Purpose: A one-year blood analysis and dietary intake survey was conducted on postmenopausal women living in a large city in Korea to analyze the atherogenic index of plasma (AIP), a predictive factor for cardiovascular disease, and the relationship between the AIP and blood or nutritional indices was analyzed. Methods: The study subjects were 92 women aged 45 to 69 years who lived in Daejeon and had been through menopause for more than one year. Blood samples were collected twice a year, in the fall and spring, and dietary intake surveys were conducted four times a year, once each season, from September 2021 to August 2022. The subjects’ drinking, exercise status, supplement intake, body mass index, blood sugar, and lipid profiles were investigated. Results: The mean AIP of the study participants was −0.30±−0.55, and 76% were in the low-risk group for cardiovascular disease. The body mass index, body weight, total body fat ratio, fasting blood sugar, and glycated hemoglobin of the study participants increased as the AIP quartile increased. A lower AIP quartile means a higher nutrient intake of omega-3 fatty acids, calcium, and iron and a higher intake of vegetables and oily fish among food groups. Conclusion Weight and blood sugar control are essential to prevent cardiovascular disease in postmenopausal Korean women, and it is necessary to consume more than two servings (approximately 140 g) of oily fish, a source of omega-3 fatty acids, per week and at least four to five servings/day of vegetables, including kimchi.

Purpose: A one-year blood analysis and dietary intake survey was conducted on postmenopausal women living in a large city in Korea to analyze the atherogenic index of plasma (AIP), a predictive factor for cardiovascular disease, and the relationship between the AIP and blood or nutritional indices was analyzed. Methods: The study subjects were 92 women aged 45 to 69 years who lived in Daejeon and had been through menopause for more than one year. Blood samples were collected twice a year, in the fall and spring, and dietary intake surveys were conducted four times a year, once each season, from September 2021 to August 2022. The subjects’ drinking, exercise status, supplement intake, body mass index, blood sugar, and lipid profiles were investigated. Results: The mean AIP of the study participants was −0.30±−0.55, and 76% were in the low-risk group for cardiovascular disease. The body mass index, body weight, total body fat ratio, fasting blood sugar, and glycated hemoglobin of the study participants increased as the AIP quartile increased. A lower AIP quartile means a higher nutrient intake of omega-3 fatty acids, calcium, and iron and a higher intake of vegetables and oily fish among food groups. Conclusion Weight and blood sugar control are essential to prevent cardiovascular disease in postmenopausal Korean women, and it is necessary to consume more than two servings (approximately 140 g) of oily fish, a source of omega-3 fatty acids, per week and at least four to five servings/day of vegetables, including kimchi.

Purpose: A one-year blood analysis and dietary intake survey was conducted on postmenopausal women living in a large city in Korea to analyze the atherogenic index of plasma (AIP), a predictive factor for cardiovascular disease, and the relationship between the AIP and blood or nutritional indices was analyzed. Methods: The study subjects were 92 women aged 45 to 69 years who lived in Daejeon and had been through menopause for more than one year. Blood samples were collected twice a year, in the fall and spring, and dietary intake surveys were conducted four times a year, once each season, from September 2021 to August 2022. The subjects’ drinking, exercise status, supplement intake, body mass index, blood sugar, and lipid profiles were investigated. Results: The mean AIP of the study participants was −0.30±−0.55, and 76% were in the low-risk group for cardiovascular disease. The body mass index, body weight, total body fat ratio, fasting blood sugar, and glycated hemoglobin of the study participants increased as the AIP quartile increased. A lower AIP quartile means a higher nutrient intake of omega-3 fatty acids, calcium, and iron and a higher intake of vegetables and oily fish among food groups. Conclusion Weight and blood sugar control are essential to prevent cardiovascular disease in postmenopausal Korean women, and it is necessary to consume more than two servings (approximately 140 g) of oily fish, a source of omega-3 fatty acids, per week and at least four to five servings/day of vegetables, including kimchi.