Effect of a voluntary food fortification policy on folate, related B vitamin status, and homocysteine in healthy adults.
Citation:
L. Hoey, H. McNulty, N. Askin, A. Dunne, M. Ward, K. Pentieva, J. Strain, A.M. Molloy, C.A. Flynn, J.M. Scott. , Effect of a voluntary food fortification policy on folate, related B vitamin status, and homocysteine in healthy adults., American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 86, 5, 2007, 1405 - 1413Download Item:
Effect of a voluntary food fortification policy on folate, related B vitamin status, and homocysteine in healthy adults.pdf (published (publisher copy) peer-reviewed) 304.6Kb
Abstract:
Background: Mandatory folic acid fortification of food is effective in reducing neural tube defects and may even reduce stroke-related mortality, but it remains controversial because of concerns about potential adverse effects. Thus, it is virtually nonexistent in Europe, albeit many countries allow food fortification on a voluntary basis.
Objective: The objective of the study was to examine the effect of a voluntary but liberal food fortification policy on dietary intake and biomarker status of folate and other homocysteine-related B vitamins in a healthy population.
Design: The study was a cross-sectional study. From a convenience sample of 662 adults in Northern Ireland, those who provided a fasting blood sample and dietary intake data were examined (n = 441, aged 18?92 y). Intakes of both natural food folate and folic acid from fortified foods were estimated; we used the latter to categorize participants by fortified food intake.
Results: Fortified foods were associated with significantly higher dietary intakes and biomarker status of folate, vitamin B-12, vitamin B-6, and riboflavin than were unfortified foods. There was no difference in natural food folate intake (range: 179?197 ?g/d) between the fortified food categories. Red blood cell folate concentrations were 387 nmol/L higher and plasma total homocysteine concentrations were 2 ?mol/L lower in the group with the highest fortified food intake (median intake: 208 ?g/d folic acid) than in the nonconsumers of fortified foods (0 ?g/d folic acid).
Conclusions: These results show that voluntary food fortification is associated with a substantial increase in dietary intake and biomarker status of folate and metabolically related B vitamins with potential beneficial effects on health. However, those who do not consume fortified foods regularly may have insufficient B vitamin status to achieve the known and potential health benefits.
Author's Homepage:
http://people.tcd.ie/amolloyhttp://people.tcd.ie/jscott
Description:
PUBLISHEDPubMed ID: 17991653
Author: MOLLOY, ANNE MARIE; SCOTT, JOHN MARTIN
Type of material:
Journal ArticleCollections:
Series/Report no:
American Journal of Clinical Nutrition86
5
Availability:
Full text availableLicences: