B-vitamins and body composition: integrating observational and experimental evidence from the B-PROOF study

Purpose: Higher folate and vitamin-B12 have been linked to lower risk of overweight. However, whether this is a causal effect of these B-vitamins on obesity risk remains unclear and evidence in older individuals is scarce. This study aimed to assess the role of B-vitamin supplementation and levels on body composition in older individuals. Methods: A double-blind, randomized controlled trial in 2919 participants aged ≥ 65 years with elevated homocysteine levels. The intervention comprised a 2-year supplementation with a combination of folic acid (400 µg) and vitamin B12 (500 µg), or with placebo. Serum folate, vitamin-B12, active vitamin-B12 (HoloTC), methylmalonic acid (MMA), and anthropometrics were measured at baseline and after 2 years of follow-up. Dietary intake of folate and vitamin-B12 was measured at baseline in a subsample (n = 603) using a validated food-frequency questionnaire. Fat mass index (FMI) and fat-free mass index (FFMI) were assessed with Dual Energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Results: Cross-sectional analyses showed that a 1 nmol/L higher serum folate was associated with a 0.021 kg/m 2 lower BMI (95% CI − 0.039; − 0.004). Higher HoloTC (per pmol/L log-transformed) was associated with a 0.955 kg/m 2 higher FMI (95% CI 0.262; 1.647), and higher MMA (per μgmol/L) was associated with a 1.108 kg/m 2 lower FMI (95% CI − 1.899; − 0.316). However, random allocation of B-vitamins did not have a significant effect on changes in BMI, FMI or FFMI during 2 years of intervention. Conclusions: Although observational data suggested that folate and vitamin B12 status are associated with body composition, random allocation of a supplement with both B-vitamins combined versus placebo did not confirm an effect on BMI or body composition.

Bibliographic Details

Main Authors:	Oliai Araghi, Sadaf, Braun, Kim V.E., van der Velde, Nathalie, van Dijk, Suzanne C., van Schoor, Natasja M., Zillikens, M.C., de Groot, Lisette C.P.G.M., Uitterlinden, Andre G., Stricker, Bruno H., Voortman, Trudy, Kiefte-de Jong, Jessica C.
Format:	Article/Letter to editor biblioteca
Language:	English
Subjects:	BMI, Body composition, Effect of vitamin B12 and folic acid on obesity, Fat (Free) mass, Vitamin B12 and folic acid,
Online Access:	https://research.wur.nl/en/publications/b-vitamins-and-body-composition-integrating-observational-and-exp
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