Vitamin-mineral supplementation in OCA users increases serum phospholipids phospholipids decreases lipid levels.

To distinguish between the effects of oral contraceptives (OCs) and nutrient intake on the levels of serum fats 2 groups of OC users 1 on combined OCs and 1 on sequential were compared with a control group during 2 menstrual cycles. During the 2nd cycle OC users were supplied with a vitamin supplement (Natabec). A nutritional assessment of the 24-hour dietary intake indicated that the average intake of the OC user was deficient in iron magnesium calcium and B6 whereas nonusers were deficient in iron and magnesium only. Serum fat components were studied in each serum sample (cholesterol triglycerides total lipids and phospholipids). During the 1st month the mean total serum lipid levels were: 437+ or -27.45mg% for the combined OC group; 520+ or -20.1 mg% for the sequential OC group; and 401+ or -18 mg% for controls. The group mean values for the supplemented (2nd) month were: 467+ or -34 mg% for combined OC users; 459+ or -37 mg% for sequential OC users; and 389+ or -20 mg% for controls. Mean serum cholesterol levels for the 1st month were: 168 for combined users; 156 for sequential users and 126 mg% for controls. During supplementation mean monthly levels were: 161 for combined 141 for sequential and 121 mg% for controls. Mean group serum triglyceride for the 1st month were: 124 for combined 122 for sequential a and 64 mg% for controls. Supplement month values were: 98 for combined 100 for sequential and 63 for controls. Phospholipd levels for the 1st month were: 158 242 and 210 for combined sequential and controls respectively. Supplemented month means were virtually identical for all groups.