Supplementation with [6S]-5-methyltetrahydrofolate or folic acid equally reduces serum homocysteine concentrations in older adults.
- 2017-05-02
- International journal of food sciences and nutrition 69(1)
- Ewa Sicińska
- Anna Brzozowska
- Anna Brzozowska
- Wojciech Roszkowski
- Paul M Finglas
- PubMed: 28460586
- DOI: 10.1080/09637486.2017.1320536
Study Design
- Type
- Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT)
- Population
- 40 healthy volunteers aged 50-65 with normal serum folate
- Methods
- 400 μg/d FA or equimolar amount of [6S]-5-MTHF for 4 weeks
- Duration
- 4 weeks
Folic acid (FA) supplementation reduces the elevated serum homocysteine (Hcy) concentrations. [6 S]-5-methyltetrahydrofolate ([6 S]-5-MTHF) is an alternative to FA due to possible advantages, that is, no masking cobalamin deficiency. The study aim was to evaluate the effectiveness of [6 S]-5-MTHF in relations to FA supplementation in reducing the serum Hcy. Healthy volunteers, aged 50-65, had normal serum folate and did not use supplements with B-vitamins for 6 months. Forty subjects were divided into two groups: receiving 400 μg/d FA or the equimolar amount of [6 S]-5-MTHF. Blood was collected at baseline and after 4 weeks. In both groups, a significant decrease in the mean Hcy level after intervention period was observed. Supplementation with [6 S]-5-MTHF was slightly less effective, but not significantly, in Hcy lowering than FA (p = .243 between the groups), that is, by 7.8% and 13.4%, respectively. The [6 S]-5-MTHF was shown to be an adequate alternative to FA in reducing Hcy concentrations.
Research Insights
In both groups, a significant decrease in the mean Hcy level after intervention period was observed.
- Effect
- Beneficial
- Effect size
- Small
- Dose
- 400 μg/d