFL and A groups as indicated by the erythrocyte transketolase activity coefficient were 46.0%, 66.7% and 57.9% respectively. The frequency of vitamin B2 deficiency in the ALC, AFL and A groups as indicated by the erythrocyte glutathione reductase activity coefficient were 9.8%, 8.3% and 38.6% respectively. Vitamin A deficiency was not detected in the alcoholic subjects. The frequency of vi tamin E deficiency in ALC, AFL and A were 96.3%, 66.7% and 86.0% respectively. The levels of plasma lipid peroxidation products were significantly higher in the alcoholic subjects than in the normal subjects. The frequency of subjects below normal range of hemoglobin were 85.0% in ALC, 50.0% in AFL and 31.6% in A. The frequency of copper deficiency in the ALC, AFL and A groups were 48.4%, 16.7% and 17.5% respectively. The frequency of zinc deficiency in the ALC, AFL and A groups were 83.8%, 41.7% and 66.7% respectively. Overall, the vitamin and minerals status of the alcoholic subjects in this study was evaluated to be very poor on the basis of biochemical assessments. The results suggest that alcohol abuse and poor dietary intake could cause malnutrition and may be important risk factors in causing alcoholic liver disease in alcoholics. In addition, vitamin B1, vitamin B2, Cu, Fe and antioxidant supplementation may be effective in nutritional therapy for chronic alcoholics.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.276-287
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• 2008

Diabetic mellitus in an older population is associated with increased basal oxidative stress and free radical accentuated by hyperglycemic challenge. Enhanced free radical in diabetic elderly can cause the oxidative damage and such damage can be protected by antioxidant defense system. It is believed that vitamin C, A and E are the most abundant and effective antioxidants in human plasma. The purpose of this study was to determine the antioxidant status in Korean diabetic elderly using the case-control study. The antioxidant status was examined by determining plasma levels of antioxidant vitamins (vitamin C, A, E, ${\beta}$-carotene), total antioxidant status (TAS) and thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS) and intakes of vitamin C, A, ${\beta}$-carotene and retiol. Fasting glucose and HbA1c levels and serum lipid profiles (triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol) were also determined. Diabetic subjects were 122 elderly persons over 60 years old, visiting public health center, and control subjects were 96 healthy elderly persons living in Ulsan, Korea and they were matched by age, gender, smoking and drinking status. The diabetic and control subjects were divided into sub-groups according to the status of using diet therapy and vitamin supplement. The subjects were interviewed to collect data on their general characteristics, disease history, vitamin supplement, diet therapy and health-related habits by questionnaires. Their dietary intakes were obtained by means of semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaires (SQFFQ). Fasting plasma glucose and HbA1c levels were significantly higher in diabetes than in control subjects, and plasma total cholesterol level of diabetes was not significantly different from that of control subjects. However serum HDL cholesterol level of diabetes was significantly lower and serum TG level of diabetes was significantly higher than those of control group. The average vitamin A and ${\beta}$-carotene intakes of diabetes were significantly higher than those of control subjects. There was no significant difference in plasma vitamin C, ${\beta}$-carotene, and TBARS levels between two groups, but plasma vitamin A, E and TAS levels were significantly higher in diabetes than those in control group. Plasma vitamin A and TAS levels of diabetic subjects using diet therapy were higher than those of control using diet therapy, and plasma vitamin E, ${\beta}$-carotene and TAS levels of diabetic subjects using vitamin supplements were significantly higher than those of controls using vitamin supplements. These results suggested that diabetic mellitus could enhance antioxidant defences against reactive oxygen species and interest in healthy eating such as consumption of more antioxidant nutrients.

• Korean Journal of Human Ecology
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.75-84
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• 2004

Insufficient dietary intake of vitamin A is one of the major nutritional problems for elderly adults in some parts of Korea. The objective of this study was to determine the vitamin A nutritional status of elderly adults in Asan, Korea by assessing the dietary intake and serum retinol concentration. Five hundred twenty four subjects (218 male and 306 female) over 65 years were recruited from city of Asan. Each subject was interviewed to assess the intake of vitamin A using a 24hr recall method and data were analysed from computer-aided nutrient analysis program. Blood samples after 12hr fasting were collected for serum retinol concentration and reverse phased HPLC with UV detector used. The results showed that subjects did not consume the sufficient amount of energy (82-85% of Korean RDA for male and 77-79% RDA for female) and vitamin A (59% RDA for male and 50% RDA for female). Range for retinol intake was 0 to $4342\;{\mu}g$ a day while that of beta-carotene was 65 to $31595\;{\mu}g$. Serum retinol concentrations were within a normal range for both male ($80\;{\mu}g/dl$) and female ($67\;{\mu}g/dl$) subjects. Many subjects (n=342) consumed less than 50% RDA of vitamin A. However, if retinol intake was high (> $37\;{\mu}g$), even with less than 50% RDA of vitamin A intake, serum retinol concentration was high ($75\;{\mu}g/dl$). Subjects showed normal serum retinol status even with low vitamin A intake. The results suggested that optimal intake ratio of dietary retinol and carotenoid is important to maintain an appropriate serum retinol concentration.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.7 no.4
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• pp.71-79
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• 2019

