B vitamins related to homocysteine metabolism in adults celiac disease patients: a cross-sectional study. Issue 1 (December 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Valente, Flávia; Campos, Tatiana; Moraes, Luís; Hermsdorff, Helen; Cardoso, Leandro; Pinheiro-Sant'Ana, Helena; Gilberti, Flávio; Peluzio, Maria
• Is Part Of: Nutrition journal. Volume 14:Issue 1(2015)
• Page Start: 1
• Page End: 7
• Publication Date: 2015-12
• Subjects: Celiac disease -- Gluten-free diet -- Folate -- Homocysteine; Nutrition -- Periodicals; 612.305
• DOI: 10.1186/s12937-015-0099-8
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1475-2891

Abstract

Abstract Background The only treatment for celiac disease is the gluten-free diet. Few studies have assessed the nutritional adequacy of this diet, especially of B vitamins related to homocysteine metabolism. The aim of this study was to assess the nutritional status and serum concentrations of B vitamins involved in homocysteine metabolism, and to determine whether the dietary intake of these vitamins are meeting Dietary Reference Intakes in celiac patients. Methods A cross-sectional study enrolled a total of 20 celiac patients (36.3 ± 13.7 years old; 65 % women), following strict gluten-free diet (GFD) and 39 healthy controls matched by sex and age. The dietary intake was assessed by 3-day food records, and serum concentrations of homocysteine and vitamins B6, B12, and folate were determined after overnight fasting. Comparisons between the two groups were performed by Student'st test or Mann–WhitneyU -test, for continuous variables. Pearson's chi-square test or Fisher's exact test was used for categorical variables. An alpha level of 5 % were considered significant. Results Celiac patients had lower serum folate concentrations (7.7 ± 3.5 ng/mL, P < 0.05) than controls. All celiac patients had folate intake below the Estimated Average Requirement (EAR) (130.8 ± 53.6 μg/d). However, only a small proportion of celiac patients had hyperhomocysteinemia. Conclusions Celiac patients treated with GFD presented inadequacy of dietary folate intake and low-serum concentrations of folate, suggesting that more attention should be given to the quality of the nutrients offered by the GFD, as it constitutes a lifelong treatment.