• Anna Waśkiewicz, Elzbieta Sygnowska, and Grazyna Broda.
• Institute of Cardiology, Warsaw, Poland. awaskiewicz@ikard.pl
• Kardiol Pol. 2010 Mar 1; 68 (3): 275-82.

BackgroundIncreased homocysteine (Hcy) levels predispose to atherosclerosis. Vitamin B6, B12 and folate play an important role in Hcy metabolism.AimTo assess vitamin B6, B12 and folate intake and describe the relationship between these vitamins intake and Hcy level in the Polish population.MethodsWithin the framework of the National Multicentre Health Survey (WOBASZ), a representative sample of the whole Polish population aged 20-74 was screened in the years 2003-2005. In each province of Poland 6 communities were randomly selected and in each of them a sample of 100 men and 100 women was randomly selected from the personal identification number (PESEL) database. In a sample of 50% of subjects (3004 men and 3401 women) Hcy level and nutrients were assessed according to the study protocol.ResultsAverage intake of vitamin B6 was 2.26 mg/day in men and 2.03 mg/day in women, of vitamin B12 - 5.85 microg/day and 3.69 microg/day, and folate 258 microg/day and 211 microg/day, respectively. The recommended levels of intake were not achieved by 16% of men and 36% of women for vitamin B6, 32% and 51% for vitamin B12, and 78% and 90% for folate, respectively. The Hcy level (after adjustment for age, smoking, coffee and alcohol consumption) and prevalence of hyper-Hcy (> or = 12 micromol/l) decreased with increasing number of quartile of vitamins B6 and B12 in both genders and folate in men. In multivariable linear regression analysis an inverse association between the Hcy level and intake of vitamin B6 and folate in both genders, and vitamin B12 in men, was demonstrated.ConclusionsIn the Polish population insufficient folate intake was common (deficiency was noted in nearly 80-90% of the population) and despite the correct average, a high proportion of subjects did not fulfil B6 and B12 intake recommendations; an inverse association between vitamins B6, B12 and folate consumption and Hcy concentration and prevalence of hyper-Hcy was observed

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