Daily Folate Intake Research Articles

Association between folate intake and radiographic progression, pain function scores in subjects with radiographic knee osteoarthritis: Data from the osteoarthritis initiative.

Folate has an important role in the functioning of the musculoskeletal system, including modulation of inflammation, immunity, cartilage regeneration, prevention of osteoporosis, and maintenance of muscle strength, but evidence on the association between folate intake and knee pain, functional scores, and radiographic progression in patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA) is still limited. Our population-based cohort was extracted from the osteoarthritis initiative (OAI), focusing on individuals with prevalent radiographic knee OA (with a Kellgren-Lawrence score ≥2). Folate consumption was determined using the food frequency questionnaire. Data regarding the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) scores and radiographic readings were collected over 48 months. We analyzed the compiled data using generalized additive mixed models. Our cohort consisted of 1472 OA patients (626 men and 846 women, mean [SD] age 62.35 [8.92]). At the 48-month follow-up, we observed a significant correlation between higher folate intake and a slower progression of knee pain and functional scores, as evidenced by a statistically significant decrease in the WOMAC total score, WOMAC pain subscale score, and WOMAC function/disability subscale score (p < .05). The fully adjusted models estimated a reduction of -0.028 points per 50 μg/1000 kcal of daily folate intake on the WOMAC pain subscale, -0.117 points on the WOMAC function subscale, and -0.160 points on the total WOMAC scale. Furthermore, our nonparametric fit analysis suggested that a higher intake of folate might decelerate the radiographic progression of OA. Stratified analyses indicated that an increase in folate consumption might particularly benefit men, older adults, overweight and obese individuals, and those with a higher dietary fiber intake. Higher folate intake is correlated with improved knee function and reduced pain in patients with knee OA and might deter the radiographic progression of OA. The benefits appear to be more pronounced in men, older adults, overweight and obese individuals, and those with a higher dietary fiber intake.

Is There a Relationship Between the Dietary Inflammatory Index and Clinical Attachment Loss in Patients with Periodontitis?

Objective The pathogenesis of periodontal diseases is partially driven by oxidative stress. However, studies on the relationship between periodontitis and the inflammatory load of diet are still insufficient. Therefore, this study aimed to examine the relationship between the diet’s inflammatory load and periodontitis and clinical attachment loss (CAL). Methods This cross-sectional study included 119 participants diagnosed with periodontitis according to the 1999 classification. The dietary inflammatory index (DII) was calculated using three-day food consumption records and divided into quartiles (Q1, Q2, and Q3). Body mass index (BMI) was calculated as weight and height (kg/m2). Clinical attachment loss (CAL) score was determined, and the patients were grouped with those CAL scores as 7 < CAL and ≥7 CAL. Results Of the 119 patients with periodontitis, aged 46.24 ± 12.84 years, 45.3% were found to have an anti-inflammatory diet profile (n = 54). When the daily energy and nutrient intake of individuals were examined, it was found that the intake of omega-3 fatty acids (p = 0.004), black tea (p = 0.021), and green pepper (p = 0.029) was higher in those with CAL < 7 compared to those with CAL ≥ 7. There was no relationship between the patients’ DII and CAL values. Daily energy, protein, fiber, vitamin A, vitamin E, folic acid, Fe, Zn, and Mg intake in patients with an anti-inflammatory diet in Q1 were higher than in Q2 and Q3 (p < 0.001). Conclusion This study found no relationship between DII levels and CAL scores. However, it was observed that periodontitis patients following an anti-inflammatory diet had higher intakes of omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins A, E, and C, as well as zinc and magnesium which are nutrients known to be effective against inflammation. These patients also had CAL scores below 7. Therefore, reducing the inflammatory load of the diet may prevent the development of periodontitis, and further research in this regard would be beneficial.

Linking the relationship between dietary folic acid intake and risk of osteoporosis among middle-aged and older people: A nationwide population-based study.

Among middle-aged and older people, balanced and nutritious diets are the foundation for maintaining bone health and preventing osteoporosis. This study is aimed at investigating the link between dietary folic acid intake and the risk of osteoporosis among middle-aged and older people. A total of 20,686 people from the National Health and Nutritional Examination Survey (NHANES) 2007-2010 are screened and included, and 5312 people aged ≥45 years with integral data are ultimately enrolled in evaluation. Demographics and dietary intake-related data are gathered and analyzed, and the odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) of each tertile category of dietary folic acid intake and each unit increase in folic acid are assessed via multivariate logistic regression models. On this basis, the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve is used to identify the optimal cutoff value of dietary folic acid intake for indicating the risk of osteoporosis. Of 5312 people with a mean age of 62.4 ± 11.0 years old, a total of 513 people with osteoporosis are screened, and the dietary folic acid intake amount of the osteoporosis group is significantly lower than that of the non-osteoporosis group (p < .001). The lowest tertile category is then used to act as a reference category, and a higher dietary folic acid intake amount is observed to be positively related to lower odds for risk of osteoporosis. This trend is also not changed in adjustments for combinations of different covariates (p all < .05). Based on this, a dietary folic acid intake of 475.5 μg/day is identified as an optimal cutoff value for revealing osteoporosis. Collectively, this nationwide population-based study reveals that a higher daily dietary folic acid intake has potential protective effects on osteoporosis in middle-aged and older people.

Ready-to-eat cereal consumption is associated with improved nutrient intakes and diet quality in Canadian adults and children across income levels.

Results from observational studies suggest ready-to-eat cereal (RTEC) consumption is associated with higher diet quality. In the United States, studies have shown that RTEC is an important contributor to nutrient intakes across income levels. However, it is unknown if this association varies by income level in the Canadian population. Given its affordability, RTEC may represent an important source of nutrients for lower-income individuals. This study evaluated the association of RTEC consumption with nutrient intakes and diet quality across household income levels in Canadian adults and children. Income and dietary data from 24 h dietary recalls were obtained from the 2015 Canadian Community Health Survey (CCHS)-Nutrition in 6,181 children (2-18 years) and 13,908 adults (19+ years). Diet quality was assessed with a modified Nutrient Rich Food Index (NRF) 9.3. Income levels were stratified into low, middle, and high based on family size, and data were analyzed by RTEC consumption and income level using multivariate linear regression adjusted for energy, age, and sex. Diet quality was greater in adult and child RTEC consumers across all household income levels. Children and adults consuming RTEC also had higher nutrient intakes, including shortfall nutrients such as calcium, dietary fiber, iron, magnesium, and vitamin D. RTEC provided <10% of energy intake, <4% of saturated fat intake, and <9% of total sugar intake across all ages and income levels, while also providing one-third of daily iron intake and at least 10% of daily intake of dietary fiber, thiamin, folate, and vitamin B6. RTEC consumption was associated with improved nutrient intakes and diet quality in adults and children across household income levels. Nutrient dense and affordable food choices, such as RTEC, may be a helpful strategy to improve the diet quality of Canadians, particularly those with a lower household income.

Association between dietary folate intake and bone mineral density in a diverse population: a cross-sectional study

BackgroundOsteoporosis is a major public health problem, yet the association between dietary folate intake and bone health has been rarely studied. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between dietary folate intake and bone mineral density (BMD) in the general population of the USA.MethodsUtilizing data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, dietary folate intake was gauged through 24-h dietary recall and BMD was determined via dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Multivariate linear regression models and generalized additive models were employed for correlation analysis.ResultsThe study incorporated 9839 participants (48.88% males, aged 20–85 years, mean age: 47.62 ± 16.22). The average dietary folate intake stood at 401.1 ± 207.9 μg/day. And the average total femur, femoral neck, trochanter, intertrochanter, and lumbar BMD were 0.98 ± 0.16 g/cm2, 0.84 ± 0.15 g/cm2, 0.73 ± 0.13 g/cm2, 1.16 ± 0.19 g/cm2, and 1.03 ± 0.15 g/cm2, respectively. The higher quartiles of dietary folate intake directly correlated with increased total femoral, femoral neck, intertrochanteric, and lumbar BMD (P for trend = 0.003, 0.016, < 0.001, and 0.033, respectively). A consistent positive association between folate intake and BMD across age groups was observed, with significant findings for individuals over 80 years and non-Hispanic whites. Physical activity level and serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels influenced the association, with an optimal daily folate intake of 528–569 µg recommended for postmenopausal women.ConclusionIn summary, our study reveals a significant positive association between dietary folate intake and BMD, across different age groups and particularly among individuals over 80 years old. Non-Hispanic whites benefit the most from increased folate intake. Physical activity level and serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels interact with this association. Screening and early intervention for osteoporosis may be essential for individuals with low dietary folate intake.

