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3 . 2017

Vitamin status of rural residents, living in Russian Arctic

Abstract

The aim of this cross-sectional observational study was to estimate vitamin D, B2, A, E, β-carotene (BC) status in rural residents, living in Russian Arctic (Yamal-Nenets Autonomous Area). 216 healthy adults (166 women, 50 men, 45.4+0.8 years old; BMI 27.5±0.5 kg/m2), 76% aboriginal ethnicity and 24% non-aboriginals subjects have been surveyed in spring 2016. Nenets were 72% among the surveyed, Russians - 14%, other ethnic groups - 14%. A total of 69 and 78% of subjects had 25(OH)D and BC blood serum concentrations less than the recommended target threshold of 30 ng/ml and 20 Mg/dL respectively. Deficiency of vitamins B2, A and E, when blood serum concentrations of riboflavin <5 ng/ml, retinol <30 Mg/dL and tocopherols <0.8 mg/dL, were found in 34, 15 and 13% of participants, respectively. The indigenous population was better supplied with vitamins D and B2. The lack of these vitamins was detected 1.3 and 1.8 fold less often (p<0.05) than in the non-aboriginals; whereas non-aboriginals were better provided with vitamin A and BC: the deficiency of these micronutrients was detected 3.1 and 1.8 fold less often (p<0.05) than in the inhabitants. In general, only 2.4% of those surveyed were sufficiently supplied with all 4 studied vitamins and BC. The frequency of deficit of one or two vitamins was revealed in 62.2%, combined deficiency of 3 or more vitamins was detected in 35.4%. There were no statistically significant differences in the incidence of combined multivitamin deficiencies among the indigenous and non-aboriginals. High incidence of vitamin A deficiency in the indigenous female population (21%) along with insufficiency of vitamin B2 in female non-aboriginals (48%), the lack of vitamin E in men (22%) and vitamin D and BC in 70-78% of the surveyed dictate the need for targeted enrichment of the diet of people living in extreme conditions of the Russian Arctic with multivitamin complexes.

Keywords:vitamins, blood serum, deficiency of vitamins, Russian Arctic, indigenous, non-aboriginals

Voprosy pitaniia [Problems of Nutrition]. 2017; 86 (3): 83-91. doi: 10.24411/0042-8833-2017-00049.

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CHIEF EDITOR
CHIEF EDITOR
Viktor A. Tutelyan
Full Member of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Doctor of Medical Sciences, Professor, Scientific Director of the Federal Research Centre of Nutrition, Biotechnology and Food Safety (Moscow, Russia)

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