Relationship between smoking and antioxidant nutrient status

Abstract

The present study was designed to investigate teh relationship between smoking and antioxidant nutriennt intake and status. Smoker (n44) and non-smoker (n 44) male students attending Dhake University, aged between 22 and 28 years and living in a University Hall of Residence, were selected for the present study. Mean age, body weigh, BMI and blood pressure were similer for both the smokers and non-smokers. Mean energy, protein and fat intakes were similar for both groups. Smokers had lower intakes of dietary viamin C, carotenes and Zn but only the difference in Zn intake was statistically significant. There was no significant difference between smokers and non-smokers for either serum vitamin A (retinol) or vitamin E (α-tocopherol) level. The plasma vitamin C level of smokers was significantly lower than that of non-smokers (P= 0·004). Smokers had significantly lower serum Cu (P= 0·04) and higher seum Zn levels (P= 0·003). Further, a significant dose-response relationship between and vitamin C status was observed. Linear-regression analysis showed a significantly positive correlation between dietary intake and plasma vitamin C values in non-smokers (r 0·50; P = 0·0005). On the country, no such association was observed in smokers. These findings suggest that smoking may cause an imbalance in antioxidant nutrient intake and status.