Correlation between Dietary Intake of Vitamins and Oral Health Behaviors: A Cross-Sectional Study.

This study aimed to investigate whether oral health behaviors were related to the dietary intake of vitamins. In this cross-sectional study, we included respondents of the 2016 national health and nutrition examination survey, and dental diseases from Hyogo Prefecture, Japan. Data on sociodemographic characteristics, findings of blood tests related to metabolic syndrome, dietary intake, oral health status, and behaviors were collected. Participants were divided into two groups based on their oral health behavior: the yes group (performed interdental cleaning or tongue brushing) and the no group (did not perform the behaviors). The study included 218 participants (male: 107, female: 111) aged 64.5 (range, 22-93) years. There were 133 (61.0%) and 85 (39.0%) participants in the yes and no groups, respectively. The daily intake of vitamins A, B2, B6, E, and K, folic acid, and niacin in the yes group was significantly higher than that in the no group. Oral health behavior correlated with the intake of vitamin B2 (p = 0.029), folic acid (p = 0.006), and vitamin K (p = 0.043) after adjusting for possible confounders. Oral health behavior (interdental cleaning or tongue brushing) correlated with the daily intake of vitamins B2, K, and folic acid.

Nutritional impact of excluding red meat from the Canadian diet

The objective of the study was to examine differences in nutrient intake between consumers and non-consumers of red meat and to assess nutritional adequacy of consumers relative to Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA) in Canada. Matching estimators were used to identify differences in nutrient intake between the two groups. Statistically significant differences were observed in nutrient intake between red meat consumers and non-consumers, including lower daily intake of protein, riboflavin, niacin, vitamin D, and zinc and a higher daily intake of dietary fiber, folate, and magnesium among Canadians who did not consume red meat. Further, red meat consumers and non-consumers had nutrient intakes below RDA for dietary energy, fiber, and calcium. While individuals who did not consume red meat were at increased risk of calcium, vitamin D, energy, and potassium inadequacy, those who consumed red meat were at increased risk of dietary fiber, vitamin A, and magnesium inadequacy.

Lactoferrin supplementation during pregnancy - a review of the literature and current recommendations.

Pregnancy is a period which requires special care and attention. Maintaining health during pregnancy helps to avoid birth related complications and is the best way of promoting a healthy birth. Besides a daily intake of folic acid, iron, iodine, vitamin D3 and A, calcium and polyunsaturated fatty-acids, as recommended by health agencies, supplementation of lactoferrin - a protein of multidirectional biological activity and proven safety of use - seems to be beneficial. A wide range of lactoferrin biological roles (including regulation of iron balance, modulation of immune responses, antimicrobial, antiviral, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory activity) may contribute to better pregnancy and birth related outcomes.

Preconception health status and associated disparities among rural, Midwestern women in the United States.

