Acute absorption of folic acid from a fortified low-fat spread.
OBJECTIVE
To explore the feasibility of low-fat spreads as vehicles for folic acid (FA) fortification by determining the acute absorption of FA from a fortified spread.


METHODS
Double blind, crossover study to test each of the following treatments administered at 1-weekly intervals: (A) 20 g low-fat (40%) spread fortified with 200 microg FA and a placebo tablet; (B) 20 g low-fat placebo spread and a 200 microg FA tablet; (C) 20 g low-fat placebo spread and a placebo tablet.


METHODS
A total of 13 male volunteers, aged 31.8+/-13.2 y.


METHODS
Plasma total folate concentrations, measured before and up to 10 h after each treatment (n=10 samples per treatment).


RESULTS
Plasma folate concentrations were significantly increased compared with baseline values 1 h after administration of the FA tablet, and 1.5 h after the FA spread, and remained significantly higher than the baseline values for up to 7 h after both treatments. The maximum plasma folate response (R(max)), corrected for baseline values and 'placebo response', was established between 1 and 3 h postprandially in response to both FA spread and FA tablet, and no significant difference in R(max) was found between the two treatments (13.4 vs 14.4 nmol/l, P=0.9). The acute absorption of FA from fortified spread relative to that from the tablet, calculated on the basis of area under the plasma folate response curve, was 67% (P=0.04).


CONCLUSIONS
The absorption of FA from fortified low-fat spread, although lower than from a tablet, is effective. These results suggest that low-fat spreads, typically associated with fat-soluble vitamin fortification, may also be considered feasible as vehicles for FA fortification.
D000328:Adult; D019540:Area Under Curve; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D018752:Diet, Fat-Restricted; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005492:Folic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000097:blood* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D005527:Food, Fortified; D006801:Humans; D007408:Intestinal Absorption; D008297:Male; D013607:Tablets
D013607:Tablets; D005492:Folic Acid