Association between Serum Unmetabolized Folic Acid Concentrations and Folic Acid from Fortified Foods

Author(s)

Palchetti, Cecilia Zanin ^[1] ; Paniz, Clovis ^[1] ; de Carli, Eduardo ^[2] ; Marchioni, Dirce M. ^[3] ; Colli, Celia ^[2] ; Steluti, Josiane ^[3] ; Pfeiffer, Christine M. ^[4] ; Fazili, Zia ^[4] ; Guerra-Shinohara, Elvira Maria ^[1]

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Sao Paulo, Fac Pharmaceut Sci, Dept Clin & Toxicol Anal, Av Prof Lineu Prestes, 580 Bloco 17 Sala 113, BR-05508900 Sao Paulo, SP - Brazil

^[2] Univ Sao Paulo, Fac Pharmaceut Sci, Dept Food & Expt Nutr, Sao Paulo - Brazil

^[3] Univ Sao Paulo, Sch Publ Hlth, Dept Nutr, Sao Paulo - Brazil

^[4] Ctr Dis Control & Prevent, Natl Ctr Environm Hlth, Atlanta, GA - USA

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN COLLEGE OF NUTRITION; v. 36, n. 7, p. 572-578, 2017.
• Web of Science Citations: 0

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the association between serum unmetabolized folic acid (UMFA) concentrations and folic acid from fortified foods and nutrients known as dietary methyl-group donors (folate, methionine, choline, betaine and vitamins B2, B6 and B12) in participants exposed to mandatory fortification of wheat and maize flours with folic acid. Methods: Cross-sectional study carried out with 144 healthy Brazilian participants, both sexes, supplement nonusers. Serum folate, UMFA, vitamin B12 and total plasma homocysteine (tHcy) were biochemically measured. Dietary intake was assessed by 2 non-consecutive 24-hour dietary recalls (24-HRs) and deattenuated energy-adjusted nutrient data were used for statistical analysis. Results: Ninety eight (68.1%) participants were women. Median (interquartile range) age was 35.5 (28.0-52.0) years. Elevated serum folate concentrations (>45 nmol/L) were found in 17 (11.8%), while folate deficiency (<7 nmol/L) in 10 (6.9%) participants. No one had vitamin B12 deficiency (<148 pmol/L). An elevated serum UMFA concentration was defined as >1 nmol/L (90th percentile). UMFA concentrations were positively correlated with folic acid intake and negatively correlated to choline, methionine and vitamin B6 intakes. Participants in the lowest quartile of UMFA concentrations had lower dietary intake of total folate (DFEs) and folic acid, and higher dietary intake of methionine, choline and vitamin B6 than participants in the highest quartile of UMFA. Folic acid intake (OR {[}95% CI] = 1.02 {[}1.01-1.04)] and being a male (OR {[}95% CI] = 0.40 {[}0.19-0.87) were associated with increased and reduced odds for UMFA concentrations >0.55 nmol/L (median values), respectively. Conclusion: UMFA concentrations were directly influenced by folic acid intake from fortified foods in a healthy convenience sample of adult Brazilians exposed to mandatory flour fortification with folic acid. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 14/23195-4 - Effect of high concentrations of folic acid in mineral metabolism and oxidative stress
• Grantee: Cecília Zanin Palchetti
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• FAPESP's process: 12/12912-1 - Effects of unmetabolized folic acid on global DNA methylation, mRNA expression and NK cells cytotoxicity in individuals exposed to mandatory fortification with folic acid and / or therapeutic use of this vitamin
• Grantee: Elvira Maria Guerra Shinohara
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants