Effect of fortified spread on homocysteine concentration in apparently healthy volunteers

Objective: To determine the effect of folic acid, vitamin B₆ and B₁₂ fortified spreads on the blood concentrations of these vitamins and homocysteine. Design and setting: A 6-week randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled, parallel trial carried out in a clinical research center. Subjects: One hundred and fifty healthy volunteers (50% males). Interventions: For 6 weeks, the subjects consumed the test spreads (20 g/day): containing per 20 g (1) 200 micrograms folic acid, 2 micrograms vitamin B₁₂ and 1 mg vitamin B₆, or (2) 400 micrograms folic acid, 2 micrograms vitamin B₁₂ and 1 mg vitamin B₆ or (3) no B-vitamins (control spread). Results: The B-vitamin status increased on using the test spreads, with the largest effect on the serum folate concentration: 48% in men and 58% in women on spread 1 and 92 and 146%, respectively, on spread 2 (P-values all