Dietary sources and intakes of folates and vitamin B12 in the Spanish population: Findings from the ANIBES study.

Teresa Partearroyo,Javier Aranceta-Bartrina,Ángel Gil,María De Lourdes Samaniego-Vaesken,Lluis Serra-Majem,Marcela González-Gross,Gregorio Varela-Moreiras,Josune Olza,Rosa M Ortega,Emma Ruiz,Manuel Portero-Otin

doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0189230

Abstract

BackgroundFolates and vitamin B12 are key nutrients in one-carbon metabolism and related diseases. Updated and plausible information on population intakes and their major dietary sources is scarce and urgently needed in Spain in order to increase the knowledge that can lead as previous step to prevention by fortification and supplementation policies.AimsThe present study aims to evaluate main dietary folate and vitamin B12 sources and intakes in the Spanish population.Materials and methodsResults were derived from the ANIBES cross-sectional study using a nationally representative sample of the Spanish population (9–75 years, n = 2,009).ResultsFood groups with the highest mean proportional contribution to total folate intakes in both males and females were vegetables (21.7–24.9%) and cereals (10.7–11.2%), while meat and meat products (26.4%) and milk and dairy products (27.3%) were for B12. Total median folate and B12 intakes amongst women were 156.3 μg/d and 4.0 μg/d while for men were 163.6 μg/d and 4.5 μg/d, respectively. In all age groups, vitamin intakes were significantly higher in plausible than in non-plausible energy reporters.ConclusionA limited number of participants had adequate folate intakes, whereas vitamin B12 intakes were adequate for practically the entire population. There is a clear need for improving folates intake in the Spanish population.

Highlights

Folic acid and vitamin B12 are two metabolically and clinically linked vitamins, which share some key functions related to the one-carbon metabolism [1]
Other new functions are the wellestablished regulation of homocysteine concentrations [1], the prevention or promotion of colorectal cancer depending on timeframe [4] and the maintenance or improvement of cognitive function in seniors [5]
The most well-known adverse effect of supplementation and food fortification with folic acid (FA) is the masking of the diagnosis of vitamin B12 deficiency, because megaloblastic anaemia caused by cobalamin deficiency can be reversed, unlike the potential detrimental long-term neurological effects [11,12,13]

Summary

Introduction

Folic acid and vitamin B12 are two metabolically and clinically linked vitamins, which share some key functions related to the one-carbon metabolism [1]. Since 1940, folic acid (FA) has been used for the prevention and treatment of macrocytic or megaloblastic anaemia [2]. Vitamin B12, known as cobalamin is an essential molecule for humans. It acts as a cofactor in one-carbon transfers through methylation and molecular rearrangement. The most well-known adverse effect of supplementation and food fortification with FA is the masking of the diagnosis of vitamin B12 deficiency, because megaloblastic anaemia caused by cobalamin deficiency can be reversed, unlike the potential detrimental long-term neurological effects [11,12,13]. Updated and plausible information on population intakes and their major dietary sources is scarce and urgently needed in Spain in order to increase the knowledge that can lead as previous step to prevention by fortification and supplementation policies

Results

Discussion

Conclusion