Evaluation of the indices of retinol and alpha-tocopherol status in free-living elderly.

The relationship between plasma vitamins and lipids was determined in volunteers (N = 131; age = 73.1 +/- 6.1 y). The 24-hour food intake data and fasting plasma retinol and alpha-tocopherol (HPLC), cholesterol, and triglycerides were determined three times in one year; 30 and 37% of elderly subjects had retinol and tocopherol intakes below two-thirds RDA, respectively; 35% used vitamin supplements. Plasma levels were: retinol = 1.76 +/- 0.41 mumol/L and tocopherol = 22.61 +/- 0.68 mumol/L; cholesterol = 5.15 +/- 0.77 mmol/L; triglycerides = 1.63 +/- 0.87 mmol/L. Plasma vitamin levels were adjusted to average plasma cholesterol (5.6 mmol/L) and triglyceride (1.24 mmol/L). Diet plus supplemental tocopherol intake correlated with plasma tocopherol (p less than .003). Using plasma vitamin levels, retinol status was normal, whereas 70% had low tocopherol status. Ratio of plasma alpha-tocopherol to lipids indicated that only 1-2% had low tocopherol status, while that of lipid-adjusted alpha-tocopherol to plasma lipids showed that 12% had low status. The latter ratio may be a better index of status.