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Results for “Serum Folate Level”

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At least 919 records · Page 51Linked to original sources

PubMed1999

Nonsyndromic orofacial clefts: association with maternal hyperhomocysteinemia.

Maternal folic acid supplementation has been suggested to play a role in the prevention of nonsyndromic orofacial clefts, i.e., cleft lip +/- cleft palate. Using a case-control design, we investigated vitamin-dependent homocysteine metabolism in 35 mothers with nonsyndromic orofacial cleft offspring and 56 control mothers with nonmalformed offspring. A standardized oral methionine loading test was performed, in which fasting and afterload plasma total homocysteine, serum and red-cell folate, serum vitamin B12, and whole-blood vitamin B6 levels were determined. We found that both fasting (P < 0.01) as well as afterload (P < 0.05) homocysteine concentrations were significantly higher in cases compared to controls. Hyperhomocysteinemia, defined by a fasting and/or afterload homocysteine concentration above the 97.5th percentile, was present in 15.6% of the cases and in 3.6% of controls (odds ratio, 5.3 (1.1-24.2)). The median concentrations of serum (P < 0. 01) and red-cell (P < 0.05) folate were significantly higher, and vitamin B6 concentrations appeared to be significantly lower (P < 0. 05), in cases compared with controls. No significant difference was observed between groups for vitamin B12. These preliminary data offer evidence that maternal hyperhomocysteinemia may be a risk factor for having nonsyndromic orofacial cleft offspring.

Adult↗

PubMed1980

Folate status in pregnant Chinese women in Hong Kong.

Hematologic and folate studies were carried out in 116 pregnant Chinese women in Hong Kong. Mean serum folate values fell progressively with pregnancy reaching subnormal levels during the puerperium. Mean red-cell folate values remained normal or high throughout, but showed a significant fall after delivery in women who carried out breast-feeding. Individually, 18 women showed hematologic abnormalities compatible with folate deficiency, but only four had subnormal red-cell folate values satisfying the strict criterion of folate deficiency, giving an overall frequency of 3.4%. Compared to primigravidae and other multiparae, gravida 2 women appeared to be at highest risk of folate deficiency.

China↗

PubMed2003

Low dietary quality among older adults with self-perceived ill-fitting dentures.

OBJECTIVE: To examine dietary quality and nutrient intakes of participants wearing dentures with and without poor fit as determined by questionnaire and dental exam. DESIGN: Nutrient intakes, Healthy Eating Index (HEI) score, and serum nutrient values were examined among individuals wearing either adequate- or poor-fitting dentures and individuals who had at least 18 teeth. SUBJECTS/SETTING: Data was collected from 4,820 participants in the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey ages 50 years and older with at least 18 teeth (n=3,207) or those wearing dentures (n=1,613), who responded to a questionnaire about denture fit and had their dentures evaluated by a dentist. STATISTICAL ANALYSES PERFORMED: Analysis of covariance and multivariate linear regression analyses were used to examine associations between individuals fully dentate, wearing good-or ill-fitting dentures, and nutritional status indicators. RESULTS: The group with self-perceived ill-fitting dentures compared with the group with natural teeth had significantly lower total HEI (66.5 vs 68.5 P<.002), vegetables (6.3 vs 6.8 P<.01), and variety scores (7.8 vs 8.2 P<.02); lower ascorbic acid (P<.009) and carotene intakes (P<.004). The group with self-perceived good-fitting dentures did not differ significantly from the dentate group. However, both groups wearing dentures had significantly lower serum levels of vitamins C and E, beta carotene, folate, lutein, and lycopene/zeaxanthin compared with the dentate group. APPLICATIONS/CONCLUSIONS: Dietary quality and intake of certain nutrients was poorer among the group with self-perceived ill-fitting dentures than among those wearing adequate dentures or those with natural teeth. Administering a simple questionnaire to patients about their perceptions of denture fit may be useful in identifying denture wearers at increased risk of dietary inadequacy.

Aged↗

PubMed2005

Dietary and metabolic differences in pre- versus postmenopausal women taking or not taking hormone replacement therapy.