Little is known about the preconception/interconception health and behaviors of reproductive-age women in the rural Midwest of the United States. The purpose of this study was to quantify preconception/interconception health status and to identify disparities compared with statewide estimates. In this cross-sectional study, we collected data on 12 health conditions and behaviors that are risk factors for adverse maternal and infant health outcomes from nonpregnant women ages 18-45 years in rural northwestern Ohio. Statistical tests were used to identify associations between selected demographic characteristics and a subset of eight high-priority health measures (smoking, diabetes, heavy alcohol use, folic acid intake, normal weight, sufficient physical activity, and effective contraception use); all but physical activity could be compared with Ohio estimates derived from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System and Ohio Pregnancy Assessment Survey. Three hundred-fifteen women participated, with 98.4% reporting at least one high-priority risk factor. Statistically significant differences were identified among subpopulations related to smoking, folic acid, normal weight, sufficient physical activity, and effective contraception use. In addition, the proportion of participants reporting hypertension (P < 0.001), smoking (P < 0.001), abnormal weight (P=0.002), and lack of daily folic acid intake (P=0.006) were statistically significantly higher than expected based on statewide estimates. Women in the rural Midwest of the United States are at risk for poor health and pregnancy outcomes. Statewide estimates tracking preconception/interconception health status may obscure variation for at-risk groups, particularly in rural or underserved areas. These findings illustrate the need for interventions to advance preconception/interconception health and improve methods to capture and analyze data for rural women.

Food quality and nutritional status of school-going adolescents in the province of El Jadida in Morocco.

Dietary diversity and variety scores represent tools for measuring the overall quality of diets. In children, they are good indicators of their nutritional status and growth. The aim of this study was to assess the consumption and eating habits as well as the lifestyle of Moroccan adolescents attending school in the city of El Jadida. A sample of 463 children of both sexes, aged 9 to 17, attending four schools in the city of El Jadida was studied. Eating habits and information on socioeconomic level are assessed using questionnaires and weight and height were measured on participants. According to the dietary diversity score (DDS) classes, 2.4% of the children surveyed were with low DDS, 55.7% moderate and 41.9%, with high DDS. The mean DDS was 5.67 ± 1.03 in underweight children and 5.53 ± 1.5 in those with overweight (obesity included) and the food variety scores (DVS) were of 12.94±3.24 food items and 10.81±3.25 in the 2 groups respectively. In addition, data analyzes show that children from parents with a low level of education had higher averages of DDS and DVS (DDS: 5.54 ± 0.84; SVA: 10.65 ± 2.32) compared to those of parents with medium education level (DDS: 5.31±0.96; DVS: 9.72±2.62) or high level (DDS: 5.17±0.93; DVS: 9.36 ±2.42). In addition, children from parents of high economic level had a lower averages of DDS and DVS (DDS: 5.24 ± 0.88; DVS: 8.84 ± 2.10) compared to those of parents of low economic level (DDS: 5.36±1.00; DVS: 10.14±2.85). The sugary products were consumed by 56.3% of underweiht children, 75% of normal-weight children and 67% of overweight children (including obese). The estimated total energy intake (TEI) was higher than the Recommended Daily Allowances (RDA) in underweight 2933 Kcal/d and in overweight (including obese) children 3061.75 Kcal/d, while the mean daily intakes of folate, calcium, iron, potassium and zinc were lower than the (RDA). The food groups consumed by the majority of children were cereals (98.5%), fruits and vegetables (87.7%), and sweet products (69.8%) while oilseed products and fat were less consumed (9.7% and 7.8% respectively). The study data show that the adolescents diet were moderately diverse, little varied and poor in certainnutrients essential for their nutritional status and growth. The study draws attention to the need for parents to be aware ofthe benefits of improving the diet quality and weight status of adolescents.

Systematic Review and Critical Evaluation of Quality of Clinical Practice Guidelines on Nutrition in Pregnancy.

