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Published on: July 13, 2014
Effect of alcohol on serum folate level
The Journal of Clinical Investigation
|March 1, 1973
Summary
Alcohol consumption significantly lowers serum folate levels, especially during the first day. This effect appears to be due to interference with folate delivery, not depletion of body stores.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Nutritional Science
- Gastroenterology
Background:
- Folate is essential for numerous metabolic processes.
- Alcohol consumption is common and can affect nutrient absorption and metabolism.
- Understanding alcohol's impact on folate is crucial for public health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of oral and intravenous alcohol on folate metabolism in humans.
- To determine the mechanism behind alcohol-induced changes in serum folate levels.
- To assess the relationship between alcohol, folate levels, and the development of megaloblastic anemia.
Main Methods:
- Administered alcohol orally and intravenously to healthy and alcoholic volunteers.
- Monitored serum folate levels (Lactobacillus casei folate) under controlled dietary conditions.
- Conducted in vitro experiments to rule out assay artifacts.
- Observed folate levels and anemia development in chronic alcoholics over several weeks.
Main Results:
- Oral alcohol intake caused a rapid fall in serum folate, particularly on the first day.
- Intravenous alcohol infusion over 13 hours led to a significant decrease in serum folate.
- Serum folate levels normalized quickly after alcohol cessation.
- Chronic alcohol consumption rapidly lowered serum folate, irrespective of initial folate stores.
- Folate-deficient megaloblastic anemia developed faster in individuals with lower initial serum folate.
Conclusions:
- Alcohol consumption significantly impacts serum folate levels, independent of folate store depletion.
- Alcohol likely interferes with the transport or delivery of folate (n-5-methyltetrahydrofolic acid) from storage sites.
- These findings highlight a critical mechanism by which alcohol abuse can lead to folate deficiency and related health issues.
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