title: Dietary intake and biomarker status of folate in Swedish adults.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  National data on folate status are missing in Sweden, and regional data indicate folate insufficiency in up to more than 25% of the study populations. The objectives were to determine folate intake and status in the adult Swedish population as well as identifying dietary patterns associated with beneficial folate status.
  
  
  METHODS
  Folate intake was estimated using a web-based 4-d food record in adults aged 18-80 years (n = 1797). Folate status was measured as erythrocyte (n = 282) and plasma folate concentrations (n = 294). Factor analysis was used to derive a dietary pattern associated with a higher folate status.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Median folate intake was 246 µg/day (Q1= 196, Q3= 304, n = 1797) and for women of reproductive age 227 µg/day (Q1= 181, Q3= 282, n = 450). As dietary folate equivalents (DFE), median intake was 257 µg/day (Q1= 201, Q3= 323) and for women of reproductive age 239 µg/day (Q1= 185, Q3= 300). Low blood folate concentrations were found in 2% (erythrocyte concentrations <317 nmol/L) and 4% (plasma concentrations <6.8 nmol/L) of the participants, respectively. None of the women of reproductive age had erythrocyte folate concentrations associated with the lowest risk of neural tube defects. Dietary patterns associated with higher folate status were rich in vegetables, pulses and roots as well as cheese and alcoholic beverages, and low in meat.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Prevalence of low erythrocyte folate concentrations was low in this population, and estimated dietary intakes are well above average requirement. However, to obtain a folate status optimal for prevention of neural tube defects major dietary changes are required and folic acid supplements recommended prior to conception.
authors: Science Department, National Food Agency, Box 622, 751 26, Uppsala, Sweden. Veronica.Ohrvik@slv.se.
authors: Veronica
authors: http://orcid.org/0000-0003-1749-8493
authors: V
authors: Öhrvik
authors: Science Department, National Food Agency, Box 622, 751 26, Uppsala, Sweden.
authors: Eva Warensjö
authors: EW
authors: Lemming
authors: Science Department, National Food Agency, Box 622, 751 26, Uppsala, Sweden.
authors: Cecilia
authors: C
authors: Nälsén
authors: Science Department, National Food Agency, Box 622, 751 26, Uppsala, Sweden.
authors: Wulf
authors: W
authors: Becker
authors: Department of Medical Sciences, Uppsala University, Box 256, 751 05, Uppsala, Sweden.
authors: Peter
authors: P
authors: Ridefelt
authors: Science Department, National Food Agency, Box 622, 751 26, Uppsala, Sweden.
authors: Anna Karin
authors: AK
authors: Lindroos
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism; D004032:Diet / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000208:ethnology / Q000639:trends; D000072001:Diet, Healthy / Q000208:ethnology; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000378:metabolism; D005163:Factor Analysis, Statistical; D005260:Female; D005492:Folic Acid / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005494:Folic Acid Deficiency / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000208:ethnology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D039382:Maternal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena / Q000208:ethnology; D008875:Middle Aged; D009436:Neural Tube Defects / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000208:ethnology / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D009749:Nutrition Surveys; D009752:Nutritional Status / Q000208:ethnology; D010349:Patient Compliance / Q000208:ethnology; D011247:Pregnancy; D015995:Prevalence; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012306:Risk; D013548:Sweden / Q000453:epidemiology
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D005492:Folic Acid
keywords: Folate intake; Folate status; Food intake; Red blood cell folate concentrations; Riksmaten adults 2010–11; Swedish national dietary survey