While hormonal fluctuations during the menstrual cycle are known to affect energy intake, changes in dietary intake at menopause and specifically with hormone replacement therapy (HRT) are less well understood. Our objective was to assess dietary macro- and micronutrient intakes in premenopausal women (PEMW) in the luteal and follicular phases and postmenopausal women (PSMW) taking or not taking HRT. Serum estradiol and progesterone as well as resting energy expenditure (REE) and respiratory exchange ratio (RER) were measured. In the 9 PEMW, daily energy intake was 19% higher during the luteal versus follicular phase (2089+/-178 vs. 1752+/-158 kcal/day, p<0.05). The luteal phase was characterized by higher intake of total and saturated fat and a lower micronutrient density. In the 7 PSMW not taking HRT and 6 women taking HRT, there was no significant difference in total energy or macronutrient intake. Neither PEMW nor PSMW met national nutritional recommendations for folate, vitamin D, vitamin E and calcium. Serum progesterone levels were positively correlated with protein intake and negatively correlated with percent carbohydrate in the diet. REE was lower (p<0.05) in PSMW not taking HRT, but not in those taking HRT compared to young women. We confirm increased energy intake in the luteal phase in PEMW but found no difference in energy intake between PSMW taking or not taking HRT. While the quality of the diet in PSMW women was closer to national nutritional recommendations, several at risk nutrients that have been linked to health and disease were found in both groups.

Adult↗

PubMed2006

Homocysteine and bone loss in epilepsy.

Epidemiological studies reveal fracture incidence in epilepsy is twice that of the normal population. Much interest has been focused on Vitamin D, however, considering mixed results on non-enzyme inducing anti-epileptic drugs (AEDs) and bone mineral density (BMD) additional metabolic effects may be to blame. AEDs increase serum homocysteine (s-Hcy) by lowering blood folate levels. An association between elevated homocysteine, BMD and increased fracture incidence has been found in non-epilepsy populations. Additionally, folate and Vitamin B12 levels are independently related to bone mineral density in various non-epilepsy populations. This study supports previous research, which found elevated s-Hcy in subjects taking AEDs and that bone loss is related to the use of enzyme-inducing AEDs and changes in alkaline phosphatase. By one-way ANOVA, subjects on phenytoin monotherapy had significantly higher levels of s-Hcy than those on other AEDs (F=5.89, p=.016). Regression analyses revealed homocysteine, fracture history, length of years on AEDs, ethnicity were predictors of spine T scores. Weight and BMI were predictors of both BMD and DEXA T scores. Use of enzyme-inducing AEDs was a negative predictor of spine BMD and T scores, while phenytoin monotherapy was a positive predictor of spine BMD. Lamotrigine was found to be a negative predictor of spine T score. Ambulatory status, menopause and alcohol consumption were predictors of BMD but not T scores. In this study, persons with epilepsy who take nutritional supplementation have 25% lower s-Hcy levels than those who do not. Supplementation continues to be important in preventative epilepsy care.

Absorptiometry, Photon↗

PubMed1983

Effects of chronic alcohol consumption and iron deficiency on maternal folate status and reproductive outcome in mice.

The influence of chronic alcohol consumption with or without iron deficiency on reproductive performance and folate status was studied. Female CBA/J mice were fed isocaloric liquid diets prior to and during pregnancy. A 2 X 2 factorial design was employed with ethanol-derived calories (EDC) and iron (Fe) as dietary variables. Groups received 0% EDC and 30 ppm Fe (CA); 0% EDC and 2 ppm Fe (CD); 20% EDC and 30 ppm Fe (EA); and 20% EDC and 2 ppm Fe (ED). Animals were killed on day 18 of gestation. Mean body weights were reduced in CD, EA and ED groups, while daily caloric intakes reduced only in CD and ED groups. Maternal values for hemoglobin, transferrin saturation and red cell folates decreased with iron deficiency and/or 20% EDC; hematocrit, serum iron and serum folates decreased only with iron deficiency. Blood ethanol levels were similar in EA and ED groups. Maternal liver total lipids and alcohol dehydrogenase activity increased only with 20% EDC, while dihydrofolate reductase activity decreased with iron deficiency and/or 20% EDC. Iron deficiency and/or 20% EDC adversely affected gestational performances in mice as indicated by increased resorptions and decreased percentages of live fetuses/litters and live fetal weights. Data indicate that iron deficiency and/or chronic ethanol consumption induce adverse effects on maternal reproductive performance of CBA/J mice possibly via alteration of folate metabolism.

Alcoholism↗

PubMed2004

Plasma homocysteine levels in hyperthyroid patients.

