Age and Sex Differences in the Association between Serum Vitamin E Levels and Depressive Symptoms: Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey

Negative Association between Vitamin E Intake and Remnant Cholesterol: The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2007-2020

BACKGROUND

Remnant cholesterol (RC) is a risk factor for the development of atherosclerosis. Vitamin E has antioxidant properties, making it a potentially effective management tool for preventing cardiovascular disease (CVD). However, the relationship between vitamin E intake and RC remains unclear.

METHODS

We conducted a cross-sectional study using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) Survey 2007-2020. 11,585 participants (aged ≥20, 48% male) were included. Information on vitamin E intake (dietary vitamin E intake and total vitamin E intake) was collected. RC was defined as serum total cholesterol minus high-density lipoprotein and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol. Survey-weighted linear regression models and a restricted cubic spline (RCS) were used to test the relationship between vitamin E intake and RC. Subgroup analyses and interaction tests were also performed to verify the robustness of the results.

RESULTS

After adjusting for all potential confounders (demographics, socioeconomic status, lifestyle, diet, and comorbidities), dietary vitamin E intake was negatively associated with RC (β = -0.21, 95% CI: (-0.29, -0.12), p < 0.0001), and this negative association was also present between total vitamin E intake and RC (β = -0.12, 95% CI: (-0.18, -0.06), p < 0.0001). The RCS analysis revealed a nonlinear negative association between vitamin E intake and RC. The negative correlation existed in different subgroups, with no interaction except for the "use of vitamin E supplements" subgroup.

CONCLUSION

Vitamin E intake showed a protective association with RC. The results suggest that increasing dietary vitamin E intake may help reduce RC levels and CVD risk.

Nutritional Status of Vitamin E and Its Association with Metabolic Health in Adults

BACKGROUND

Vitamin E is one of the key dietary antioxidants. However, current evidence remains insufficient to establish a definitive relationship between circulating vitamin E levels, body fat content, and their influence on metabolic health. This study aimed to assess and compare the vitamin E nutritional status in adults with normal and excess body fat and its determinants.

METHODS

Concentrations of vitamin E isoforms (α- and γ-tocopherols, α- and γ-tocotrienols) were assessed in 127 individuals. Body fat content and other anthropometric indices, as well as biochemical markers such as lipid profile, plasma fatty acid concentration and C-reactive protein, were identified as markers of metabolic health. Participants were divided into two groups: with normal and excess body fat (defined as more than 30% in women and more than 25% in men).

RESULTS

The determinants of higher α-tocopherol concentrations were lower body fat content and higher levels of circulating lipids as HDL and LDL (R2 = 0.221, p < 0.001 in a model of multivariate linear regression). The level of circulating vitamin E isoforms correlated with the concentration of CRP (r = -0.464 for α-T, r = -0.453 for αT3, r = -0.270 for γ-T, r = -0.355 for γ-T3). Similarly, elevated concentrations of vitamin E isoforms are linked to lower adipose tissue content, which may contribute to lower inflammation and improved metabolic health (r = -0.359 for α-T, r = -0.333 for αT3, r = -0.276 for γ-T3, no significant correlation for γ-T).

CONCLUSIONS

These results reveal that the vitamin E status of adults with excess body fat may be inadequate and linked to poorer metabolic health. We found that the determinants of lower plasma vitamin E were higher BF and lower TC and its fraction, with the strongest correlations being found for HDL.

Serum Vitamin Levels, Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors, and Their Association with Depression in Korean Women: A Cross-Sectional Study of a Nationally Representative Sample

Background and Objectives: Serum vitamin levels, cardiovascular disease risk factors, and their association with depression is a complex issue that has been the subject of much research. Therefore, we investigated the relationship between vitamin A, B9, and E levels, cardiovascular risk factors, and depression in premenopausal and menopausal South Korean women. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study used the 2016-2018 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data. Depression was assessed using a questionnaire to check for symptoms of depression or the Patient Health Questionnaire-9. Blood samples were collected from the antecubital vein in the morning after an overnight fast. Covariates were defined as self-reported physician diagnoses. Well-trained medical staff performed the standard procedures. Statistical analysis was performed using the complex sample analysis method of SPSS, using two separate logistic regression models (model 1: adjusted for age; model 2: adjusted for age, marital status, smoking, and alcohol consumption). Results: A total of 3313 women aged over 20 years were enrolled. The association between vitamin A levels and depression was as follows: lower levels of vitamin A were associated with an increased risk of depression in premenopausal women in model 1 and model 2. The levels of serum vitamins E and B9 were not correlated with depression in premenopausal and postmenopausal women. In the premenopausal group, depression increased in the obesity (model 1: p = 0.037; model 2: p = 0.047) and diabetes mellitus (model 1: p = 0.010; model 2: p = 0.009) groups. The menopausal group with depression had higher rates of stroke (model 1: p = 0.017; model 2: p = 0.039) and myocardial infarction (model 1: p = 0.004; model 2: p = 0.008) than the group without depression. Conclusions: Depression is correlated with lower blood levels of vitamin A in premenopausal women. Vitamin B9 and E levels were not associated with depression independent of menopausal status. Depression is associated with obesity and diabetes mellitus in premenopausal women and with stroke and myocardial infarction in postmenopausal women.