Response of One-Carbon Biomarkers in Maternal and Cord Blood to Folic Acid Dose During Pregnancy.

Background/objectives: The folate Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA) for pregnant women is 600 μg/day dietary folate equivalents, which is equivalent to approximately 400 μg folic acid. Many prenatal supplements contain much higher doses of folic acid. The body's ability to reduce synthetic folic acid to the metabolically active form may be exceeded with high levels of supplementation.

National and regional population attributable fractions for anemia risk factors (iron, folate, and vitamin B12) in Belize: potential impact of fortification.

Objective: To estimate the national and regional population attributable fraction (PAF) and potential number of preventable anemia cases for three nutritional risk factors (iron, red blood cell folate [RBCF], and vitamin B12 deficiencies) among women of childbearing age in Belize.

Methods: A national probability-based household and micronutrient survey capturing sociodemographic and health information was conducted among 937 nonpregnant Belizean women aged 15-49 years. Blood samples were collected to determine hemoglobin, ferritin, alpha-1-glycoprotein (AGP), RBCF, and vitamin B12 status.

Prevalence and Disparities in Folate and Vitamin B12 Deficiency Among Preschool Children in Guatemala.

Background And Objective: Folate and vitamin B12 deficiencies can impair proper growth and brain development in children. Data on the folate and vitamin B12 status of children aged 6-59 months in Guatemala are scarce. Identification of factors associated with higher prevalence of these micronutrient deficiencies within the population is needed for national and regional policymakers.

DNA Methylation Changes in Whole Blood and CD16+ Neutrophils in Response to Chronic Folic Acid Supplementation in Women of Childbearing Age.

Folate, a water-soluble vitamin, is a key source of one-carbon groups for DNA methylation, but studies of the DNA methylation response to supplemental folic acid yield inconsistent results. These studies are commonly conducted using whole blood, which contains a mixed population of white blood cells that have been shown to confound results. The objective of this study was to determine if CD16+ neutrophils may provide more specific data than whole blood for identifying DNA methylation response to chronic folic acid supplementation.

Association between one-carbon metabolism indices and DNA methylation status in maternal and cord blood.

One-carbon metabolism is essential for multiple cellular processes and can be assessed by the concentration of folate metabolites in the blood. One-carbon metabolites serve as methyl donors that are required for epigenetic regulation. Deficiencies in these metabolites are associated with a variety of poor health outcomes, including adverse pregnancy complications.

Distinctions in gene-specific changes in DNA methylation in response to folic acid supplementation between women with normal weight and obesity.

Background/objectives: Obesity and maternal folate deficiency are associated with increased risk for neural tube defects (NTDs). Limited knowledge exists on the impact of folate status or obesity on DNA methylation of genes related to NTD risk and folate metabolism.

Subjects/methods: Women (18-35y) with normal weight (NW; BMI 18.

Folate Deficiency Is Prevalent in Women of Childbearing Age in Belize and Is Negatively Affected by Coexisting Vitamin B-12 Deficiency: Belize National Micronutrient Survey 2011.

Folate deficiency, vitamin B-12 deficiency, and anemia can have adverse effects on birth outcomes. Also, low vitamin B-12 reduces the formation of metabolically active folate. We sought to establish the baseline prevalence of and factors associated with folate deficiency and insufficiency, vitamin B-12 deficiency, and anemia among women of childbearing age (WCBA) in Belize.

Folate/folic acid knowledge, intake, and self-efficacy of college-aged women: impact of text messaging and availability of a folic acid-containing supplement.

Objective: To evaluate the impact of educational text messages (TMs) on folate/folic acid knowledge and consumption among college-aged women, and to evaluate the impact of providing folic acid supplements on folate/folic acid intake among college-aged women.

Participants: A total of 162 women (18-24 years) recruited from a university.

Methods: The protocol included 3 study visits and a 6-week intervention for 4 groups: control; TM only; supplement only; and TM+supplement.