To report the quality and clinical heterogeneity of the published clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) on nutrition in pregnancy. MEDLINE, Embase, Scopus, and ISI Web of Science databases were searched. The following aspects related to nutrition in pregnancy were addressed: specific requirements during pregnancy, description of a balanced diet, weight gain, prevention of food-borne, nutrition in peculiar sub-groups of women, and maternal or perinatal outcomes. The assessment of the risk of bias and quality assessment of the included CPGs were performed using "The Appraisal of Guidelines for REsearch and Evaluation (AGREE II)" tool divided in six quality domains: scope and purpose, stakeholder involvement, rigor of development, clarity of presentation, applicability, editorial independence. Mean ± standard deviation (SD) was used to summarize the scores across all the guidelines per domain. The quality of each guideline was computed using the scoring system proposed by Amer et al. A cut-off of &gt;60% was sued to define a CGP as recommended. Eighteen CPGs were included. There was a substantial heterogeneity in the recommended dose for vitamins, folic acid, and micronutrient intake during pregnancy among the different published CPGs. 27.8% (5/18) of the CPGs recommended a daily intake of folic acid of 200 mcg, 38.8% (7/18) 400 mcg, 16.7% (3/18) 600 mcg while the remaining CPGs suggested dose between 400 and 600-800 mc per day. Adequate maternal hydration was advocated in the large majority of included CPGs, but a specific amount of water intake was not reported in 83.3% (15/18) cases. There was also significant heterogeneity in various other aspects of nutrition recommendation among the different CPGs, including gestational weight gain (55.5%), prevention of food-borne diseases in pregnancy (72.2%), nutrition in particular groups of pregnant women (83.3%), maternal and perinatal outcomes (72.2%). The AGREE II standardized domain scores for the first overall assessment (OA1) had a mean of 65% but only half scored more than 60%. The published CPGs on nutrition in pregnancy show an overall good methodology, but also a substantial heterogeneity as regard as different major aspects on nutrition in pregnancy.

Dietary intake of folate and the frequency of its deficiency in children with type 1 diabetes mellitus and healthy children

Adequate folate intake is essential for a child’s growth. There is lack of information about the prevalence of this nutrient deficiency in the Ukrainian population, including children. The aim of the study was to evaluate the dietary intake of folate and determine the frequency of folate deficiency in children with Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1D) and healthy children. Determination of folate in serum was performed by ELISA. Folate level &lt;3 ng/ml was diagnosed as a folate deficiency. Among all observed children the folate deficiency was diagnosed in 23 (32.9%): in 6 (17.1%) patients with T1D and in 17 (48.6%) healthy children (P ≤ 0.01). The mean level of serum folate in patients with T1D was (5.09 ± 2.16) ng/ml and (3.72 ± 1.87) ng/ml in healthy children (P ≤ 0.01). The average daily intake of folate with food was (138.68 ± 70.37) µg, without difference between T1D (12.00 ± 3.51 yr.) and healthy groups (10.83 ± 3.24 yr.), and it was more than two times lower than age requirements (300 µg/day). However, it was self-reported that 15 (48.9%) children of T1D group received vitamin supplementation one time in six months, while in healthy children only 6 (17.1%) children received vitamins (P ≤ 0.01). In conclusion, the frequency of folate deficiency is high in the pediatric population. Nutrition does not provide the necessary intake of folate, which indicates the need for additional folate supplementation. Keywords: children., deficiency, diabetes mellitus, dietary intake, folate

Spina bifida: a rare clinical image

Spina bifida is an uncommon neural tube disease (NTD) that affects about one in every 1000 births in Europe. These defects are caused by a teratogenic process that results in the embryonic neural tube´s failure to close and aberrant differentiation. Spina bifida occulta, meningocele, myelomeningocele, encephalocele, anencephaly, and dermal sinus are the most common neural tube defects. It occurs within the first 25 days of pregnancy. Although the disease cannot be cured, new medical interventions have allowed many people with spina bifida to live to a ripe old age with a high quality of life. However, long-term monitoring is essential. Women from lower socioeconomic backgrounds are more likely to be affected. A daily intake of folic acid two months prior to conception and two months after conception can prevent approximately 70% of spina bifida. Prenatal diagnosis and terminations of pregnancies, not primary prevention, helped spina bifida become an uncommon condition. Here, we report a case of a one-day-old male neonate who was born at full term and had respiratory distress and a congenital abnormality. A complete local and systemic examination was performed, and meningocele, a severe form of spina bifida, was diagnosed. The patient was referred to a neurosurgeon and was advised an ultrasound abdomen and an magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) spine, but neither of these tests were performed because the patient was transferred to another hospital for treatment.

