VITAMIN AND MINERAL NUTRITIONAL-STATUS AND OTHER BIOCHEMICAL DATA ASSESSED IN GROUPS OF MEN FROM CREVALCORE AND MONTEGIORGIO (ITALY)

The vitamin and mineral nutritional status of 34 elderly (mean age 77. 6 +/- 4.7 years) and 39 younger subjects (mean age 41.7 +/- 7.5 years) from Crevalcore and Montegiorgio (the two rural areas of The Seven Co untries Study) was studied. Comparisons have been made between centres , between age groups, and with data obtained from similar surveys perf ormed in 1960 and 1970. Levels of thiamin and riboflavin nutritional s tatus were higher in 1991 than in 1970. Plasma retinol values were abo ve levels of deficiency, but vitamin E and beta-carotene tended to be low. The zinc status of the populations, as assessed by leucocyte zinc concentration, was generally low. A decline in copper intake during t he past ten years may be responsible for the Low leucocyte copper conc entration which was more apparent in the younger subjects, Serum chole sterol was above, and HDL cholesterol below, the European Atherosclero sis Society recommendations.