High folic acid or folate combined with low vitamin B-12 status: potential but inconsistent association with cognitive function in a nationally representative cross-sectional sample of US older adults participating in the NHANES.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Potential safety concerns relative to impaired cognitive function may exist when high folic acid exposures are combined with low vitamin B-12 status.

Objectives

We aimed to examine the relation of the coexistence of high folate and low vitamin B-12 status with cognitive function, utilizing various definitions of "high" folate status.

Methods

Cross-sectional data from older adults (≥60 y; n = 2420) from the 2011-2014 NHANES were analyzed. High folate status was defined as unmetabolized serum folic acid (UMFA) > 1 nmol/L or serum total folate > 74.1 nmol/L, and low vitamin B-12 status as methylmalonic acid > 271 nmol/L or serum vitamin B-12 < 150 pmol/L. Logistic regression models estimated ORs of scoring low on 1 of 4 cognitive tests: the Digit Symbol Substi

SUBMITTER: Bailey RL 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8184300 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature