Vitamin B12 and folate deficiencies and hyperhomocysteinemia in erderly

Abstract

The object of this study was to evaluate the levels of homocysteine (Hcy) and to evaluate the status of vitamin B12 and folate in elderly males living in the Riyadh city. Notably 34.1 and 88.6% of subjects had vitamin B12 and folate intakes below the DRI, respectively. Mean serum vitamin B12 was 298.8±114 pmol L-1 Moreover, low serum vitamin B12 was observed in 5.6% of sample subjects (<148 pmol L-1) and 23.3% had marginal vitamin B12 deficiency (148-221 pmol L-1). Mean serum folate was 8.6±2.3 ng mL-1. No one of the study subjects had a serum folate below 3 ng mL-1. However, 11.4% of subjects had marginal folate deficiency, with serum folate between 3-6 ng mL-1. Mean serum Hcy level was 12.3 ± 3.5 μmol L-1 and was inversely correlated with serum vitamin B12. Nearly, fifteen percent (14.8%) of elderly people had HHcy (Hcy> 15 μmol L-1). Serum Hcy levels were increased significantly with age, in contrast serum vitamin B12 levels were decreased significantly with age. In conclusion, low serum levels of vitamin B12 and HHcy exist in older Saudi. Serum Hcy level in elderly Saudi is markedly increased with age and is attributable more to cobalamin deficiency than to folate deficiency. The vitamin B12 and folate status of elderly People (≥ 60 years) should be regularly controlled and a general supplementation with vitamin B12 and folate should be considered.