Theoretical and practical aspects of modern vitaminology
Spirichev, V.B.
Voprosy Pitaniia 64(5): 32-48
2005
ISSN/ISBN: 0042-8833 PMID: 16313135 Document Number: 594126
In this paper, achievements in modern vitaminology are discussed. The most impressive success in fundamental vitaminology during the last decades was achieved in the following areas: elucidation of metabolic roles and molecular mechanisms of the vitamin's action; development and improvement of highly sensitive modern methods of analytical vitamin determination in biological objects and food; establishment of reliable criteria and methods for human vitamin status assessment; examination of physiological human vitamin requirements and establishment of Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDA) or Adequate Levels (AL) of their intake; and elaboration of the scientific basis for reasonable vitamin application in disease prevention and treatment. In the area of applied vitaminology, most attention during the last few decades focused on vitamin status determination of specific sample populations, application of measures for the prevention of vitamin insufficiency and improvement of the vitamin status of specific populations, and the development and industrial production of vitamins, multivitamin preparations and various vitamin-enriched foods for the same purpose. The decrease in the state's financial support for basic studies and applied investigations make it necessary to organize non-state commercial technology centres for such endeavours.