title: Does a single vitamin B-supplementation induce functional vitamin B-deficiency?
abstract: In a pilot study we measured the effect of three different combinations of the vitamins B6, folate and B12 on the serum concentrations of homocysteine, cystathionine and methylmalonic acid in five healthy young men without hyperhomocysteinemia. The results indicate that there are still undescribed interactions between vitamin B6 and folate, suggesting that these two vitamins should be given together to avoid depletion of the one not given. With regard to the well known metabolic pathways of methionine and cysteine, this confirms the hypothesis that a combined supplementation with the vitamins B6 and folate (and B12) is superior to folate alone in order to lower homocysteine.
authors.affiliation: Geriatrische Klinik, Friedrich-Ebert-Krankenhaus, Neumünster, Germany.
authors.forename: H J
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Naurath
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Riezler
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Pütter
authors.forename: J B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Ubbink
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003540:Cystathionine / Q000097:blood; D003545:Cysteine / Q000378:metabolism; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D005492:Folic Acid / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008401:Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry; D006710:Homocysteine / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008715:Methionine / Q000378:metabolism; D008764:Methylmalonic Acid / Q000097:blood; D008875:Middle Aged; D008954:Models, Biological; D010865:Pilot Projects; D013997:Time Factors; D014805:Vitamin B 12 / Q000627:therapeutic use; D025101:Vitamin B 6 / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014803:Vitamin B Complex / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014804:Vitamin B Deficiency / Q000209:etiology*
chemical_list: D006710:Homocysteine; D014803:Vitamin B Complex; D003540:Cystathionine; D025101:Vitamin B 6; D008764:Methylmalonic Acid; D005492:Folic Acid; D008715:Methionine; D003545:Cysteine; D014805:Vitamin B 12