Sources of Folate and Serum Folate Levels in Older Adults
Document Type
Article
Date of Original Version
3-1-2007
Abstract
This study examined dietary folate intake in 173 older adults. A subsample (n=128) also provided data about folic acid from vitamin/mineral supplements and serum folate. Subjects were community-dwelling men and women 60 years of age and older. Overall, this sample had healthful dietary patterns with adequate dietary folate. Mean dietary intake converted to dietary folate equivalents (DFE) was 464 μg DFE/day. However, 20% (n=36) had inadequate and 2% (n=3) had high dietary DFE (>1,000 μg DFE/day). A subsample (n=128) completed a dietary supplement questionnaire and biochemical assessment of folate. Adding folic acid from vitamin/mineral supplements to dietary folate (total DFE), intake increased to 766 μg DFE/day; 13% (n=16) had inadequate, 75% (n=95) had adequate, and 13% (n=13) had high total DFE. No subject with low total DFE reported supplement use, but 94% (n=39) with high total DFE intake did so. In the subsample, all subjects had acceptable serum folate levels (mean serum folate=28.0±13.8 ng/mL [63.5±31.3 nmol/L]). In conclusion, vitamin/mineral supplements should be included in nutrition assessment of older adults. Older adults may be at risk for inadequate folate intake if their energy intake is low, they do not take a vitamin/mineral supplement, or are not consuming fortified cereals. However, older adults may be at risk for excess folic acid intake if they consume both a supplement and fortified cereals. © 2007 American Dietetic Association.
Publication Title, e.g., Journal
Journal of the American Dietetic Association
Volume
107
Issue
3
Citation/Publisher Attribution
Mulligan, Jessica E., Geoffrey Greene, and Marjorie Caldwell. "Sources of Folate and Serum Folate Levels in Older Adults." Journal of the American Dietetic Association 107, 3 (2007): 495-499. doi: 10.1016/j.jada.2006.12.001.