Age-associated B vitamin deficiency as a determinant of chronic diseases

Abstract

The number of elderly individuals is growing rapidly worldwide and degenerative diseases constitute an increasing problem in terms of both public health and cost. Nutrition plays a role in the ageing process and there has been intensive research during the last decade on B vitaminrelated risk factors in vascular and neurological diseases and cancers. Data from epidemiological studies indicate that subclinical deficiency in most water-soluble B vitamins may occur gradually during ageing, possibly due to environmental, metabolic, genetic, nutritional and pathological determinants, as well as to lifestyle, gender and drug consumption. Older adults have distinct absorption, cell transport and metabolism characteristics that may alter B vitamin bioavailability. Case-control and longitudinal studies have shown that, concurrent with an insufficient status of certain B vitamins, hyperhomocysteinaemia and impaired methylation reactions may be some of the mechanisms involved before a degenerative pathology becomes evident. The question that arises is whether B vitamin inadequacies contribute to the development of degenerative diseases or result from ageing and disease. The present paper aims to give an overview of these issues at the epidemiological, clinical and molecular levels and to discuss possible strategies to prevent B vitamin deficiency during ageing.

Nutritional and technological aspects of minor bioactive components in milk and whey: Growth factors, vitamins and nucleotides

“…Extensive research in the last decade has suggested that subtle deficiencies in B vitamins may be risk factors for vascular and neurological diseases and cancers (Brachet et al, 2004). Thus, a combined deficiency of folate and vitamin B12 is associated with neuropsychiatric disorders among the elderly, e.g., development of dementia and Alzheimer's disease (Seshadri et al, 2002).…”

Causes, Consequences and Public Health Implications of Low B-Vitamin Status in Ageing

“…Deficiencies in any of these B-vitamins can perturb the complex regulatory network maintaining one-carbon metabolism resulting in reduced methylation status within the relevant tissue, hyperhomocysteinemia, and/or increased misincorporation of uracil into DNA as a result of thymidylate synthesis being impaired owing to low 5,10-methylene-THF concentrations and thus uracil is inserted instead during DNA synthesis which in turn may contribute to adverse health outcomes in ageing [11,12]. In addition, genetic polymorphisms, including the common 677 C → T polymorphism in the gene encoding the folate-metabolising enzyme MTHFR, can interact adversely with sub-optimal status of one or more of the B-vitamins in one-carbon metabolism and thus contribute to a greater disease risk [13].…”

Folate bio-fortification of yoghurt and fermented milk: a review

“…Except pregnant and lactating women, the minimum folate requirement for adults has been estimated at 50 μg.day −1 (Crittenden et al 2003). In addition, dietary intake of 400-600 μg.day −1 is commonly recommended for pregnant women (Allen 2003;Brachet et al 2004;Crittenden et al 2003;Laiño et al 2013).…”