Fructose Malabsorption Is Associated with Lower Plasma Folic Acid Concentrations in Middle-Aged Subjects

Abstract

Fructose malabsorption (1)(2), which is frequently seen in the general population, is characterized by the inability to absorb fructose efficiently. As a consequence, fructose reaches the colon where it is broken down by bacteria to short-chain fatty acids, CO2, and H2. Bloating, cramps, osmotic diarrhea, and other symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome are the consequence. It is believed that up to 36% of the European population has fructose malabsorption in a more or less severe form, and approximately one-half of affected individuals are symptomatic (3). We recently found that fructose malabsorption is associated with early signs of mental depression (4). Because folic acid deficiency may contribute to the development of mental depression (5), we examined folic acid concentrations in subjects with fructose malabsorption. We studied 73 otherwise healthy adults (47 women, 26 men), ages 40–81 years (mean 52.0 years; SD, 9.1 years), who visited physicians’ offices for a medical health check-up. None of the patients showed signs of inflammatory bowel disease or any other chronic or …