Purpose : Several studies suggest that smoking and vitamin D level is a risk factor of metabolic syndrome. The objective of this study is to evaluate the association between smoking status, vitamin D levels and the Korean adult male and female metabolic syndrome. Methods : We assessed 3796 participants aged 19 years and older from the Korean National Health and Nutritional Examination Survey 2013, 2014. Smoking statuses were collected from self-reported questionnaires. Subjects were divided into three categories: non-smokers, former smokers, and current smokers. Vitamin D was tested by Radioimmunoassay method and the value of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D, which is an index of vitamin D status in the body, was used. The diagnosis of metabolic syndrome was made using criteria modified NCEP-ATP III. Logistic regression analysis was used to calculate odds ratios between smoking status, vitamin D levels, and metabolic syndrome. Results : The overall prevalence of metabolic syndrome was 23.0 % in men and 15.4 % in women. After adjusting for smoking, the odds ratio for men's metabolic syndrome in current smokers was 1.77 (95 % CI, 1.30~2.41), while for former smokers OR was 1.63 (95 % CI, 1.15~2.31) compared with nonsmokers. After adjustment vitamin D, the odds ratio for women's metabolic syndrome in vitamin D deficiency was 1.44 (95 % CI, 1.11~1.87) compared with normal. Conclusion : Smoking status was associated with an increased risk of metabolic syndrome in Korean adult males and decreased vitamin D level was associated with an increased risk of metabolic syndrome in Korean adult females.

• Korean Journal of Human Ecology
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• v.10 no.4
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• pp.411-419
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• 2001

This study was peformed to assess the nutritional status of female nursing home residents by dietary intake. The subjects were 60 nursing home residents aged over 60 from 3 different nursing homes in Seoul, Cheonan and Chunchon. Dietary intake was assessed by 24-hr recall and nutrient intake was calculated using CAN-Pro and database for vitamin E established by authors. To establish vitamin E database, we analyzed vitamin E concentration using HPLC in several foods consumed frequently by nursing home residents. The results of nutrient intake were as follows; 1) Average daily intakes of energy, protein, phosphorous, iron, vitamin $B_1$ and niacin were higher than RDA, but calcium, vitamin $B_2$ and niacin of Chunchon were lower than RDA. 2) Intakes of protein, sodium and niacin of Cheonan residents were significantly higher than those of Seoul. 3) Intakes of phosphorous, potassium, vitamin $B_1$ and dietary fiber of Cheonan residents were significantly higher than Seoul and Chunchon. 4) Intakes of sodium and cholesterol of Seoul residents were higher than Cheonan and Chunchon. 5) Average daily intake of vitamin E was lower than RDA. Especially vitamin A intake of Cheonan residents was significantly lower than other two cities.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.48 no.5
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• pp.249-256
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• 2015

Objectives: Epidemiological studies have reported that vitamin D deficiency is associated with inflammatory disease. Smoking is a well-known risk factor for inflammation. However, few studies have investigated the interactive effect of vitamin D deficiency and smoking on inflammation. This study aims to investigate the interaction of vitamin D and smoking with inflammatory markers in the urban elderly. Methods: We used data from the Korean Elderly Environmental Panel Study, which began in August 2008 and ended in August 2010, and included 560 Koreans ${\geq}60$ years old living in Seoul. Data was collected via questionnaires that included items about smoking status at the first visit. Vitamin D levels, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), and white blood cell (WBC) counts were repeatedly measured up to three times. Results: The association of vitamin D and hs-CRP was significant after adjusting for known confounders (${\beta}=-0.080$, p=0.041). After separate analysis by smoking status, the association of vitamin D deficiency and hs-CRP in smokers was stronger than that in nonsmokers (smokers: ${\beta}=-0.375$, p=0.013; non-smokers: ${\beta}=-0.060$, p=0.150). Smoking status was an effect modifier that changed the association between vitamin D deficiency and hs-CRP (interaction estimate: ${\beta}=-0.254$, p=0.032). Vitamin D was not significantly associated with WBC count (${\beta}=0.003$, p=0.805). Conclusions: Vitamin D deficiency was associated with hs-CRP in the urban elderly. Smoking status was an effect modifier of this association. Vitamin D deficiency was not significantly associated with WBC count.