Hyperhomocysteinemia is a risk factor for premature atherosclerotic vascular diseases. It is known that plasma homocysteine levels are higher in hypothyroid patients compared to healthy subjects. The aim of our study was to assess plasma total homocysteine concentrations in hyperthyroid patients before and after treatment when euthyroid status was reached and compare them with control group. Thirteen hyperthyroid patients (age, 42.9 +/- 15.6 year) and eleven healthy subjects (age, 39.9 +/- 12.5 year) were involved in the study. Plasma levels of homocysteine and serum cholesterol, triglyceride, HDL cholesterol, urea, creatinine, vitamin B12, folate were measured before and after treatment. LDL cholesterol and creatinine clearances were calculated. Pretreatment homocycteine levels of the hyperthyroid patients were significantly lower than healthy controls (11.5 +/- 3.6 micromol/L vs. 15.1 +/- 4.5 micromol/L, respectively, p<0.05). Posttreatment homocysteine levels were significantly higher than pretreatment levels (13.9 +/- 6.3 micromol/L vs. 11.5 +/- 3.6 micromol/L, respectively, p<0.05) and posttreatment creatinine clearance were lower than pretreatment level (103.5 +/- 12.7 ml/min vs. 114.2 +/- 9.3 ml/min, respectively, p<0.01). Lower homocysteine levels in hyperthyroidism can be partially explained with the changes in creatinine clearance.

Adult↗

PubMed1993

Effect of long-term addition of folic acid on folate status, growth performance, puberty attainment, and reproductive capacity of gilts.

Three groups of 34 gilts received, from 9 wk of age until slaughter at 7 wk of gestation, diets supplemented with either 0, 5, or 15 mg/kg of folic acid. The concentration of serum folates increased linearly (P < or = .05) with the level of added folic acid. Although the growth performance was not influenced by the treatments during the overall growing period, feed intake (P < or = .10) and body weight gain (P < or = .05) from 17 to 21 wk of age increased linearly as folic acid level in the diet increased. Age and body weight at puberty as well as body weight gain during gestation were not influenced (P > or = .32) by treatments. Dietary folic acid addition did not affect (P > or = .21) either total weight and empty weight of uterine horns or ovarian total weight, stroma weight, and number and weights of corpora lutea. No treatment effect (P > or = .35) was observed on placental surface, number of placental areolae, litter size, fetus weight, or total litter weight or on fetal DNA, RNA, and protein. However, the concentration of folates in fetuses increased linearly (P < or = .03) with the addition of folic acid in the dam's diet. In conclusion, although a dietary addition of as high as 15 mg/kg of folic acid seemed to influence growth performance of gilts by the end of the growing period, it did not affect age at puberty.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Absorption↗

PubMed1999

Homocysteine and risk for atherothrombotic events.

Homocysteine is formed during the metabolism of methionine. Plasma concentration of homocysteine depends on the activity of specific enzymes and/or serum concentration of folate, vitamin B6 and B12. Increased levels of plasma homocysteine are known to be an independent risk factor for atherothrombosis. Genetic and non-genetic causes are involved in the etiology of hyperhomocysteinemia. Several biochemical mechanisms underlie the vascular damage and the risk of thromboembolism associated with hyperhomocysteinemia. The overproduction of oxygen free radicals generated from the oxidation of homocysteine may be a major cause of endothelial injury and of the alterations in clotting and vascular function. New strategies have been suggested for the treatment of hyperhomocysteinemia, but more epidemiological data and clinical trials are needed.

Arteriosclerosis↗

PubMed1985

Gastric by-pass surgery in morbidly obese patients markedly decreases serum levels of vitamins A and C and iron in the peri-operative period.

We studied changes in serum levels of carotene, vitamins A, C, B12 and folate and iron in the immediate perioperative period after gastric by-pass surgery in nine morbidly obese patients and in six patients undergoing abdominal surgery. All parameters were measured preoperatively and 48 h postoperatively. Marked decreases occurred for vitamin A (2.04 +/- 0.45 mumol/l to 0.92 +/- 0.39 mumol/l, P less than 0.01), vitamin C (26 +/- 11.2 mumol/l to 4.9 +/- 4.0 mumol/l, P less than 0.01), iron (15 +/- 5.8 mumol/l to 4 +/- 2.7 mumol/l, P less than 0.01). A significant change also occurred for carotene (1.7 +/- 0.42 mumol/l to 1.25 +/- 0.48 mumol/l, P less than 0.05). No significant changes were seen for vitamins B12 and folate. Only changes in vitamins A and C were significantly greater in the morbidly obese patients compared to the control group of six patients. These changes likely represent redistribution of vitamins rather than enhanced urinary excretion.

