EFFECT OF SMOKING ON SERUM NUTRIENT CONCENTRATIONS IN AFRICAN-AMERICAN WOMEN

The relationship between current cigarette smoking and serum concentra tions of vitamins C, E, and A, and of five carotenoids in human serum were examined in 91 low-income, African-American women. General linear models were used to adjust geometric mean serum concentrations of mic ro-nutrients for age, dietary and supplement intakes, total energy int ake, alcohol intake, medication use, body mass index, and serum concen trations of cholesterol and triglycerides. Among smokers, serum concen trations of alpha-carotene, beta-carotene, cryptoxanthin, and lycopene averaged only 71-79% of the concentrations among nonsmokers. Mean ser um concentrations of vitamins C and E and lutein/zeaxanthin were only slightly lower among smokers relative to nonsmokers, and current smoke rs had higher serum concentrations of vitamin A. Among current smokers , mean serum concentrations of all five carotenoids decreased with an increase in the amount smoked. The negative effect of smoking on serum concentrations of antioxidant carotenoids may pose a serious health r isk in low-income populations already at higher risk for many chronic diseases.