Printed In USA. Serum a-Tocopherol Status in the United States Population: Findings from the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey

Despite the role vitamin E may have in protecting against various chronic conditions, little is known about vitamin E status in the US population. Using data from the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (1988-1994), the authors examined the distribution and correlates of serum a-tocopherol among 16,295 US adults aged 18 or more years. The mean concentration of a-tocopherol was 26.8 umol/liter (geometric mean, 25.0 umol/liter). The 25th, 50th, and 75th percentiles were 19.6, 24.1, and 30.4 ujnol/liter, respectively. The mean a-tocopherol/cholesterol ratio was 5.1 (geometric mean, 4.9); the 25th, 50th, and 75th percentiles were 4.1, 4.7, and 5.5 (10"3), respectively. About 27 % of the US population had a low a-tocopherol concentration (<2