OR71. The relationship between daily intake of folic acid, vitamin B6, and vitamin B12 and ankle brachial index peripheral artery disease patients in Mataram

Abstract Aims The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between intake levels of folic acid, vitamin B6, and vitamin B12 with the value of the Ankle Brachial Index (ABI) in patients with peripheral artery disease in Mataram City. Methods and Results This study is a cross sectional study conducted at Siti Hajar Islamic Hospital in Mataram. The sample was patients with peripheral artery disease with an ABI value less than 0.90. The number of research samples was 52 subjects. Data Folic acid, vitamin B6, and vitamin B12 daily intake were collected using the 24-hours food recall method. The sampling technique used consecutive sampling method. Data analysis used the Spearman correlation test. The average daily intake of folic acid, vitamin B6, and vitamin B12 in the study sample wass less than 50% of the recommended daily nutritional adequacy rate for Indonesians. The average ABI in the sample was 0.79. The results of the Spearman correlation test between ABI and folic acid intake showed p value = 0.020 and r = 0.322. The results of the Spearman correlation test between the ABI and vitamin B6 intake showed p value = 0.167. The results of the Spearman correlation test between ABI and vitamin B12 intake showed p value = 0.800. Conclusion There is a significant relationship between ABI and folic acid intake. There is an insignificant relationship between ABI and vitamin B6 and vitamin B12.

Influencing factors of insufficient and excessive folate intake in early pregnancy in Chengdu in 2017

To investigate the folate intake level of early pregnant women and its influencing factors in Chengdu. The healthy singleton pregnant women with 8-14 weeks of pregnancy in an obstetrical clinic of maternal-and-child health care institution in Chengdu in 2017 were selected as the object of the study. The basic information of pregnant women was collected by questionnaire survey, and the dietary intake of all kinds of food in early pregnancy was collected by 3-day 24-hour dietary recall method, and the average daily intake of folate was calculated according to China Food Composition(2018). A self-designed questionnaire was used to collect the use of folic acid supplements in pregnant women in the past one month, and the average daily intake of folic acid supplements was calculated. According to the Chinese Dietary Reference Intakes(2013), the folate intake &lt;600 μg DFE/d was defined as insufficient, and folic acid supplements intake ≥1000 μg/d was defined as excessive. The influencing factors of folate intake were analyzed by binary Logistic regression model. A total of 1579 valid samples were included. The average folate intake of early pregnant women in Chengdu was 865.8(778.6, 1461.0) μg DFE/d, the average dietary folate intake was 145.4(101.9, 200.7) μg/d, and the average folic acid supplements intake was 400.0(400.0, 800.0) μg/d. The rate of insufficient intake of folate in early pregnancy was 12.1%, and the rate of excessive intake of folic acid supplements was 13.0%. Compared with the primiparous group, the risk of insufficient folate intake was higher in the multiparous group(OR=1.708, 95%CI 1.175-2.482). Compared with the low income group, risk of insufficient folate intake in the medium and high income group was lower(OR=0.660, 95%CI 0.477-0.913); taking folic acid supplements before pregnancy has a lower risk of overdose of folic acid than the non-taking group(OR=0.594, 95%CI 0.423-0.835). The phenomenon of insufficient intake of total folate and excessive intake of folic acid supplements coexists among women in early pregnancy in Chengdu, and the rational use of folic acid supplements is worthy of attention.

Periconceptional nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug use, folic acid intake, and the risk of spina bifida.