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Appropriate vitamin D status improves bone health and chronic diseases; it has shown benefits during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. Therefore, assessing vitamin D status is crucial. However, limited research on vitamin D intake among Koreans complicates understanding of its consumption. This study aimed to develop and validate a semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) to assess vitamin D intake among Koreans. SUBJECTS/METHODS: A vitamin D FFQ was developed to include 31 vitamin D source foods from 8 food groups frequently consumed by Korean adults. The study included 152 women residing in a major city in South Korea. From September 2020 to August 2022, intake was surveyed using a 12-day dietary record (12-day DR) across 4 seasons, and 2 vitamin D FFQs were conducted approximately 9–11 months apart (FFQ1 and FFQ2). Reproducibility (FFQ1 vs. FFQ2) and validity (FFQ2 vs. 12-day DR) were verified using Spearman’s rank correlation, weighted kappa coefficient, intraclass correlation, and Bland–Altman plots. RESULTS: The vitamin D intake of Korean women using the newly developed vitamin D FFQ was higher at FFQ1 (4.90 µg/day) and FFQ2 (4.58 µg/day) compared with the 12-day DR (4.07 µg/day). Additionally, the results for reproducibility and validity were demonstrated through the Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient (reproducibility, 0.592; validity, 0.460), weighted kappa coefficient (reproducibility, 0.379; validity, 0.284), intraclass correlation coefficient (reproducibility, 0.599; validity, 0.543), and Bland–Altman plots (reproducibility index, 3.95%; validity index, 3.95%). CONCLUSION This study confirmed the newly developed vitamin D FFQ is reliable and valid for assessing vitamin D intake among Korean women. These results suggest the FFQ is an effective tool for dietary assessment, particularly in large-scale studies where year-round monitoring may not be feasible. Further validation in Korean men is crucial to enhance its applicability, enabling significant contributions to assessing vitamin D intake among Korean adults.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Appropriate vitamin D status improves bone health and chronic diseases; it has shown benefits during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. Therefore, assessing vitamin D status is crucial. However, limited research on vitamin D intake among Koreans complicates understanding of its consumption. This study aimed to develop and validate a semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) to assess vitamin D intake among Koreans. SUBJECTS/METHODS: A vitamin D FFQ was developed to include 31 vitamin D source foods from 8 food groups frequently consumed by Korean adults. The study included 152 women residing in a major city in South Korea. From September 2020 to August 2022, intake was surveyed using a 12-day dietary record (12-day DR) across 4 seasons, and 2 vitamin D FFQs were conducted approximately 9–11 months apart (FFQ1 and FFQ2). Reproducibility (FFQ1 vs. FFQ2) and validity (FFQ2 vs. 12-day DR) were verified using Spearman’s rank correlation, weighted kappa coefficient, intraclass correlation, and Bland–Altman plots. RESULTS: The vitamin D intake of Korean women using the newly developed vitamin D FFQ was higher at FFQ1 (4.90 µg/day) and FFQ2 (4.58 µg/day) compared with the 12-day DR (4.07 µg/day). Additionally, the results for reproducibility and validity were demonstrated through the Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient (reproducibility, 0.592; validity, 0.460), weighted kappa coefficient (reproducibility, 0.379; validity, 0.284), intraclass correlation coefficient (reproducibility, 0.599; validity, 0.543), and Bland–Altman plots (reproducibility index, 3.95%; validity index, 3.95%). CONCLUSION This study confirmed the newly developed vitamin D FFQ is reliable and valid for assessing vitamin D intake among Korean women. These results suggest the FFQ is an effective tool for dietary assessment, particularly in large-scale studies where year-round monitoring may not be feasible. Further validation in Korean men is crucial to enhance its applicability, enabling significant contributions to assessing vitamin D intake among Korean adults.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Appropriate vitamin D status improves bone health and chronic diseases; it has shown benefits during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. Therefore, assessing vitamin D status is crucial. However, limited research on vitamin D intake among Koreans complicates understanding of its consumption. This study aimed to develop and validate a semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) to assess vitamin D intake among Koreans. SUBJECTS/METHODS: A vitamin D FFQ was developed to include 31 vitamin D source foods from 8 food groups frequently consumed by Korean adults. The study included 152 women residing in a major city in South Korea. From September 2020 to August 2022, intake was surveyed using a 12-day dietary record (12-day DR) across 4 seasons, and 2 vitamin D FFQs were conducted approximately 9–11 months apart (FFQ1 and FFQ2). Reproducibility (FFQ1 vs. FFQ2) and validity (FFQ2 vs. 12-day DR) were verified using Spearman’s rank correlation, weighted kappa coefficient, intraclass correlation, and Bland–Altman plots. RESULTS: The vitamin D intake of Korean women using the newly developed vitamin D FFQ was higher at FFQ1 (4.90 µg/day) and FFQ2 (4.58 µg/day) compared with the 12-day DR (4.07 µg/day). Additionally, the results for reproducibility and