Examination of circulating folate levels as a reflection of folate intakes among older adult supplement users and nonusers in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2003-2004.
High intakes of folic acid and/or elevated blood folate concentrations have been associated with negative health outcomes; thus, it is critical to identify those at greatest risk of such exposures. The goal of this research was to describe folate intakes (folic acid [μg], folate [μg], and total folate [dietary folate equivalent] from food) and identify people 45 years or older in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2003-2004 at risk of exposure to elevated serum folate concentrations (≥21.8 ng/mL [49.4 nmol/L]) when stratified by race or ethnicity and supplement use within sex. Black men consumed a lower mean food folate and exhibited lower red blood cell folate concentrations when compared to those of white or Mexican-American men (P<0.01 and P<0.01 for both). Black women consumed a lower food folate than Mexican-American women (P<0.01), less total folate (dietary folate equivalent) than white women (P<0.01), and had lower red blood cell folate concentrations than white women (P<0.01). Multivariate odds of elevated serum folate levels increased with age in men (P<0.001) and women (P=0.01). All white subjects and all supplement users (all P<0.001) were more likely to have elevated folate concentrations, while smoking reduced the odds of such exposures in women (P<0.001) and men (P=0.04). These findings highlight the need to understand the impact of chronic exposure to elevated folate intakes, especially among white subjects with increasing age and who use supplements.
Department of Clinical Nutrition, Rush University Medical Center, 1700 W. Van Buren St, Suite 425, Chicago, IL 60612, USA. Cassandra_Vanderwall@Rush.edu
Cassandra M
CM
Vanderwall
Christy C
CC
Tangney
Mary J
MJ
Kwasny
Kristin A
KA
Gustashaw
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D044383:Black People; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000737:chemistry; D005260:Female; D005492:Folic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000097:blood*; D005527:Food, Fortified; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D017058:Mexican Americans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009749:Nutrition Surveys / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D009751:Nutritional Requirements; D018570:Risk Assessment; D014481:United States; D044465:White People; D001741:Black or African American
D005492:Folic Acid