VITAMIN STATUS OF A HEALTHY FRENCH POPULATION - DIETARY INTAKES AND BIOCHEMICAL MARKERS

The vitamin status of a representative population sample in a French d istrict in the Paris area was assessed using a biochemical and dietary approach. Complete data were obtained for 1039 subjects 6 to 97 years old. Dietary intakes of most vitamins increased up to adolescence and then remained stable or decreased slightly in adult life. Total vitam in intakes were higher in men than in women (except for ascorbic acid) , but the vitamin density of the diet was higher in females. Most subj ects presented dietary intakes below the French recommended allowances for vitamin B1, B6, C, A and E. A variation in biochemical parameters according to age and sex was observed only for serum concentration of retinol, beta-carotene, vitamin E and C. Multiple regression analysis showed that dietary vitamin intakes were related to the biological st atus for vitamin B2, B6, C, folates, beta-carotene and vitamin E. Toba cco smoking, alcohol consumption and oral contraceptive were significa ntly correlated with biological status for several vitamins. While bio chemical evidence of severe vitamin deficiency was not observed a size able minority of the French population is not lavishly supplied with s ome vitamins, and this situation deserves investigation to see if any deleterious effects are associated with it.