validity were demonstrated through the Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient (reproducibility, 0.592; validity, 0.460), weighted kappa coefficient (reproducibility, 0.379; validity, 0.284), intraclass correlation coefficient (reproducibility, 0.599; validity, 0.543), and Bland–Altman plots (reproducibility index, 3.95%; validity index, 3.95%). CONCLUSION This study confirmed the newly developed vitamin D FFQ is reliable and valid for assessing vitamin D intake among Korean women. These results suggest the FFQ is an effective tool for dietary assessment, particularly in large-scale studies where year-round monitoring may not be feasible. Further validation in Korean men is crucial to enhance its applicability, enabling significant contributions to assessing vitamin D intake among Korean adults.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Appropriate vitamin D status improves bone health and chronic diseases; it has shown benefits during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. Therefore, assessing vitamin D status is crucial. However, limited research on vitamin D intake among Koreans complicates understanding of its consumption. This study aimed to develop and validate a semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) to assess vitamin D intake among Koreans. SUBJECTS/METHODS: A vitamin D FFQ was developed to include 31 vitamin D source foods from 8 food groups frequently consumed by Korean adults. The study included 152 women residing in a major city in South Korea. From September 2020 to August 2022, intake was surveyed using a 12-day dietary record (12-day DR) across 4 seasons, and 2 vitamin D FFQs were conducted approximately 9–11 months apart (FFQ1 and FFQ2). Reproducibility (FFQ1 vs. FFQ2) and validity (FFQ2 vs. 12-day DR) were verified using Spearman’s rank correlation, weighted kappa coefficient, intraclass correlation, and Bland–Altman plots. RESULTS: The vitamin D intake of Korean women using the newly developed vitamin D FFQ was higher at FFQ1 (4.90 µg/day) and FFQ2 (4.58 µg/day) compared with the 12-day DR (4.07 µg/day). Additionally, the results for reproducibility and validity were demonstrated through the Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient (reproducibility, 0.592; validity, 0.460), weighted kappa coefficient (reproducibility, 0.379; validity, 0.284), intraclass correlation coefficient (reproducibility, 0.599; validity, 0.543), and Bland–Altman plots (reproducibility index, 3.95%; validity index, 3.95%). CONCLUSION This study confirmed the newly developed vitamin D FFQ is reliable and valid for assessing vitamin D intake among Korean women. These results suggest the FFQ is an effective tool for dietary assessment, particularly in large-scale studies where year-round monitoring may not be feasible. Further validation in Korean men is crucial to enhance its applicability, enabling significant contributions to assessing vitamin D intake among Korean adults.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Appropriate vitamin D status improves bone health and chronic diseases; it has shown benefits during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. Therefore, assessing vitamin D status is crucial. However, limited research on vitamin D intake among Koreans complicates understanding of its consumption. This study aimed to develop and validate a semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) to assess vitamin D intake among Koreans. SUBJECTS/METHODS: A vitamin D FFQ was developed to include 31 vitamin D source foods from 8 food groups frequently consumed by Korean adults. The study included 152 women residing in a major city in South Korea. From September 2020 to August 2022, intake was surveyed using a 12-day dietary record (12-day DR) across 4 seasons, and 2 vitamin D FFQs were conducted approximately 9–11 months apart (FFQ1 and FFQ2). Reproducibility (FFQ1 vs. FFQ2) and validity (FFQ2 vs. 12-day DR) were verified using Spearman’s rank correlation, weighted kappa coefficient, intraclass correlation, and Bland–Altman plots. RESULTS: The vitamin D intake of Korean women using the newly developed vitamin D FFQ was higher at FFQ1 (4.90 µg/day) and FFQ2 (4.58 µg/day) compared with the 12-day DR (4.07 µg/day). Additionally, the results for reproducibility and validity were demonstrated through the Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient (reproducibility, 0.592; validity, 0.460), weighted kappa coefficient (reproducibility, 0.379; validity, 0.284), intraclass correlation coefficient (reproducibility, 0.599; validity, 0.543), and Bland–Altman plots (reproducibility index, 3.95%; validity index, 3.95%). CONCLUSION This study confirmed the newly developed vitamin D FFQ is reliable and valid for assessing vitamin D intake among Korean women. These results suggest the FFQ is an effective tool for dietary assessment, particularly in large-scale studies where year-round monitoring may not be feasible. Further validation in Korean men is crucial to enhance its applicability, enabling significant contributions to assessing vitamin D intake among Korean adults.

