Title:
Homocysteine, B vitamins, vitamin C and dietary pattern in healthy Thai smokers : as risk factors of cardiovascular diseases
Abstract:
Cigarette smoking increases morbidity and the mortality risk of cardiovascular diseases B vitamins regulate the metabolism of homocysteine via remethylation and transsulfuration pathways The purpose of this study was to investigate homocysteine concentrations, vitamin status, dietary pattern anthropometric and hematological measurements of 174 smokers compared with 97 nonsmoking subjects Total homocysteine concentrations in plasma were significantly higher in smokers than nonsmokers Vitamin B2, folate, B12 and C concentrations were significantly lower among smokers than nonsmokers but vitamin B, was not significantly different between these groups Total homocysteine concentration significantly and positively correlated with the waist/hip ratio and smoking characteristics such as the number of cigarettes per day and pack-years and significantly but negatively correlated with folate and vitamin B12 The percentage of hyperhomocysternemia in smokers (62%) was higher than in nonsmokers (33%) Dietary intake assessment showed that smokers consumed significantly less energy from carbohydrate compared to nonsmokers, while energy derived from protein and fat did not differ between groups Furthermore, smokers consumed less dietary fiber, iron, calcium, phosphorus, vitamin A, vitamin B1, vitamin B2 and vitamin C, compared with nonsmokers Therefore, increased plasma total homocysteine concentrations in healthy smokers may be explained by low B vitamin status that is Inked to the homocysteine metabolsm as well as vitamin B2, folate, and B12 The risk for smokers of developing cardiovascular diseases not only is associated, besides others, to high level of homocyteine but also to insufficient intake of micronutrients Public health attempts therefore should not only am towards smoking cessation, which often proves to be unsuccessful, but also to a balanced diet in terms of the vitamin and trace element content
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