Intake and blood concentrations of folate and their association with health-related behaviors in Korean college students

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to assess folate intake, and serum and red blood cell (RBC) folate concentrations, and investigate the association between folate status and health-related behaviors among Korean college students. A total of 169 students, aged between 18 and 27 years, participated in this study. Dietary intake data were collected by trained interviewers using a 24-hour recall method for three non-consecutive days in 2009. Information on health-related behaviors was obtained by a self-administered questionnaire. Serum and RBC folate concentrations were measured by microbiological assay. The average intakes of folate were 456 µgDFE and 347 µgDFE in male and female students, respectively. While the average serum folate concentration was significantly lower in male students (8.9 ng/mL) compared to female students (12.5 ng/mL), RBC concentrations were not significantly different between male (398.6 ng/mL) and female students (405.3 ng/mL). In male students, low serum folate concentrations were associated with total folate intake less than the Estimated Average Requirement, non-use of folic acid supplements, smoking, alcohol drinking at least once a week and low physical activity. In female students, low serum folate concentrations were associated with smoking and alcohol drinking at least two drinks at a time and BMI ≥ 25. Alcohol drinking and low physical activity were also associated with low RBC folate concentrations in both male and female students. In order to improve folate nutritional status of college students, the practice of desirable health-related behaviors, such as non-smoking, moderate alcohol drinking, regular physical activity, and maintenance of healthy BMI should be encouraged along with consumption of folate-rich foods and supplements.

Assessing the Association between Natural Food Folate Intake and Blood Folate Concentrations: A Systematic Review and Bayesian Meta-Analysis of Trials and Observational Studies

“…Among Tier 1 studies, there were five controlled trials (intake of natural food folate ranged from 115 to 800 μg DFE/day; duration between 12–15 weeks), two cohort studies [ 37 , 41 ], and 24 cross-sectional studies (intake of natural food folate ranged from 49 to 383 μg DFE/day). There were two controlled trials [ 65 , 66 ] and three cross-sectional studies in Tier 2 [ 67 , 68 , 69 ].…”

“…The dots represent the standardized data points from the included studies. Included studies: [ 31 , 34 , 37 , 38 , 39 , 40 ] CrI: Credible interval; DFE: Dietary folate equivalent; MA: Microbiologic assay; RBC: Red blood cell.…”

“…Of the 11 studies that used the MA method, six were included in the meta-analysis, representing a total of nine observations for RBC folate and serum/plasma folate concentrations [ 31 , 34 , 37 , 38 , 39 , 40 ]. Of the 20 studies that used a PBA method, 17 studies with 22 observations for serum/plasma folate concentrations were included in the meta-analysis [ 41 , 42 , 43 , 44 , 45 , 46 , 47 , 48 , 49 , 50 , 51 , 52 , 53 , 54 , 55 , 56 , 57 ].…”

Plasma Homocysteine and Serum Folate and Vitamin B12 Levels in Mild Cognitive Impairment and Alzheimer’s Disease: A Case-Control Study

“…Folate concentrations <3 ng/mL in the serum have traditionally been considered a sign of inadequate folate [ 21 , 22 ]. According to the instruction of Abbott Laboratories, the reference range for serum folate was 7.0–31.4 ng/mL, suggesting that the desirable range for blood folate in the elderly may need to be changed in order to reduce the incidence of neurodegeneration.…”

Associations between Alzheimer’s Disease and Blood Homocysteine, Vitamin B₁₂, and Folate: A Case-Control Study

“…Serum folate concentrations <3.0 ng/mL are traditionally considered to indicate folate deficiency [21]. However, the greatest reduction in neural tube defects has been observed at serum concentrations >7.0 ng/mL [22,23]. According to the instructions for the Abbott AxSYM system, the reference range for serum folate is 7.0-31.4 ng/mL, suggesting that the desirable range for blood folate in the elderly may need to change to reduce the incidence of neurodegeneration.…”