Adult↗

PubMed1993

Management of hair loss in women.

Hair loss in otherwise healthy women presents several challenges for the clinician. The first is to identify the cause, which may be complicated by two or more secondary factors; the second is to find effective treatments; and the third is to establish requirements for long-term management. An optimal hair growth potential is considered to exist when specific parameters for biochemical variables are operating. These include red blood cell and serum folate concentrations within the normal range, serum vitamin B12 levels between 300 and 1000 ng/L, hemoglobin levels greater than 13.0 g/dL, and serum ferritin concentrations of 70 ng/mL or greater. The two predominant disturbances, diffuse androgen-dependent alopecia and chronic telogen effluvium, both require months of treatment before the benefits can be seen. During this time several follow-up investigations and reassuring consultations must occur. Current systemic antiandrogen regimens are highly effective, but the prospect of long-term therapy, possibly for life, is daunting. For some patients there is no systemic choice and topical treatment is the only option. Minoxidil is the only topical preparation currently licensed, but with no quantitative long-term data available, assessing its value in the long-term treatment of androgen-dependent alopecia is difficult.

Administration, Cutaneous↗

PubMed2003

Folate status and homocysteine level in Italian patients aged under 60 on oral anticoagulant therapy.

BACKGROUND: Folate deficiency occurs frequently and the related hyper-homocysteinaemia is considered a risk factor for thrombosis. We investigated folate status and homocysteine (Hcy) concentration in patients under 60 years on oral anticoagulant therapy (OAT) for previous venous or arterial thrombosis and in healthy blood donors. PATIENTS AND METHOD: Thirty-nine patients (mean age 35.2 years) on OAT for longer than 6 months and forty 44 healthy blood donors (mean age 36.0 years) were evaluated. Diet, serum folate (SF), red blood cell folate (RCF), homocysteinaemia, vitamin B12 levels and the mutation C677T of methylenetetrahydrofolate-reductase (MTHFR) gene were determined. RESULTS: The mean SF and Hcy concentrations were significantly higher in patients compared with blood donors (SF = 17.7 versus 10.5 nmol/L, P < 0.0001; Hcy = 11.7 versus 8.9 micromol/L, P = 0.009). Twelve out of 39 patients and 7 out of 44 blood donors were homozygous for the mutation C677T of MTHFR gene. Among the remaining subjects, non-homozygous for the mutation, the patients (27) had mean SF and Hcy levels significantly higher than the (37) blood donors (SF = 18.1 versus 10.8 nmol/L, P < 0.0001; Hcy = 10.3 versus 7.9 micromol/L P < 0.0006). CONCLUSION: Italian patients aged under 60 years on OAT and non-homozygous for the mutation C677T of MTHFR gene, had SF and Hcy concentrations significantly higher than the control group.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1994

Investigation of folate intake and metabolism in women who have had two pregnancies complicated by neural tube defects.

OBJECT: To investigate folate intake and blood levels of folic acid and vitamin C in women with and without a history of two NTD-affected pregnancies and to measure the increase in serum folate following ingestion of orange juice. SUBJECTS: Sixteen women with a history of two NTD-affected infants and 16 controls with no such history, none of whom were either pregnant or taking vitamin supplements. The orange juice loading test was carried out on eight matched pairs. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Dietary intake of folate was assessed by questionnaire and blood levels of folate and vitamin C were measured. RESULTS: There was no evidence of decreased intake of folate in subjects who had had two NTD-affected pregnancies. In controls, both serum and red cell folate showed significant correlation with dietary folate, while in subjects there was no such correlation. Subjects also had smaller increases in serum folate following an oral load than controls, although the differences were not significant. CONCLUSION: Women who have had two NTD-affected pregnancies may have defective folate metabolism. Further investigations on short term utilisation of ingested food folates in these women are required.

Adult↗

PubMed2001

Proteinuria and plasma total homocysteine levels in chronic renal disease patients with a normal range serum creatinine: critical impact of true glomerular filtration rate.

