Folic Acid Is Related to Muscle Strength and Vitamin A Is Related to Health-Related Quality of Life: Results of the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES VII 2016–2018)

Abstract

This study investigated how folic acid affects muscle strength and the effects of vitamin A on quality of life in adults. Baseline data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES VII 2016–2018) was used to find 6112 adults (ages 19–80) meeting study criteria. The participants were divided into three groups: young adults (ages 19–39), middle-aged (ages 40–64), and elderly (≥65 years). Muscle strength was measured using a digital grip strength dynamometer. The EuroQol five-dimension questionnaire measured quality of life. Associations were assessed using multivariate regression and logistic regression. Vitamins and handgrip strength were divided into low and high groups based on the mean. Although vitamin A and folate levels were related to handgrip strength in all subjects, regression demonstrated a significant association between folate and handgrip strength in the elderly. The odds ratios (OR) of higher handgrip strength were statistically significant for elderly participants with high levels of folate compared to those with low levels (OR: 1.55). Vitamin A was associated with quality of life, especially in the self-care dimension for the elderly. Further longitudinal research is needed to examine the relationship between vitamins and muscle strength, as well as vitamins and quality of life.

Higher dietary methyl donor micronutrient consumption is associated with higher muscle strength in adults: a cross-sectional study

“…Bread and processed meat were only associated with weaker grip strength in men (38) . Other studies have also shown a positive relationship between serum folate and vitamin B 12 concentrations and muscle strength and handgrip strength (39)(40)(41)(42) .…”

Obstructive sleep apnea related to mental health, health-related quality of life and multimorbidity: A nationwide survey of a representative sample in Republic of Korea

“…HRQoL was assessed using the EuroQol 5-dimension (EQ-5D) instrument and Health-related Quality of Life Instrument with 8 Items (HINT-8). The EQ-5D consists of 5 items, and the details of EQ-5D have been previously described [ 21 ]. For the analysis of each of the 5 items of the EQ-5D, 3 levels were divided into 2 groups: “no problem at all” was designated to the “no” group, “some problem” or “many problems” were designated to the “having a problem” group.…”

The unique presentation of the relationship between red blood cell folate and appendicular skeletal muscle mass: a cross-sectional study

“…However, in elderly Japanese women, it was found that there was no statistical correlation between serum folate and muscle 22 . Previous studies on the relationship between folic acid and muscle mass and strength were predominantly based on serum folate and dietary folate [18][19][20][21][22][23] . Due to the low bioavailability of dietary folate and the short cycle representativeness of serum folate, so neither of these indicators can re ect the overall folate storage in the human body 24,25 .…”

“…Subgroup analyses of odds ratios and 95% con dence intervals for LMMS with RBC folate.DiscussionFolate stands as a pivotal nutritional factor recognized for its potential to facilitate muscle development15,17 . Nonetheless, preceding ndings on the relationship between folate and indicators of muscular strength or mass have demonstrated inconsistency[18][19][20][21][22][23] . In our investigation, a notable observation emerged revealing an inverted U-shaped dose-response relationship between RBC folate levels and muscle mass.…”

“…However, entering into a high folate state, marked by a concentration of 745.5 nmol/L, was found to signi cantly elevate the risk of LMMS.Previous research has predominantly focused on the relationship between folate and muscular strength, with multiple studies from the United Kingdom, Singapore, and South Korea underscores the signi cance of folate in maintaining skeletal muscle strength. Such investigations typically emphasize the role of folate in neuromuscular transmission, protein synthesis, and energy metabolism18,19,21 . However, the study conducted by Zhang et al indicates a decline in corrected grip strength when serum folate levels exceed 40 nmol/L among 9,079 adults aged ≥ 20 in the United States20 .…”