Hundred and thirty two male healthy smokers and non-smokers aged 40-55 years were evaluated using anthropometric, dietary intake and biochemical measurements. The mean body mass index was 26.87 ± 1.6 for smokers and 29.96 ± 1.1 for non-smokers. Body fat percent was significantly lower in smokers than that in non-smokers.
Smokers declared significantly lower intakes of vitamins A, E and significantly higher intakes of saturated fat and energy derived from carbohydrates than non-smokers.
The plasma vitamin levels revealed deficiency in vitamin A, E, and C in smokers than that of non-smokers. The activities of scavenging enzyme superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-PX) were significantly higher in smokers than non-smokers.
Smoker subjects received dietary supplementation with vitamins A, C, and E for two months. After supplementation, the levels of these vitamins were increased significantly in plasma. On the other hand, the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) showed a significant decrease and the activity of glutathione peroxidase (GSH-PX) was non-significantly decreased in smokers than in non-smokers.
The present study revealed many unhealthy patterns of nutrient intakes in smokers as compared to non-smokers and should be advised to obtain sufficient amounts of antioxidants in their diets. Also, supplementation with vitamin A, E and C lead to improve the activities of the free radical scavenging enzymes.