Folate supplementation linked to reduced risk of Diabetes: Study

Researchers have published the findings in Diabetes Care.

A recommendation supported by the American Diabetes Association is for women with preexisting diabetes to consume 400 micrograms of folic acid daily if they are capable of becoming pregnant, and to increase their consumption to 600 micrograms of folic acid daily if they are pregnant or planning to become pregnant.

Previous studies have shown homocysteine is associated with a higher risk of diabetes. Folate, which reduces homocysteine, is promising for the prevention and treatment of diabetes.

Jie Zhu et al, associated with the Nutrition and Foods Program, Texas State University, had carried out a study to prospectively examine intakes of folate, vitamin B6, and vitamin B12 concerning diabetes incidence in a large U.S. cohort.

In this 30-Year Follow-up Study, researchers included a total of 4,704 American adults aged 18–30 years and without diabetes enrolled in 1985–1986 and monitored until 2015–2016 in the Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults (CARDIA) study. Dietary assessment was conducted by a validated dietary-history questionnaire at baseline and The cumulative average intakes of folate, vitamin B6, and vitamin B12 were used assessed. Incident diabetes was ascertained by plasma glucose levels, oral glucose tolerance tests, hemoglobin A1c concentrations, and/or antidiabetic medications.

The results of the study highlighted the following facts.

ü During the study,655 incident cases of diabetes had occurred.

ü Intake of folate, but not vitamin B6 or vitamin B12, was inversely associated with diabetes incidence after adjustment for potential confounders.

ü Compared with the lowest quintile of total folate intake, the multivariable-adjusted hazard ratios (95% CI) in quintile 2–5 were 0.85 (0.67–1.08), 0.78 (0.60–1.02), 0.82 (0.62–1.09), and 0.70 (0.51–0.97; Ptrend = 0.02).

ü Higher folate intake was also associated with lower plasma homocysteine (Ptrend < 0.01) and insulin (Ptrend < 0.01). Among supplement users, folate intake was inversely associated with serum C-reactive protein levels (Ptrend < 0.01).

The researchers concluded that Intake of folate in young adulthood was inversely associated with diabetes incidence in midlife among Americans. 

"The observed association may be partially explained by mechanisms related to homocysteine level, insulin sensitivity, and systemic inflammation" authors wrote.

For details log on to https://doi.org/10.2337/dc20-0828