Effect of a pine needle water extract intake on the vitamin status of physically active young men
The objective. To assess the effect of intake of a pine needle water extract on the vitamin А, Е, В<sub>2</sub>, В<sub>12</sub>, D, folate and ß-carotene status in men. Patients and methods. Concentrations of vitamins А, Е, D, В<sub>2</sub>, В<sub>12</sub>, folate and ß-carotene in blood plasma of 17 practically healthy men aged 18-26 years (21.0±0.19 years) with body mass index 22.8±0.36 kg/m<sup>2</sup>, getting regular physical exercise (3 times a week for 1.5 hrs), was assessed twice before the beginning of intake and a week after, during this week they received daily 2 tablespoonfuls (36-40 ml) of a water extract (40 g per 60 ml of water) of pine needles. Results. The vitamin status did not practically change. The levels of vitamin D, tocopherols and ß-carotene did not change. Concentrations of vitamins А and В<sub>2</sub> tended to decrease, vitamin В<sub>12</sub> decreased statistically significantly. A repeat examination found vitamin В<sub>2</sub> deficiency in 2 students. The number of individuals with vitamin Е deficiency decreased from 3 before a pine needle extract intake to 1. Conclusions. The absence of a positive effect on plasma concentrations of the vitamins under study is not surprising since the extract was not their source. A combined vitamin deficiency found in a considerable part of students necessitates its correction by inclusion of vitamin-enriched food products in the diet and/or intake of multivitamin complexes.