Obesity affects short-term folate pharmacokinetics in women of childbearing age.

Maternal folate status and body mass index (BMI) are independent risk factors for neural tube defects (NTD). Population-based studies have identified an inverse association between serum folate and BMI, after adjusting for intake. The objective of this intervention study was to compare the relationship between BMI and the short-term pharmacokinetic response to an oral dose of folic acid.

Daily intake of 4 to 7 microg dietary vitamin B-12 is associated with steady concentrations of vitamin B-12-related biomarkers in a healthy young population.

Background: Studies have questioned whether the current Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) of 2.4 microg vitamin B-12/d is adequate.

Objective: We examined the association between dietary vitamin B-12 intake and biomarkers of vitamin B-12 status.

Holo-transcobalamin is an indicator of vitamin B-12 absorption in healthy adults with adequate vitamin B-12 status.

Background: It has been hypothesized that the response of holo-transcobalamin (holo-TC) to oral vitamin B-12 may be used to assess absorption. To develop a reliable clinical absorption test that uses holo-TC, it is necessary to determine the optimal timeline for vitamin B-12 administration and postdose assessment.

Objective: The objective of this study was to assess the magnitude and patterns of change in the postabsorption response of holo-TC to oral vitamin B-12.

Emerging concepts in nutrigenomics: a preview of what is to come.

This article provides an overview of the fundamental principles of genetics and emerging concepts related to the ways in which nutrients and bioactive food components may interact with the genome and subsequently affect human health. This exciting area of research is likely to have far-reaching implications for the assessment and treatment of critically and chronically ill individuals that will affect nutrition standards of care and practice. A brief overview of some of the ethical, legal, and social implications of genomic research and genome-based health care and a list of genetics resources also are provided.

Transcobalamin 776C->G polymorphism negatively affects vitamin B-12 metabolism.

Background: A common genetic polymorphism [transcobalamin (TC) 776C-->G] may affect the function of transcobalamin, the protein required for vitamin B-12 cellular uptake and metabolism. Remethylation of homocysteine is dependent on the production of 5-methyltetrahydrofolate and adequate vitamin B-12 for the methionine synthase reaction.

Objectives: The objectives were to assess the influence of the TC 776C--> G polymorphism on concentrations of the transcobalamin-vitamin B-12 complex (holo-TC) and to determine the combined effects of the TC 776C-->G and methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) 677C-->T polymorphisms and vitamin B-12 status on homocysteine concentrations.

Methionine synthase reductase 66A->G polymorphism is associated with increased plasma homocysteine concentration when combined with the homozygous methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase 677C->T variant.

Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) and methionine synthase reductase (MTRR) are important for homocysteine remethylation. This study was designed to determine the influence of genetic variants (MTHFR 677C-->T, MTHFR 1298A-->C, and MTRR 66A-->G), folate, and vitamin B-12 status on plasma homocysteine in women (20-30 y; n = 362). Plasma homocysteine was inversely (P < 0.

Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase 677C-->T polymorphism affects DNA methylation in response to controlled folate intake in young women.

DNA methylation is critical for normal genomic structure and function and is dependent on adequate folate status. A polymorphism (677C-->T) in a key folate enzyme, methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR), may impair DNA methylation when folate intake is inadequate and may increase the risk of reproductive abnormalities. The present study was designed to evaluate the effect of the MTHFR 677C-->T polymorphism on changes in global DNA methylation in young women consuming a low folate diet followed by repletion with the current Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA).

Folate status response to controlled folate intake is affected by the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase 677C-->T polymorphism in young women.

This study was designed to evaluate the effect of the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) 677C-->T polymorphism on folate and homocysteine response in non-Hispanic women consuming a low folate diet followed by a diet providing the Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) for folate. Women (aged 20-30 y old) with either the TT (n = 19) or CC (n = 22) MTHFR 677C-->T genotype participated in a folate depletion-repletion study (7 wk, 115 microg dietary folate equivalents (DFE)/d; 7 wk, 400 microg DFE/d). Overall serum folate decreased (P < 0.