Conflicting data have been reported concerning the independent association between proteinuria and plasma total homocysteine (tHcy) levels, particularly among chronic renal disease (CRD) patients with a normal range serum creatinine. Studies of this potential relationship have been limited by failure to assess true GFR, failure to assess proteinuria in a quantitative manner, or arbitrary restriction of the range of proteinuria examined. We examined the potential independent relationship between plasma tHcy levels and a wide range of quantitatively determined proteinuria (i.e., 0.000-8.340 g/day), among 109 CRD patients with a normal range serum creatinine (range; 0.8-1.5 mg/dl; median=1.2 mg/dl). Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) was directly assessed by iohexol clearance, and plasma status of folate, pyridoxal 5'-phosphate, and B12, along with serum albumin, were also determined. Linear modeling with ANCOVA revealed that proteinuria was not independently associated with tHcy levels (partial R=0.127; P=0.201), after adjustment for potential confounding by GFR (partial R=0.408; P<0.001), age, sex, plasma B-vitamin status, and serum albumin. Moreover, descending across quartiles (Q) [from Q4 to Q1] of GFR, ANCOVA-adjusted (i.e., for age, sex, and folate status) geometric mean tHcy levels (micromol/l) were significantly increased: tHcy Q4 GFR=9.6; tHcy Q3 GFR=10.5; tHcy Q2 GFR=11.9; tHcy Q4 GFR=14.5; P<0.001 for overall Q difference. We conclude that across a broad spectrum of quantitatively determined proteinuria, after adjustment for true GFR, in particular, there is no independent relationship between proteinuria and tHcy levels among CRD patients with a normal range serum creatinine.

Adult↗

PubMed2001

Homocyst(e)ine metabolism in hemodialysis patients treated with vitamins B6, B12 and folate.

Hyperhomocyst(e)inemia is commonly accepted as an independent atherosclerotic risk factor. In most hemodialysis patients, serum homocyst(e)ine is markedly elevated and may contribute to premature atherosclerosis in these patients. Whereas the beneficial effect of folate supplementation on serum homocyst(e)ine has been extensively studied, there are less detailed studies on the effects of cobalamin and pyridoxal phosphate alone, or in combination with folate. We examined the effect of a four-week course of intravenous treatment with folate (1.1 mg), cobalamin (1.0 mg), and pyridoxal phosphate (5.0 mg), administered once (group 1), twice (group 2) or thrice (group 3) weekly in 33 hemodialysis patients divided in three groups of 11 patients. All patients were followed for a further four weeks after treatment was stopped. Serum homocyst(e)ine, cobalamin, folate and pyridoxal phosphate, as well as the metabolites of homocyst(e)ine, methylmalonate, 2-methylcitrate and cystathionine, were determined before, during and after treatment. Baseline serum homocyst(e)ine correlated significantly with serum folate (P=0.0149), cobalamin (P=0.0047) and pyridoxal phosphate (P=0.0408). Correlations independent from the other metabolites or vitamins were found for methylmalonate (P=0.003) and folate (P=0.029). All regimens increased serum cobalamin significantly (in group 1 from 444 +/- 215 to 17,303 +/- 11,989 pg/ml, P<0.01; in group 2 from 542 +/- 633 to 44,896 +/- 15,772 pg/ml, P<0.001; in group 3 from 548 +/- 394 to 77,961 +/- 31,546 pg/ml, P<0.001), but did not increase any of the other vitamin levels. Serum homocyst(e)ine was lowered significantly by 39.8% +/- 31.9% (P<0.05) with two and by 30.1% +/- 26.9% (P<0.05) with three vitamin dosages weekly, but not with one dosage weekly. Since methylmalonate is known to be a sensitive marker of cobalamin deficiency, the data support an important influence of cobalamin levels on baseline homocyst(e)ine levels. Increasing cobalamin levels and additional treatment with folate and pyridoxal phosphate 156 may decrease serum homocyst(e)ine in the same way as high doses of folate alone.

Female↗

PubMed2002

Homocysteine, cysteine, and B vitamins as predictors of kidney disease progression.

