Folate and cobalamin synergistically decrease the risk of high plasma homocysteine in a nonsupplemented elderly institutionalized population.

Objective: Total plasma homocysteine (tHcy) has been associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease in the general population and elderly subjects are at high risk of elevated homocysteine because of an impaired vitamin status. The aim of the present study was to determine the independent and interactive association of adequate folate and cobalamin (intake and serum levels) with tHcy in elderly subjects who were not taking vitamin supplementation.

Design And Methods: Cross-sectional analysis of a sample of 140 elderly recruited from seven nursing homes in Asturias (Northern Spain).