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Unmetabolized folic acid in human milk: Impact of folate supplementation during lactation
Author(s) -
Houghton Lisa A,
Yang Jimmy,
O'Connor Deborah L
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.21.5.a122-a
Subject(s) - lactation , folic acid , fortification , fortified food , chemistry , food science , folic acid supplementation , zoology , endocrinology , medicine , biology , pregnancy , genetics
Folic acid (FA) supplementation of healthy lactating women produces an increase in blood folate levels without a concomitant increase in milk folate content. No data are available on the effect of supplemental 5‐methyltetrahydrofolate (5‐MTHF) on milk folate concentrations. The objective of the study was to compare the effectiveness of 5‐MTHF with that of an equimolar dose of FA on milk concentrations of total folate, folate binding protein (FBP), and unmetabolized FA in a group of well‐nourished, lactating women consuming folic acid fortified foods. In this study, 69 lactating women were randomly assigned to 5‐MTHF (416 μg/d) or placebo, or assigned to receive FA (400 μg/d) within 1 wk of delivery. At 16 wk pp, total milk folate concentrations and milk FBP did not differ among the 3 groups nor did the proportion of unmetabolized milk FA. Unmetabolized FA was detected in 96% of milk samples representing approximately 8% of milk folate. While milk FBP were correlated with milk folate concentrations (r = 0.49, P < 0.0001), FBP levels (mean ± SD, 41.8 ± 14.7 nmol/L) were much lower than we have previously reported prior to folic acid fortification. In conclusion, 5‐MTHF supplementation proved to be comparable to FA in its effect on milk folate. Furthermore, the presence of unmetabolized FA in milk suggests the transfer of unaltered FA from maternal plasma to milk even for those women consuming folic acid from fortified foods alone. Sponsored by Merck KgGa, Darmstadt, Germany & NSERC of Canada