BACKGROUND: Pathological similarities between atherosclerosis and glomerulosclerosis suggest that risk factors for the two processes may be similar. Elevated total homocysteine (tHcy) levels and low B vitamin levels are risk factors for atherosclerosis, but have not been evaluated sufficiently as risk factors for the progression of kidney disease. METHODS: Frozen samples from the Modification of Diet in Renal Disease Study were assayed for serum tHcy, cysteine, pyridoxal 5-phosphate (PLP), folate, and vitamin B12 levels in 804 participants. These factors were evaluated in both continuous and categorical analyses as risk factors for glomerular filtration rate (GFR) decline by using univariate and multivariable analyses. RESULTS: At baseline, mean tHcy levels in study A (GFR, 25 to 55 mL/min/1.73 m2) and study B (GFR, 13 to 24 mL/min/1.73 m2) were 16.9 micromol/L (median, 15.6 micromol/L) and 23.0 micromol/L (median, 20.5 micromol/L), respectively. Mean follow-up was 2.2 years. Mean GFR declines were -4.35 and -3.65 mL/min/y in studies A and B, respectively. There was no significant association between change in GFR with baseline level of tHcy in univariate (-0.26 mL/min/y per 1-SD unit increase in tHcy level; 95% confidence interval [CI], -0.67 to 0.15) or multivariable (-0.18 mL/min/y per 1-SD unit increase in tHcy level; 95% CI, -0.53 to 0.17) analysis in study A or univariate (0.07 mL/min/y per 1-SD unit increase in tHcy level; 95% CI, -0.36 to 0.51) or multivariable (0.24 mL/min/y per 1-SD unit increase in tHcy level; 95% CI, -0.16 to 0.64) analysis in study B. Similarly, higher cysteine levels and lower B vitamin levels were not associated with faster rates of GFR decline in multivariable analysis in either study. CONCLUSION: Higher tHcy or cysteine levels and lower folate, PLP, and vitamin B12 levels are not independent risk factors for progression of nondiabetic kidney disease.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1990

Tissue distribution and prediction of total body folate of rats.

To clarify relationships between dietary folic acid intake, blood levels and body stores of folate, rats were fed an amino acid-based diet supplemented with 0, 0.125, 0.5, 1, 2 or 4 mg folic acid/kg diet for 25 d. Folate concentrations of carcass, liver, gastrointestinal (GI) tract, kidney, spleen, testes, heart and lung from rats fed the folate-free diet were 0.06 +/- 0.01, 0.73 +/- 0.08, 0.05 +/- 0.01, 0.39 +/- 0.01, 0.05 +/- 0.01, 0.17 +/- 0.01, 0.02 +/- 0.01 and 0.02 +/- 0.01 micrograms/g, respectively. Serum and erythrocyte concentrations and total body stores were 0.88 +/- 0.16 ng/mL, 0.30 +/- 0.01 micrograms/mL and 13.9 +/- 0.7 micrograms, respectively. Body folate distribution was carcass, 55.6 +/- 1.4%; liver, 26.0 +/- 1.9%; erythrocytes, 7.7 +/- 0.4%; kidney, 4.8 +/- 0.2%; GI tract, 3.0 +/- 0.2%; and testes, 2.5 +/- 0.2%. Carcass content dropped to 38% whereas liver content increased to 44% in rats fed the highest dietary level. Tissue concentrations were correlated with one another and with dietary folate levels. Under these experimental conditions total body folate could be predicted from serum folate, but the general applicability of this relationship requires further study.

Animals↗

PubMed2006

Effects of short-term supplementation with ascorbate, folate, and vitamins B6 and B12 on inflammatory factors and estrogen levels in obese postmenopausal women.

Little is known about the effects of commonly used vitamins on serum inflammatory markers and the hormonal balance in obese postmenopausal women. We studied the effects of an 8-week open-label supplementation with vitamins C (500 mg), B6 (25 mg), B12 (1 mg), and folate (5 mg) on C-reactive protein, interleukin-6, and estradiol levels in 20 obese (body mass index > or = 30) postmenopausal women. Outcomes were assessed in a blinded fashion. Folate and vitamin B12 levels rose significantly, suggesting that the supplement was well absorbed and that participants adhered to the protocol. Weight, blood pressure, and serum lipids remained stable. C-reactive protein, interleukin-6, and leptin levels remained unchanged. Estradiol levels rose from a median of 22.0 pg/mL (IQR = 15.9-25.8) at baseline to a median of 27.8 pg/mL (IQR = 23.1-33.9) at follow-up (p = 0.003). Increments in serum estradiol caused by vitamin supplementation in postmenopausal women have not been previously described and probably merit further investigation.

Ascorbic Acid↗