Assessment of folate status after mandatory folic acid fortification and health consequences: population-based study in the City of São Paulo

Abstract

Much attention has been paid to the folate because of its role as nutrients that are key for the maintenance of good health and prevention of diseases. In addition to its already established role in reducing the incidence of neural tube defects, folate and vitamins B6 and B12 are metabolically related to homocysteine (hcy), in turn, are considered a risk factor for adverse events such as dementia, Alzheimer's disease, bone fractures, cancers and, especially cardiovascular diseases. Brazil and other countries have adopted public policies by which folate fortification of certain foods is mandatory for preventing and combating vitamin deficiency. The results of studies are conflicting in the assessment of dietary intake of folate and folic acid and their corresponding levels and hcy concentration. The lack of accurate methods for measuring dietary intake is possibly the reason for the no association between food intake and chronic diseases or even the lack of relationship between nutrient intake and their respective biomarker. Data will be obtained from population-based study in São Paulo-Brazil, who used two 24-hour dietary recall to assess dietary intake and collected blood sample. This project proposes: 1) the develop and apply of statistical methodology for the study of association between the habitual intake of nutrients involved, directly or indirectly, in hcy metabolism and 2) to assess the dietary intake and blood levels of folate, hcy and unmetabolized folic acid after mandatory folic acid fortification, considering the genetic variants involved in metabolism. (AU)