Use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) during pregnancy may increase risk for neural tube defects (NTDs), including spina bifida. Folic acid intake can prevent NTDs, but it is not known whether it modifies any risks associated with NSAID use. To assess the impact of periconceptional NSAID use on the risk of spina bifida overall and stratified by folic acid intake. We analyzed 1998-2015 data from the Slone Epidemiology Center Birth Defects Study, a multi-site, case-control study. Mothers were interviewed to identify sociodemographic factors, behaviors, and exposures during pregnancy. Periconceptional NSAID use was defined as use of aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen, or COX2 inhibitors within the month before or after the last menstrual period. Logistic regression models were used to estimate adjusted odds ratios (aORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for NSAID use, adjusted for study center and race/ethnicity stratified by average daily folic acid intake above ("high FA") or below ("low FA") 400 mcg/day. We compared mothers of 267 infants with spina bifida to mothers of 6,233 nonmalformed controls. Among control mothers, 20% used NSAIDS periconceptionally (16% ibuprofen, 4% aspirin, 3% naproxen, and <1% COX-2 inhibitors). For any NSAID use, the aORs among low FA and high FA women were 1.70 (95% CI [1.13, 2.57]) and 1.09 (95% CI [0.69, 1.71]), respectively. We observed a small increase in the risk for spina bifida among infants born to women who used NSAIDs periconceptionally, but this risk was limited to those who had inadequate folic acid intake.

Polyphenol-Rich Aronia melanocarpa Juice Consumption Affects LINE-1 DNA Methylation in Peripheral Blood Leukocytes in Dyslipidemic Women.

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is associated with alterations in DNA methylation and polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) profile, both modulated by dietary polyphenols. The present parallel, placebo-controlled study (part of the original clinical study registered as NCT02800967 at www.clinicaltrials.gov) aimed to determine the impact of 4-week daily consumption of polyphenol-rich Aronia melanocarpa juice (AMJ) treatment on Long Interspersed Nucleotide Element-1 (LINE-1) methylation in peripheral blood leukocytes and on plasma PUFAs, in subjects (n = 54, age range of 40.2 ± 6.7 years) at moderate CVD risk, including an increased body mass index, central obesity, high normal blood pressure, and/or dyslipidemia. The goal was also to examine whether factors known to affect DNA methylation (folate intake levels, MTHFR C677T gene variant, anthropometric and metabolic parameters) modulated the LINE-1 methylation levels upon the consumption of polyphenol-rich aronia juice. Experimental analysis of LINE-1 methylation was done by MethyLight method. MTHFR C677T genotypes were determined by the polymerase chain reaction–restriction fragment length polymorphism method, and folate intake was assessed by processing the data from the food frequency questionnaire. PUFAs were measured by gas–liquid chromatography, and serum lipid profile was determined by using Roche Diagnostics kits. The statistical analyses were performed using Statistica software package. In the comparison after vs. before the treatment period, in dyslipidemic women (n = 22), we observed significant decreases in LINE-1 methylation levels (97.54 ± 1.50 vs. 98.39 ± 0.86%, respectively; P = 0.01) and arachidonic acid/eicosapentaenoic acid ratio [29.17 ± 15.21 vs. 38.42 (25.96–89.58), respectively; P = 0.02]. The change (after vs. before treatment) in LINE-1 methylation directly correlated with the presence of MTHFR 677T allele, average daily folate intake, and the change in serum low-density lipoprotein cholesterol but inversely correlated with the change in serum triacylglycerols (R = 0.72, R2 = 0.52, adjusted R2 = 0.36, P = 0.03). The current results imply potential cardioprotective effects of habitual polyphenol-rich aronia juice consumption achieved through the modifications of DNA methylation pattern and PUFAs in subjects at CVD risk, which should be further confirmed. Hence, the precision nutrition-driven modulations of both DNA methylation and PUFA profile may become targets for new approaches in the prevention of CVD.

Assessment of Health Claims Related to Folic Acid in Food Supplements for Pregnant Women According to the European Regulation.

Pregnant women are a vulnerable group with increased nutritional requirements. The daily intake of folic acid, a crucial vitamin for embryonic development, must be reinforced through supplementation, as sometimes diets are not well equilibrated. As consumers increasingly rely on food supplements, it is vital to properly inform them about the health benefits provided by supplements’ consumption to ensure their safe use. The objective of this work was to assess the compliance level of health claims related to folic acid in food supplements commercialized in Spain according to the European regulation. Authors performed (1) a review of health-related claims approved for folic acid in Europe, (2) a market research of food supplements commercialized in Spain with those claims, and (3) a selection of food supplements for chemical analysis in the lab to assess these claims. The results showed that nine health-related claims are currently approved for folic acid in Europe. The analytical results for folic acid content in the selected samples were consistent with the declared values and within the tolerance ranges established in the European Guidance document. All samples included accurate dosages and met the legal requirements (European Regulations 1924/2006, 432/2012, 1169/2011) for all approved claims for folic acid.

