scholarly journals Plasma metabolite profiles in healthy women differ after intervention with supplemental folic acid v. folate-rich foods

2018 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohammed E. Hefni ◽  
Cornelia M. Witthöft ◽  
Ali A. Moazzami
Keyword(s):  
Folic Acid ◽  
Folic Acid Supplementation ◽  
Folate Intake ◽  
Plasma Metabolites ◽  
Folic Acid Supplement ◽  
Significance Level ◽  
Healthy Women ◽  
Acid Supplement ◽  
Public Health Authorities ◽  
One Carbon Metabolism

AbstractPublic health authorities recommend all fertile women to increase their folate intake to 400 µg/d by eating folate-rich foods or by taking a folic acid supplement to protect against neural tube defects. In a previous study it was shown that folate-rich foods improved folate blood status as effectively as folic acid supplementation. The aim of the present study was to investigate, using NMR metabolomics, the effects of an intervention with a synthetic folic acid supplement v. native food folate on the profile of plasma metabolites. Healthy women with normal folate status received, in parallel, 500 µg/d synthetic folic acid from a supplement (n 18), 250 µg/d folate from intervention foods (n 19), or no additional folate (0 µg/d) through a portion of apple juice (n 20). The metabolic profile of plasma was measured using 1H-NMR in fasted blood drawn at baseline and after 12 weeks of intervention. Metabolic differences between the groups at baseline and after intervention were assessed using a univariate statistical approach (P ≤ 0·001, Bonferroni-adjusted significance level). At baseline, the groups showed no significant differences in measured metabolite concentrations. After intervention, eight metabolites, of which six (glycine, choline, betaine, formate, histidine and threonine) are related to one-carbon metabolism, were identified as discriminative metabolites. The present study suggests that different folate forms (synthetic v. natural) may affect related one-carbon metabolites differently.

scholarly journals Epidemiology and (Patho)Physiology of Folic Acid Supplement Use in Obese Women before and during Pregnancy

Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 331
Author(s):  
Melissa van der Windt ◽  
Sam Schoenmakers ◽  
Bas van Rijn ◽  
Sander Galjaard ◽  
Régine Steegers-Theunissen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Folic Acid ◽  
Scientific Evidence ◽  
Folate Deficiency ◽  
Folate Intake ◽  
Low Grade ◽  
Obese Women ◽  
Folic Acid Supplement ◽  
Physiological Uptake ◽  
Supplement Use ◽  
Acid Supplement

Preconception folic acid supplement use is a well-known method of primary prevention of neural tube defects (NTDs). Obese women are at a higher risk for having a child with a NTD. As different international recommendations on folic acid supplement use for obese women before and during pregnancy exist, this narrative review provides an overview of epidemiology of folate deficiency in obese (pre)pregnant women, elaborates on potential mechanisms underlying folate deficiency, and discusses considerations for the usage of higher doses of folic acid supplements. Women with obesity more often suffer from an absolute folate deficiency, as they are less compliant to periconceptional folic acid supplement use recommendations. In addition, their dietary folate intake is limited due to an unbalanced diet (relative malnutrition). The association of obesity and NTDs also seems to be independent of folate intake, with studies suggesting an increased need of folate (relative deficiency) due to derangements involved in other pathways. The relative folate deficiency, as a result of an increased metabolic need for folate in obese women, can be due to: (1) low-grade chronic inflammation (2) insulin resistance, (3) inositol, and (4) dysbiotic gut microbiome, which plays a role in folate production and uptake. In all these pathways, the folate-dependent one-carbon metabolism is involved. In conclusion, scientific evidence of the involvement of several folate-related pathways implies to increase the recommended folic acid supplementation in obese women. However, the physiological uptake of synthetic folic acid is limited and side-effects of unmetabolized folic acid in mothers and offspring, in particular variations in epigenetic (re)programming with long-term health effects, cannot be excluded. Therefore, we emphasize on the urgent need for further research and preconception personalized counseling on folate status, lifestyle, and medical conditions.

scholarly journals Preconceptional folic acid supplement use in Lebanon

2009 ◽  
Vol 12 (5) ◽  
pp. 687-692 ◽  
Author(s):  
H Tamim ◽  
G Harrison ◽  
M Atoui ◽  
G Mumtaz ◽  
F El-Kak ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Folic Acid ◽  
Economic Status ◽  
National Level ◽  
Folic Acid Supplementation ◽  
Folic Acid Supplement ◽  
Awareness Campaigns ◽  
Supplement Use ◽  
Acid Supplement ◽  
Trained Personnel ◽  
History Of

AbstractObjectiveThe objective of the present study was to assess the prevalence and determinants of preconceptional folic acid supplement use among pregnant women in Lebanon.Design/setting/subjectsThe study was a descriptive epidemiological study. Analysis was performed on 5280 deliveries admitted to twelve member hospitals of the National Collaborative Perinatal Neonatal Network during the period September 2003–January 2005. Information on folic acid intake and maternal and neonatal characteristics were obtained from obstetric charts along with direct interviews performed by trained personnel. Logistic regression was performed to determine the predictors of preconceptional folic acid use.ResultsThe overall use of preconceptional folic acid supplementation was 14·0 % (18·6 % in urban hospitals v. 2·7 % in rural hospitals). Higher socio-economic status, lower parity and having a history of previous spontaneous abortions were significantly associated with preconceptional folic acid use.ConclusionOur study shows that Lebanon currently has a low rate of preconceptional folic acid supplement use. Intervention through the means of awareness campaigns needs to be implemented on a national level.

scholarly journals Maternal Folic Acid Supplementation, Dietary Folate Intake and Low Birth Weight: A Birth Cohort Study

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
LiPing Yang ◽  
Wenjuan Wang ◽  
Baohong Mao ◽  
Jie Qiu ◽  
Huaqi Guo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Folic Acid ◽  
Folic Acid Supplementation ◽  
Folate Intake ◽  
Care Hospital ◽  
Folic Acid Supplement ◽  
Dietary Folate ◽  
Acid Supplementation ◽  
Dietary Folate Intake ◽  
Reduced Risk ◽  
Joint Associations

Abstract ObjectivesTo investigate the independent and collective effects of maternal folic acid supplementation or dietary folate intake upon the risk of low birth weight (LBW), and to further comprehensively examine the joint associations of folic acid supplementation and dietary folate intake with LBW by various clinical subtypes.DesignParticipants were recruited in Gansu Provincial Maternity and Child Care Hospital. A standardized and structured questionnaire was distributed to collect demographic factors, reproductive and medical history, occupational and residential history, physical activity and diet. Data on pregnancy-related complications and birth outcomes were extracted from medical records. Unconditional logistic regression models were used to estimate odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (95%CI) for single and joint associations of folic acid supplementation and dietary folate intake with LBW. SettingA birth cohort data analysis using the 2010–2012 Gansu Provincial Maternity and Child Care Hospital in Lanzhou, China.Participants9231 pregnant women and their children were enrolled in the study. ResultsCompared to non-users, folic acid supplementation was associated with a reduced risk of LBW (OR: 0.80, 95%CI: 0.66-0.97), and the reduced risk was mainly seen for term-LBW (OR: 0.59, 95%CI: 0.41-0.85), and multiparous-LBW (OR: 0.72, 95%CI: 0.54-0.94). For dietary folate intake, there were no significant associations with LBW, and there was no interaction of folic acid supplement and dietary folate intake on LBW.ConclusionsOur study results indicated that folic acid supplementation was associated with a reduced risk of LBW, and there was not interaction of folic acid supplement and dietary folate intake on LBW.

scholarly journals Dietary Folate Intake and Folic Acid Supplements among Pregnant Women from Southern Italy: Evidence from the “Mamma & Bambino” Cohort

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (2) ◽  
pp. 638 ◽  
Author(s):  
Martina Barchitta ◽  
Andrea Maugeri ◽  
Roberta Magnano San Lio ◽  
Giuliana Favara ◽  
Claudia La Mastra ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Folic Acid ◽  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Neonatal Outcomes ◽  
Folate Intake ◽  
Folic Acid Supplement ◽  
Dietary Folate ◽  
Supplement Use ◽  
Acid Supplement ◽  
Folic Acid Supplements ◽  
Dietary Folate Intake

