Folate Intake and Supplement Use in Older Adults

Abstract

Data collected in the 1994-96 Continuing Survey of Food Intakes by Individuals were analyzed to determine folate intake from food and supplement use in adults ≥ 60 years old. Top sources of folate were ready-to-eat cereals, yeast breads, and citrus fruit. Mean dietary folate was 281 ± 5 μg for men and 218 ± 3 μg for women. About one third (32%) consumed supplements containing B vitamins daily. Forty-two percent of men and 38% of women consumed at least 400 μg folates from food and/or daily supplements. Folate intake was positively related to income, health status, and vitamin B supplement use.

Key Words:

• Supplement use
• folate
• CSFII
• food sources
• vitamins
• homocysteine