Consumption of folic acid-fortified bread improves folate status in women of reproductive age in Chile.

Since January 2000 the Chilean Ministry of Health has required the fortification of wheat flour with folic acid (FA) at a concentration of 2.2 mg FA/kg in order to reduce the risk of neural tube defects (NTD) in newborns. This policy was expected to result in a mean additional intake of approximately 400 microg FA/d.

Relationship of folate to colorectal and cervical cancer: review and recommendations for practitioners.

Evidence suggests that folate may play a role in cancer prevention. A plausible mechanism for prevention lies in the integral role that folate plays in deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) synthesis and methylation. DNA methylation most likely regulates gene expression.

Folic acid supplements and fortification affect the risk for neural tube defects, vascular disease and cancer: evolving science.

Folic acid supplements reduce the risk of neural tube defects and may be associated with reduced risk for vascular disease and cancer. Research data from both observational and controlled intervention studies provide strong support for the existing public health policies related to folic acid and neural tube defects. However, educational efforts to promote daily intake of folic acid supplements by women of reproductive age have not, in most cases, resulted in increased supplement use.

Folate catabolite excretion is responsive to changes in dietary folate intake in elderly women.

Background: The major route of folate turnover is by catabolic cleavage of the C9-N10 bond producing p-aminobenzoylglutamate (pABG) and its primary excretory form, p-acetamidobenzoylglutamate (ApABG). We hypothesize that total pABG (ApABG + pABG) excretion parallels both the mass of body folate pools from which these catabolites originate and the folate-status indicators.

Objective: The objective was to determine whether urinary folate catabolite excretion reflects body pool size and parallels the static and functional measures of folate status.

Folate: a key to optimizing health and reducing disease risk in the elderly.

Inadequate folate status is associated with an increased risk for chronic diseases that may have a negative impact on the health of the aging population. Folate, a water-soluble vitamin, includes naturally occurring food folate and synthetic folic acid in supplements and fortified foods. Inadequate folate status may result in hyperhomocysteinemia, a significant risk factor for atherosclerotic vascular disease, changes in DNA that may result in pro-carcinogenic effects and increased risk for cognitive dysfunction.

National survey beverage consumption data for children and adolescents indicate the need to encourage a shift toward more nutritive beverages.

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recently issued recommendations for 100% fruit juice consumption for children and adolescents. National survey data (1994-1996, 1998 Continuing Survey of Food Intakes by Individuals) were used to evaluate intake of 100% fruit juice for comparison with AAP recommendations. Mean daily intakes of 100% fruit juice were 0.

Vitamin B-12 status is inversely associated with plasma homocysteine in young women with C677T and/or A1298C methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase polymorphisms.

Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) polymorphisms may negatively influence one-carbon metabolism and increase health risks in women of reproductive age. The effect of MTHFR single nucleotide polymorphisms at bp 677 and/or 1298 and differences in folate and vitamin B-12 status on plasma homocysteine concentration in women of reproductive age (20-30 y; n = 186) were investigated. From the multivariate regression model, homozygotes (n = 23) for the C677T MTHFR variant had plasma homocysteine concentrations that were higher (P < 0.

Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase mutation (677C-->T) negatively influences plasma homocysteine response to marginal folate intake in elderly women.

Individuals who are homozygous for the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) 677C --> T mutation have depressed serum folate (SF) and elevated plasma total homocysteine (tHcy) concentrations, which may affect folate requirements and increase the risk for coronary artery disease. A controlled metabolic study (14 weeks) using a depletion/repletion protocol was performed in women (aged 60 to 85 years, N = 33) to provide age-specific data on the effects of the MTHFR mutation on SF and tHcy status. Subjects consumed a moderately folate-deplete diet (118 microg/d) for 7 weeks, followed by 7 weeks of folate repletion with 200 or 415 microg/d provided as two different treatments.