Folate

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Abstract

The function of folate, in its various co-factor forms, is in mediating one-carbon metabolism, a network of pathways involving the transfer and utilization of single-carbon units, including methylene, forminino, methyl, methenyl, and formyl groups. Folate is thus essential for key biolog­ical functions, including the biosynthesis of DNA, serine and glycine metabolism, and methionine synthesis. Folate, in the form of 5‑methyl­tetra­hydro­folate, along with vitamin B12 (as methyl­cobalamin), is required for the synthesis of methionine from homo­cys­teine, and in turn the generation of S‑adenosyl­methionine, a methyl group donor used in numerous reactions, including the methy­lation of DNA, RNA, proteins, and phospho­lipids. Clinical deficiency of folate is manifested as mega­loblastic anemia, characterized by abnormal cell replication in the hemato­poietic system, mega­loblasts in the bone marrow and macro­cytes in the peripheral blood. The mega­loblastic anemia of folate deficiency is identical to that of vitamin B12 deficiency, and specific biomarker testing is essential to provide a differential diagnosis. Folate-related anemia occurs commonly in pregnant and lactating women in low- and middle-income countries. Clinical folate deficiency is less common in high-income countries, but subclinical deficiency is widespread, especially in women of reproductive age and in the presence of certain diseases and drugs. Notably, maternal folate nutrition before and in early pregnancy plays a critical role in fetal development, with conclusive scientific evidence that folic acid supplementation in early pregnancy protects against the occurrence of neural tube defects. Serum and red blood cell (RBC) folate are the biomarkers used to assess folate status, whilst plasma homo­cys­teine provides a functional indictor of status.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationPrinciples of Nutritional Assessment
EditorsRosalind Gibson
PublisherOxford University Press (OUP)
Chapter22a
Edition3rd
Publication statusPublished (in print/issue) - Mar 2022

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