Folate is one of the most studied B vitamins in the B vitamin complex. It has been known as an essential nutrient in the human body. Folate deficiency has been linked to a variety of health problems, such as anemia, birth defects, and heart disease among many others. Recently, there has been more evidence that folate status is influential in eating and that there are significant differences in folate status between individuals who are obese or overweight and individuals that have a healthy body weight.
Associations of Folate Status
A number of studies have sought to study folate status in obese and overweight individuals. A study in Spain focused on finding the associations between folate, weight status, and weight reduction.[1] The study comprised of 57 overweight or obese women who were placed on either a vegetable or cereal diet. Researchers noted that folate status was inadequate at the beginning of the study for both groups. After the intervention with a diet both groups experienced weight reductions. The most interesting finding was that women that experienced higher folate increases were more likely to have obtained greater weight loss. Another study conducted in Australia focused on studying obesity in 1131 Mexican American children.[2] They found that both folate concentrations had an inverse relationship with BMI. A study in Texas also had similar findings in terms of the associations of folate status.[3] Researchers evaluated 51 post-menopausal women for vitamin status as well as age, height, as well as other factors. They found that folate concentrations were inversely associated with BMI. In fact overweight women had 12% less folate while obese women had 22% less folate. These studies indicate that folate may be important in eating.*
Associations of Folate Intake
A study at the University of Massachusetts evaluated a total of 3767 adults and assessed the associations between folate intake and weight status. Researchers found that folate concentrations were lower in obese individuals. Moreover, this finding was associated with lower folate intake, indicating a possible link between the folate and weight status.[4]
You can obtain folate in your diet by eating cereal, flour, and grain products. You can also consume lean meats, seafood, and eggs.
Don’t forget that our MicroNourish formula also includes folate.
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[1] Folate status in young overweight and obese women: changes associated with weight reduction and increased folate intake. J Nutr Sci Vitaminol (Tokyo). .2009 Apr;55(2):149-55.
[2] Low serum vitamin B12 and folate concentrations and low thiamin and riboflavin intakes are inversely associated with greater adiposity in Mexican American children. Et al., 2014 Dec;144(12):2027-33. doi: 10.3945/jn.114.201202. Epub 2014 Oct 8.
[3]Measures of adiposity and body fat distribution in relation to serum folate levels in postmenopausal women in a feeding study. Et al., 2008 May;62(5):644-50. Epub 2007 Apr 25.
[4] Obesity is associated with increased red blood cell folate despite lower dietary intakes and serum concentrations Et al., 2015 Jan;145(1):79-86. doi: 10.3945/jn.114.199117. Epub 2014 Nov 12.
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
