Open AccessCirculating unmetabolized folic acid and 5-methyltetrahydrofolate and risk of breast cancer: a nested case-control study
Author(s) -
Karen L. Koenig,
Stephanie Scarmo,
Yelena Afanasyeva,
Tess V. Clendenen,
Per Magne Ueland,
Anne ZeleniuchJacquotte
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
european journal of clinical nutrition
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.024
H-Index - 157
eISSN - 1476-5640
pISSN - 0954-3007
DOI - 10.1038/s41430-020-0615-6
Subject(s) - breast cancer , medicine , nested case control study , odds ratio , case control study , prospective cohort study , european prospective investigation into cancer and nutrition , cancer , fortification , endocrinology , physiology , oncology , gynecology , food science , biology
Folates found in natural foods are thought to protect against cancer. However, folic acid (FA), a synthetic form of folate used in supplements and fortified foods, may increase breast cancer risk if present in unmetabolized form (UMFA) in the circulation. This study examined the associations of serum UMFA and 5-methyltetrahydrofolate (5-mTHF), the predominant form of circulating folate, with breast cancer risk.