Folate requirement among women who plan to become pregnant should be raised to 600 μg/day during the periconceptional period. To meet this need, several countries began to promote the use of folic acid supplements before and during pregnancy. Here, we investigated prevalence and determinants of dietary folate intake and folic acid supplement use among 397 pregnant women (aged 15–50 years old, median = 37 years old). We also investigated their effects on neonatal outcomes in a subgroup of women who completed pregnancy. For doing that, we used data from the “Mamma & Bambino” project, an ongoing mother-child cohort settled in Catania (Italy). Inadequate folate intake was evaluated using a Food Frequency Questionnaire and defined as an intake < 600 μg/day. Women were also classified as non-users (i.e., women who did not use folic acid supplements), insufficient users (i.e., women who did not take folic acid supplements as recommended), and recommended users of folic acid supplements. Neonatal outcomes of interest were preterm birth (PTB) and small for gestational age (SGA). Nearly 65% of women (n = 257) reported inadequate folate intake, while 74.8% and 22.4% were respectively classified as insufficient or recommended users of supplements. We demonstrated higher odds of inadequate folate intake among smoking women (OR = 1.457; 95%CI = 1.046–2.030; p = 0.026), those who followed dietary restrictions (OR = 2.180; 95%CI = 1.085–4.378; p = 0.029), and those with low adherence to the Mediterranean Diet (OR = 3.194; 95%CI = 1.958–5.210; p < 0.001). In a subsample of 282 women who completed pregnancy, we also noted a higher percentage of SGA among those with inadequate folate intake (p < 0.001). Among 257 women with inadequate folate intake, those with low educational level were more likely to not take folic acid supplements than their more educated counterpart (OR = 5.574; 95%CI = 1.487–21.435; p = 0.012). In a subsample of 184 women with inadequate folate intake and complete pregnancy, we observed a higher proportion of SGA newborns among women who did not take supplement before pregnancy and those who did not take at all (p = 0.009). We also noted that the proportion of PTB was higher among non-users and insufficient users of folic acid supplements, but difference was not statistically significant. Our study underlined the need for improving the adherence of pregnant women with recommendations for dietary folate intake and supplement use. Although we proposed a protective effect of folic acid supplement use on risk of SGA, further research is encouraged to corroborate our findings and to investigate other factors involved.

scholarly journals Preconception Dietary Folate Intake and Risk of Spontaneous Abortion

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. 771-771
Author(s):  
Anne Sofie Laursen ◽  
Elizabeth E Hatch ◽  
Lauren A Wise ◽  
Kenneth J Rothman ◽  
Henrik T Sørensen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Folic Acid ◽  
Alcohol Intake ◽  
Fetal Loss ◽  
Study Entry ◽  
Folate Intake ◽  
Folic Acid Supplement ◽  
Dietary Folate ◽  
Supplement Use ◽  
Acid Supplement ◽  
Dietary Folate Intake

Abstract Objectives Previous studies suggest a beneficial effect of supplemental folic acid use and dietary folate intake on fertility, while results for fetal loss are conflicting. Most previous research on fetal loss focused on folic acid supplement use. We therefore, investigated the association between dietary folate intake and spontaneous abortion (SAB) in a Danish preconception cohort of couples trying to conceive. Methods We recruited couples who were trying to conceive and did not receive fertility treatment. Pregnancies were ascertained through bimonthly follow-up questionnaires completed up to 12 months after study entry. SABs were identified by self-report on the follow-up questionnaires and through the Danish National Patient Registry. Dietary folate intake at study entry was estimated using a validated food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). Folate intake was adjusted for total energy intake using the residual method and categorized as &lt; 250,250–399 and &gt; = 400µg/day. We used Cox proportional hazards regression models with gestational weeks as time scale to compute hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for SAB, adjusting for age, partner's age, educational attainment, smoking status, anthropometry, physical activity, alcohol intake, folic acid supplement use, time-to-pregnancy, gravidity and parity. In sensitivity analyses, we stratified by folic acid supplement use, body mass index (BMI) and alcohol intake. Results Of the 2,957 women who became pregnant within 12 months of study entry and completed the FFQ, we identified 432 SABs. HRs for an SAB among women who consumed 250–399 and &gt;= 400 µg/day of dietary folate compared with &lt;250 µg/day were 0.83 (95% CI: 0.53; 1.29) and 0.87 (95% CI: 0.54; 1.39), respectively. Comparing intake &gt; = 400 with &lt;250 µg/day, the association was stronger when the analysis was restricted to folic acid supplement users, 0.74 (95% CI: 0.39; 1.40), to women with a BMI &gt;= 25, 0.67 (95% CI: 0.31; 1.43), and to a reported alcohol intake &gt;4 drinks/week, 0.66 (95% CI: 0.16; 2.66). Conclusions Our study may suggest that high dietary folate intake among folic acid supplement users is associated with a lower risk of SAB, although our estimates are imprecise. Funding Sources National Institute of Child Health and Human Development.

FOLIC ACID Supplement* SYNTHESIS OF PTEROYLGLUTAMIC ACID (LIVERL. CASEIFACTOR) AND PTEROIC ACID-PART II

1946 ◽  
Vol 48 (5) ◽  
pp. i-vi
Author(s):  
M. E. Hultquist ◽  
Erwin Kuh ◽  
Donna B. Cosulich ◽  
M. J. Fahrenbach ◽  
E. H. Northey ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Folic Acid ◽  
Folic Acid Supplement ◽  
Acid Supplement ◽  
Pteroylglutamic Acid ◽  
Pteroic Acid
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