title: Whey protein isolate improves vitamin B12and folate status in elderly Australians with subclinical deficiency of vitamin B12.
abstract: Whey protein isolate (WPI) contains vitamin B12and folate. However, the efficacy of WPI as a bioavailable source of these vitamins in the elderly with low vitamin B12was not previously tested. We investigated the effects of WPI supplementation on vitamin B12and folate status in blood and measured changes in homocysteine (HCY), methylmalonic acid (MMA), and genome integrity biomarkers in elderly individuals with low vitamin B12status. The effect of WPI was compared to soy protein isolate (SPI).
  
  
  
  In this randomized controlled cross-over intervention trial, 56 subclinically vitamin B12-deficient participants received 50 g WPI or 50 g SPI as a control for 8 wk followed by 16-wk washout phase and then cross-over to alternative supplement for next 8 wk. Consumption of WPI resulted in significant increase in serum active B12(p < 0.0001) and serum folate (p = 0.0094). MMA, HCY, and nucleoplasmic bridges increased significantly after SPI intake but not after WPI (p = 0.052; p = 0.028; p = 0.0009, respectively).
  
  
  
  Results indicate that WPI consumption improves active B12and folate status. Unlike SPI, WPI consumption may prevent increase in MMA, HCY, and genome instability in older Australians with low vitamin B12status.
authors.affiliation: Genome Health Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation Health and Biosecurity, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.
authors.forename: Varinderpal S
authors.initials: VS
authors.lastname: Dhillon
authors.affiliation: Genome Health Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation Health and Biosecurity, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.
authors.forename: Dimitrios
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Zabaras
authors.affiliation: Genome Health Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation Health and Biosecurity, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.
authors.forename: Theodora
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Almond
authors.affiliation: Genome Health Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation Health and Biosecurity, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Cavuoto
authors.affiliation: Genome Health Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation Health and Biosecurity, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.
authors.forename: Genevieve
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: James-Martin
authors.affiliation: Genome Health Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation Health and Biosecurity, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Fenech
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001315:Australia; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D004249:DNA Damage / Q000187:drug effects; D004032:Diet; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D005260:Female; D005492:Folic Acid / Q000097:blood*; D006710:Homocysteine / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008764:Methylmalonic Acid / Q000097:blood; D008875:Middle Aged; D015596:Nutrition Assessment; D014805:Vitamin B 12 / Q000097:blood*; D014806:Vitamin B 12 Deficiency / Q000097:blood* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000067816:Whey Proteins / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D000067816:Whey Proteins; D006710:Homocysteine; D008764:Methylmalonic Acid; D005492:Folic Acid; D014805:Vitamin B 12
keywords: Cobalamin (Cbl); DNA damage biomarkers; Methylmalonic acid (MMA); Soy protein isolate (SPI); Whey protein isolate (WPI)