S Y Toh1, G W Thompson, T K Basu. 1. Department of Food Science and Nutrition, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: The present study was undertaken to investigate the relationship between riboflavin intake and its biochemical status in elderly subjects (> or = 65 years). SUBJECTS:Thirty males and 30 females were randomly selected from a larger sample of free-living elderly residents of Edmonton, Canada. Subjects were contacted through a seniors' service organization and the Medical Officer of Health. Any subject using vitamin supplements or alcohol other than the occasional drink was excluded from the study. DESIGN:Dietary intake was estimated using a 3-nonconsecutive-day food record. Biochemical status was assessed by measuring the erythrocyte glutathione reductase activity coefficient (EGRAC), which is a functional test indicative of metabolic availability of riboflavin. RESULTS:Average daily riboflavin intake of the study population was above the recommended requirement (0.5 mg/1000 kcal). According to the frequently used criterion that an EGRAC value > or = 1.20 is indicative of inadequate riboflavin status, 23% of the males and 7% of the females were classified as being deficient in the vitamin. However, based on the recently suggested normal values (1.30-1.4) for EGRAC, it appeared that all male subjects but one had adequate riboflavin status. CONCLUSION: The criteria used for EGRAC values may affect the interpretation of riboflavin status. It is therefore important that guidelines for EGRAC are standardized for more reliable interpretations.
RCT Entities:
OBJECTIVE: The present study was undertaken to investigate the relationship between riboflavin intake and its biochemical status in elderly subjects (> or = 65 years). SUBJECTS: Thirty males and 30 females were randomly selected from a larger sample of free-living elderly residents of Edmonton, Canada. Subjects were contacted through a seniors' service organization and the Medical Officer of Health. Any subject using vitamin supplements or alcohol other than the occasional drink was excluded from the study. DESIGN: Dietary intake was estimated using a 3-nonconsecutive-day food record. Biochemical status was assessed by measuring the erythrocyte glutathione reductase activity coefficient (EGRAC), which is a functional test indicative of metabolic availability of riboflavin. RESULTS: Average daily riboflavin intake of the study population was above the recommended requirement (0.5 mg/1000 kcal). According to the frequently used criterion that an EGRAC value > or = 1.20 is indicative of inadequate riboflavin status, 23% of the males and 7% of the females were classified as being deficient in the vitamin. However, based on the recently suggested normal values (1.30-1.4) for EGRAC, it appeared that all male subjects but one had adequate riboflavin status. CONCLUSION: The criteria used for EGRAC values may affect the interpretation of riboflavin status. It is therefore important that guidelines for EGRAC are standardized for more reliable interpretations.