Purpose: The nutritional status of folate in Korean adults was evaluated using the newly established folate database (DB) and data from the 7th Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Methods: This study analyzed the folate intake of 15,054 people (6,278 men and 8,776 women) and the relationship with serum folate concentration of 5,260 people (2,272 men and 2,988 women). Results: The average daily folate intake among Korean adults was lowest in the 19 to 29-year age group and highest in those in their 50s. Folate intake was higher in groups with higher education and household income, non-smokers, participants in aerobic physical activity, and dietary supplement users regardless of sex. Among men, office workers consumed more folate than physical workers. Vegetables and grains were the first and second most contributing food groups to folate intake. The serum folate levels were higher in women than men and lowest in the 19–29 year age group for both sexes. After adjusting for energy intake, age, income, smoking, physical activity, and dietary supplement intake, serum folate concentration increased significantly as intake increased (p < 0.001). The explanatory power (R2 ) of folate intake on the blood folate concentration was 0.183 and 0.141 in men and women, respectively. Conclusion The proportion of participants consuming less than the estimated average requirement was 48.1% and 65.3% in men and women, respectively. In particular, the folate intake and serum levels of young men aged 19–29 years were the lowest. Therefore, it is necessary to improve their folate nutritional status through a balanced diet. In addition, the newly established folate DB may be useful for evaluating the folate nutritional status of Koreans.

Purpose: This study was conducted to establish whether an ethanol extract of Lycium barbarum leaves (LLE) and an ethanol extract of Lycium barbarum leaves from which chlorophyll has been removed, denoted as LLE(Ch−), have a protective effect against hepatic fat accumulation. Methods: The inhibitory effects of LLE and LLE(Ch−) on liver fat accumulation were examined in C57BL/6 mice with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) induced by an methionine and choline deficient diet and in HepG2 cells with palmitic acid-induced fat accumulation. Results: The plasma triglyceride, aspartate aminotransferase, and alanine aminotransferase levels were lower in the LLE(Ch−) group, whereas the plasma ALT activity decreased significantly in the LLE group. In both the LLE and the LLE(Ch−) groups, the triglyceride and cholesterol contents in the hepatic tissue were significantly reduced. A greater inhibitory effect on tissue fat accumulation was observed in the LLE(Ch−) group than in the LLE group. In HepG2 cells, LLE and LLE(Ch−) were non-toxic up to a concentration of 1,000 µg/mL. Compared to the control group, intracellular fat accumulation in the LLE and LLE(Ch−) groups were significantly reduced at concentrations of 200 µg/mL and 500 µg/mL, respectively. The expression of phosphorylated adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase and phosphorylated acetyl-CoA carboxylase in both LLE groups increased at the concentrations of 100 μg/mL and 500 μg/mL. The fatty acid synthase expression was suppressed in a concentration-dependent manner at 10 μg/mL. Conclusion The examined two ethanol extracts of LLE inhibit hepatic fat accumulation in NAFLD. This effect was more pronounced in the LLE(Ch−) group. Therefore, these 2 extracts have an anti-steatosis effect and can be used for NAFLD treatment.