Whey protein isolate improves vitamin B12 and folate status in elderly Australians with subclinical deficiency of vitamin B12. Issue 5 (9th February 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Dhillon, Varinderpal S.; Zabaras, Dimitrios; Almond, Theodora; Cavuoto, Paul; James‐Martin, Genevieve; Fenech, Michael
• Is Part Of: Molecular nutrition & food research. Volume 61:Issue 5(2017)
• Page Start: n/a
• Page End: n/a
• Publication Date: 2017-02-09
• Subjects: Cobalamin (Cbl) -- DNA damage biomarkers -- Methylmalonic acid (MMA) -- Soy protein isolate (SPI) -- Whey protein isolate (WPI); Food -- Biotechnology -- Periodicals; Food -- Microbiology -- Periodicals; Nutrition -- Periodicals; Food -- Toxicology -- Periodicals; Nutrition -- Periodicals; Food Microbiology -- Periodicals; Food Technology -- Periodicals; Molecular Biology -- Periodicals; 664.0705
• DOI: 10.1002/mnfr.201600915
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1613-4125

Abstract

Abstract : Problems associated with low appetite, nutrient absorption, transport, and metabolism are common among older people leading to deficiency of vitamin B12 and folate (vitamin B9 ). Whey protein isolate (WPI) contains substantial amounts of vitamin B12 and folate but bioavailability of these vitamins from WPI is not known. The effects of WPI on B12 and folate status were tested in a double‐blind, cross‐over intervention in elderly Australians with subclinical deficiency in vitamin B12 and compared to soy protein isolate (SPI) that lacks vitamin B12 and folate. The results suggest that WPI consumption improves active B12 as well as folate status and may prevent increase in methylmalonic acid (MMA), homocysteine (HCY), and genome instability in older Australians with subclinical deficiency of vitamin B12 . Abstract : Scope: Whey protein isolate (WPI) contains vitamin B12 and folate. However, the efficacy of WPI as a bioavailable source of these vitamins in the elderly with low vitamin B12 was not previously tested. We investigated the effects of WPI supplementation on vitamin B12 and folate status in blood and measured changes in homocysteine (HCY), methylmalonic acid (MMA), and genome integrity biomarkers in elderly individuals with low vitamin B12 status. The effect of WPI was compared to soy protein isolate (SPI). Methods and results: In this randomized controlled cross‐over intervention trial, 56 subclinically vitamin B12 ‐deficient participants received 50 g WPI or 50 g SPI as a control for 8 wk followed by 16‐wk washout phase and then cross‐over to alternative supplement for next 8 wk. Consumption of WPI resulted in significant increase in serum active B12 ( p < 0.0001) and serum folate ( p = 0.0094). MMA, HCY, and nucleoplasmic bridges increased significantly after SPI intake but not after WPI ( p = 0.052; p = 0.028; p = 0.0009, respectively). Conclusion: Results indicate that WPI consumption improves active B12 and folate status. Unlike SPI, WPI consumption may prevent increase in MMA, HCY, and genome instability in older Australians with low vitamin B12 status.