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Folate and vitamin B12 status: temporal evaluation after mandatory fortification in Brazil
Cecília Zanin Palchetti1, Josiane Steluti2, Cristiane Hermes Sales3
1Department of Nutrition, School of Public Health, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, 01246-904, Brazil. ceciliazp@usp.br.
European Journal of Clinical Nutrition
|March 23, 2022
Summary
Mandatory food fortification improved folate levels in Brazil, with vitamin B12 status showing improvement only in older adults. B-complex supplement use increased, impacting vitamin levels and reducing deficiencies.
Area of Science:
- Nutritional Science
- Public Health
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Mandatory food fortification is a public health strategy to combat micronutrient deficiencies.
- Folate and vitamin B12 are crucial for various physiological processes, including neurological function and red blood cell formation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess temporal changes in folate and vitamin B12 status in a Brazilian population following mandatory fortification.
- To identify factors associated with folate and vitamin B12 status.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional analysis of data from the 2008 and 2015 São Paulo Health Surveys.
- Inclusion of 549 adults in 2008 and 610 in 2015, aged 20 years and above.
- Assessment of serum folate and vitamin B12, B-complex supplement use, and dietary intake.
Main Results:
- Serum folate levels increased significantly across all age groups from 2008 to 2015.
- Serum vitamin B12 levels increased only in older adults.
- Folate deficiency decreased from 4.1% to 1.5%, while vitamin B12 deficiency remained around 21-23%.
Conclusions:
- Mandatory fortification effectively reduced folate deficiency in the Brazilian population.
- Vitamin B12 status showed less improvement, with older adults being an exception.
- B-complex supplement use and lifestyle factors like smoking and oral contraceptive use were associated with vitamin status.
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