SUPPLEMENT AND FORTIFIED FOOD CONTRIBUTION TO OVERALL FOLATE INTAKE AMONG ADULTS LIVING IN WARSAW, POLAND
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Publication date: 2006-03-31
Pol. J. Food Nutr. Sci. 2006;56(1):97-102
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ABSTRACT
The aim of this study was to assess the supplement and fortified food contribution to total folate intake among adults in Warsaw in 2002. Out of 449 respondents of survey on supplementation practice, 60 individuals of both sexes accepted the invitation to folate intake study. The data on dietary folate intake was collected by the 3-day record method. Folic acid supplements usage over the year prior to the study was declared by 25% of respondents. The mean daily folate intake with a diet (natural product only) was 192 μg for women (80 % of the Polish RDA) and 209 μg for men (76% of the Polish RDA). The amount of folates consumed with enriched products was approx. 68 μg of DEF/day for women and 103 μg of DEF/day for men. The use of supplements increased significantly the intake of folates only for women (p<0.01) reaching the level of about 385 μg/day (109% of the RDA with natural and fortified products vs. 162% of the RDA as total intake). Even taking all sources of folates into consideration, the folate intake of 14% of women and 21% of men was still below 66.7% of the Polish RDA. The mean daily folic acid intake with enriched products and supplements together was approx. 115 μg/day. None of the subjects took folic acid from these sources in the amounts exceeding UL, i.e.1000 μg/d. There is a need to improve the respondents’ diet and since people may combine multiple products containing high amounts of folic acid (supplements, enriched food), there is a need to make them aware that its excessive intake may pose health problems.