The American journal of clinical nutrition
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Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical Trial
Comparison of the effect of low-dose supplementation with L-5-methyltetrahydrofolate or folic acid on plasma homocysteine: a randomized placebo-controlled study.
Food fortification with folic acid has been introduced in several countries for the prevention of neural tube defects. Fortification has lowered total homocysteine (tHcy) concentrations in the US population, a consequence that may have health benefits. However, folic acid fortification could mask vitamin B-12 deficiency. Synthetic L-5-methyltetrahydrofolate (L-MTHF) may be more appropriate than folic acid as a fortificant because it is unlikely to mask the hematologic indicators of vitamin B-12 deficiency. ⋯ Low-dose L-MTHF is at least as effective as is folic acid in reducing tHcy concentrations in healthy persons.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical Trial
Redistribution of vitamin A after iron supplementation in Indonesian infants.
Deficiencies of iron and vitamin A are prevalent worldwide. Single-micronutrient supplementation is widely used to combat these deficiencies. However, micronutrient deficiencies often occur concurrently, and there are many interactions between micronutrients. ⋯ In this study, iron supplementation in infants with marginal vitamin A status led to lower plasma vitamin A concentrations and simultaneously to greater vitamin A liver stores. This implies a redistribution of retinol after iron supplementation, which might induce vitamin A deficiency. Therefore, iron supplementation in infants should be accompanied by measures to improve vitamin A status.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical Trial
Effect of Lactobacillus plantarum 299v on cardiovascular disease risk factors in smokers.
The short-chain fatty acids formed in the human colon by the bacterial fermentation of fiber may have an antiinflammatory effect, may reduce insulin production, and may improve lipid metabolism. We previously showed in hypercholesterolemic patients that supplementation with the probiotic bacteria Lactobacillus plantarum 299v significantly lowers concentrations of LDL cholesterol and fibrinogen. ⋯ L. plantarum administration leads to a reduction in cardiovascular disease risk factors and could be useful as a protective agent in the primary prevention of atherosclerosis in smokers.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical Trial
Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase 677C-->T genotype modulates homocysteine responses to a folate-rich diet or a low-dose folic acid supplement: a randomized controlled trial.
Low folate status and elevated plasma homocysteine are associated with increased risk of neural tube defects and cardiovascular disease. Homocysteine responses to folate may be influenced by genetic variants in folate metabolism. ⋯ A folate-rich diet including folic acid-fortified foods or low-dose supplements effectively increases folate status. TT homozygotes require higher folate intakes than do individuals with the CT or CC genotype to achieve similar tHcy concentrations but are responsive to folate intervention.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical Trial
5,10-Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase genotype determines the plasma homocysteine-lowering effect of supplementation with 5-methyltetrahydrofolate or folic acid in healthy young women.
Elevated plasma total homocysteine (tHcy) is a risk factor for vascular disease and neural tube defects. The polymorphism in the gene encoding 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (FADH(2)) (MTHFR) influences the tHcy concentration and the response to tHcy-lowering therapy. Supplementation with folic acid (FA) decreases plasma tHcy, but limited data are available on the effect of 5-methyltetrahydrofolate (MTHF). ⋯ The response to tHcy-lowering therapy is influenced by MTHFR genotype. Women with the TT genotype seem to benefit the most from supplementation with either FA or MTHF. In women with the CT or CC genotype, FA is more effective than MTHF in lowering plasma tHcy.