Comparison of serum concentration and dietary intake of alpha -Tocopherol in a sample of urban and rural Costa Rican adolescents

SUMMARY. Results from several studies have suggested that vitamin E intake could inhibit the progression of atherosclerotic lesions. Therefore, this study was designed to evaluate Costa Rican adolescents’ serum alpha -tocopherol levels and their correlation with Body Mass Index (BMI) and the dietary intake of vitamin E and saturated and polyunsaturated fat. Ninety-five healthy, non-smoking adolescents and non-vitamin supplement users (aged 13-18) from urban and rural areas in San José, Costa Rica, were included in this study. Serum levels of lipid adjusted alpha -tocopherol were significantly higher in rural adolescents compared with urban youngsters (4.192 mu mol/mmol ± 0.831 and 3.486mu mol/mmol ± 0.996, respectively). Likewise, reported mean daily 1000 kcal adjusted-vitamin E intake was higher in rural adolescents than in urban youngsters (9.2 ± 3.7 mg, 16.0 ± 8.7 mg). An important correlation was observed between intake of energy from saturated fat and adjusted-alpha -tocopherol serum levels (r = 0.430). Contrariwise, they correlated poorly with dietary alpha -tocopherol (r = 0.273), suggesting that serum is not a good biomarket of intake for alpha -tocopherol. Additionally, our results showed a negative relationship between BMI and adjusted-serum vitamin E levels (beta =-0.189; CI 95% -0.153,-0.013). The analysis of vitamin E intake showed that over 25% of adolescents have inadequate intake of the nutrient. This study suggests that nutritionists and pediatricians should encourage alpha -tocopherol intake and monitor the food sources of the nutrient and the adolescents’ body weight as part of the strategies aimed at developing a healthy lifestyle.