A vitamin profile of heroin addiction

Am J Public Health. 1979 Oct;69(10):1058-60. doi: 10.2105/ajph.69.10.1058.

Abstract

Circulating thiamine, riboflavin, nicotinates, folates, vitamin B12, B6, A, and carotenes of 149 heroin addicts aged 17-60 years were compared to 204 healthy subjects not using drugs or vitamins. Only 24 per cent of the addicts had no evidence of hypovitaminemia; 45 per cent and 37 per cent had vitamin B6 and folate deficit respectively, whereas deficits of thiamine, vitamin B12, riboflavin, and nicotinate were recorded for 13-19 per cent of the addict population; impaired liver function in addicts did not influence these results.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Avitaminosis / complications*
  • Female
  • Folic Acid Deficiency / complications
  • Heroin Dependence / blood
  • Heroin Dependence / complications*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Vitamin B 6 Deficiency / complications
  • Vitamins / blood

Substances

  • Vitamins