The Effect of Daily Intake of Selenium, Vitamin E and Folic Acid on Sperm Parameters in Males with Idiopathic Infertility: A Single-Blind Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial.

BackgroundMale infertility may originate from a wide spectrum of conditions while in 30-40 percent of cases, no signifi- cant reason can be identified. Thereby, it is recognized as male idiopathic infertility. This study was undertaken to investigate the effect of daily intake of selenium, vitamin E and folic acid on sperm parameters in males with idiopathic infertility.Materials and MethodsSeventy infertile men were selected to participate in this single-blind, randomized con- trolled clinical trial using convenience sampling. They were equally divided into two groups via permuted block randomization method. The intervention group received selenium tablet (200 µg per day, oral), vitamin E capsule (400 IU per day, oral) and folic acid tablet (5 mg per day, oral).The placebo group received matching placebo for three months. Semen volume, total sperm motility, sperm concentration, progressive sperm motility, normal sperm morphology, sperm motility index (SMI) and functional sperm concentration (FSC) were assessed by sperm quality analyzer-v (SQAV) before and after the intervention. Paired t test, and independent t test were used to compare the results within and between the groups, respectively. The IBM SPSS V.16.005 was used for data analysis. A P<0.05 was considered statistically significant.ResultsAfter three months, according to within-group analysis, a significant difference was found in mean SMI (P=0.007) and FSC (P=0.001) in the intervention group. According to between-group analysis, no significant difference was found in mean semen volume (P=0.610), sperm concentration (P=0.126), total sperm motility (P=0.765), progres- sive sperm motility (P=0.767), normal sperm morph (P=0.403), SMI (P=0.556) or FSC (P=0.706) between the groups.ConclusionConsumption of selenium, vitamin E and folic acid in infertile men with asthenozoospermia was not effective (Registration number: IRCT2017012432153N1).

Maternal folic acid supplementation mediates the associations between maternal socioeconomic status and congenital heart diseases in offspring

Low maternal socioeconomic status (SES) is considered as a risk factor of congenital heart diseases (CHDs) in offspring. However, the pathways underpinning the SES-CHDs associations are unclear. We assessed if first trimester maternal folic acid supplementation (FAS) is a mediator of the SES-CHDs associations.This case-control study included 8379 CHD cases and 6918 CHD-free controls from 40 participating centers in Guangdong, Southern China, 2004–2016. All fetuses were screened for CHDs using ultrasound and cases were confirmed by echocardiogram. We collected SES and FAS information during face-to-face interview by obstetricians using a structured questionnaire. Low SES was defined as education attainment <12 years, household individual income <3000 Chinese Yuan/person/month or unemployment. FAS referred to at least 0.4 mg of daily folic acid intake over 5 days/week continuously. We used causal mediation analysis to estimate the direct, indirect and proportion mediated by FAS on the SES-CHDs associations adjusted for confounders.Both low maternal income and education were significantly associated with increased risks of CHDs and lower prevalence of FAS. Low maternal FAS prevalence mediated 10% [95%CI:5%,13%] and 3% [95%CI:1%,5%] of the maternal low income-CHDs and the maternal low education-CHDs associations, respectively. In addition, FAS mediated the highest proportion of the associations between income and multiple critical CHDs [46.9%, 95%CI:24.7%,77%] and conotruncal defects [31.5%, 95%CI:17.1%,52.0%], respectively.Maternal FAS partially mediated the SES-CHDs associations, especially among the most critical and common CHDs. Promoting FAS in low SES women of childbearing age may be a feasible intervention to help prevent CHDs.