Open AccessFolate and Vitamin B 12 Status in the Americas
Author(s) -
Allen Lindsay H.
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
nutrition reviews
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.958
H-Index - 150
eISSN - 1753-4887
pISSN - 0029-6643
DOI - 10.1111/j.1753-4887.2004.tb00069.x
Subject(s) - vitamin b12 , fortification , folic acid , vitamin , plasma levels , food fortification , cyanocobalamin , biology , food science , physiology , medicine , endocrinology , chemistry
There is growing interest in the potential for folic acid fortification in the Americas and recognition of the high prevalence of low plasma vitamin B 12 concentrations reported in various studies. This review summarized available data on plasma vitamin B 12 and folate concentrations in the Americas. At least 40% of individuals had deficient or marginal plasma vitamin B 12 concentrations in almost all locations and across age groups. Low plasma folate concentrations were less common. It is hypothesized that vitamin B 12 deficiency may result from a low intake of animal source foods, while a higher intake of refined flour may result in low plasma folate.