The adequacy of vitamin E and vitamin C intakes by residents of Newfoundland and Labrador and its possible relationship to diabetes status: secondary analysis of data collected by the Nutrition Newfoundland and Labrador survey

Abstract

This study is a secondary analysis of data collected by ‘Nutrition Newfoundland and Labrador’. Its primary goal was to estimate the adequacy of total vitamin E and total vitamin C intakes, by residents of this province. A secondary goal of this study was to look for a possible relationship between dietary intakes and diabetes status. Participants included 1927 non-institutionalized residents aged 18-74 years for the vitamin C analysis and 1181 participants for the Vitamin E analysis. The results suggest 82.3% of residents are not consuming enough total vitamin E to meet their estimated needs. Considering intake of total vitamin C, 48.3% of male non-smokers, 45.3% of female non-smokers, 78.8% of male smokers and 73.6% of female smokers have inadequate intakes. The intake of no nutrient studied was found to be associated with diabetes status. Residents of the province should be encouraged to consume diets of higher micronutrient density.