Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
Karen P. Best, Tim J. Green, Dian C. Sulistyoningrum, Thomas R. Sullivan, Susanne Aufreiter, Susan L. Prescott, Maria Makrides, Monika Skubisz, Deborah L. O'Connor, Debra J. Palmer
Summary: In a cohort study of 561 mother-infant pairs from Western Australia, late-pregnancy serum UMFA and total folate concentrations were found to have little evidence of association with allergic disease risk in offspring at 1 year of age in a high-risk population for allergies.
JOURNAL OF NUTRITION
(2021)
Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
Marisa A. Patti, Joseph M. Braun, Tye E. Arbuckle, Amanda J. MacFarlane
Summary: Maintaining optimal folate levels during early gestation helps reduce the risk of neural tube defects. While inadequate folate intake remains a concern, consuming higher than recommended doses of folic acid does not offer much additional benefit. In the context of mandatory fortification, factors such as socioeconomic status, maternal age, parity, and pre-pregnancy BMI are associated with adequate folate intake and reduced risk of neural tube defects.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF CLINICAL NUTRITION
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Sanne D. D. van Otterdijk, Hagen Klett, Melanie Boerries, Karin B. B. Michels
Summary: This study examines the influence of folate and S-Adenosylmethionine (SAM) on placental DNA methylation. The study finds that maintaining sufficient levels of folate and SAM is particularly important for individuals carrying the MTHFR C677T polymorphism. The MTHFR genotype is associated with DNA methylation.
Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
Malia S. Q. Murphy, Katherine A. Muldoon, Hauna Sheyholislami, Nathalie Behan, Yvonne Lamers, Natalie Rybak, Ruth Rennicks White, Alysha L. J. Harvey, Laura M. Gaudet, Graeme N. Smith, Mark C. Walker, Shi Wu Wen, Amanda J. MacFarlane
Summary: The study found that high-dose folic acid supplementation in early pregnancy can increase maternal serum folate concentrations but does not increase red blood cell folate concentrations, suggesting tissue saturation. Higher UMFA concentrations in women receiving high-dose folic acid supplements suggest that these doses may be supraphysiological, but there is no evidence of altered 1-carbon metabolism.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF CLINICAL NUTRITION
(2021)
Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
Tanja Jankovic-Karasoulos, Denise L. Furness, Shalem Y. Leemaqz, Gustaaf A. Dekker, Luke E. Grzeskowiak, Jessica A. Grieger, Prabha H. Andraweera, Dylan McCullough, Dale McAninch, Lesley M. McCowan, Tina Bianco-Miotto, Claire T. Roberts
Summary: The study identified maternal genotype MTHFR A1298C (CC) associated with increased risk for gestational hypertension, while folic acid supplementation was related to higher serum folate levels and increased birth weight. Paternal genotypes MTHFR A1298C (CC) and MTHFD1 G1958A (AA) were associated with reduced risk for preterm birth, while MTHFR C677T (CT) was associated with increased risk for gestational hypertension.
MATERNAL AND CHILD NUTRITION
(2021)
Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
Kelsey M. Cochrane, Rajavel Elango, Angela M. Devlin, Chantal Mayer, Jennifer A. Hutcheon, Crystal D. Karakochuk
Summary: This study investigated the effect of (6S)-5-methyltetrahydrofolic acid ((6S)-5-MTHF) and folic acid on blood folate status during pregnancy. The results showed that supplementation with (6S)-5-MTHF may reduce plasma unmetabolised folic acid (UMFA) by approximately 50% compared to folic acid supplementation, but the biological relevance of this finding remains unclear.
BRITISH JOURNAL OF NUTRITION
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Sapna Virdi, Nafisa M. Jadavji
Summary: Folate plays a critical role in pregnancy and deficiency can lead to offspring neurodevelopmental defects. This review examines clinical and preclinical studies to explore the impact of folate deficiency on offspring neurodevelopment and brain function.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Lyazzat Kaldygulova, Talshyn Ukybassova, Gulzhanat Aimagambetova, Andrey Gaiday, Akylbek Tussupkaliyev
Summary: The rationale and importance of folic acid supplementation during pregnancy for preventing fetal congenital defects are widely accepted. Adequate folate levels can reduce the risk of spontaneous abortions and support normal placental blood flow, promoting appropriate fetal growth. Additionally, there is emerging evidence that long-term folic acid supplementation can effectively prevent preeclampsia, a complication unique to humans during pregnancy that contributes to worldwide maternal and perinatal mortality. Folate supplementation helps to decrease elevated levels of homocysteine, which is associated with the risk of preeclampsia.
Review
Nutrition & Dietetics
Carolyn Ledowsky, Abela Mahimbo, Vanessa Scarf, Amie Steel
Summary: Women of childbearing age and pregnant women in high-income countries do not get sufficient folate intake from food sources alone and need to take folic acid supplements. However, most women taking folic acid supplements exceed the upper tolerable limit. Therefore, the recommendations and upper tolerable limit for folic acid supplements need to be reevaluated.
Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
Arick Wang, Lorraine F. Yeung, Nilka Rios Burrows, Charles E. Rose, Zia Fazili, Christine M. Pfeiffer, Krista S. Crider
Summary: This study found that declining kidney function is associated with increased concentrations of RBC and serum folate, independent of folic acid intake. Researchers should consider the confounding role of kidney function when analyzing associations between folate concentrations and disease outcomes.
Article
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Devika Maulik, Leon van Haandel, Jenifer Allsworth, Kris S. Chaisanguanthum, John D. Yeast, J. Steven Leeder
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the effects of race and supplementation on the concentration and correlation of various folate species in maternal and umbilical cord blood. Results showed that folate concentrations in umbilical cord plasma were consistently higher than maternal samples, particularly for 5MTHF.
JOURNAL OF MATERNAL-FETAL & NEONATAL MEDICINE
(2021)
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Ponnusamy Saravanan, Nithya Sukumar, Antonysunil Adaikalakoteswari, Ilona Goljan, Hema Venkataraman, Amitha Gopinath, Christos Bagias, Chittaranjan S. Yajnik, Nigel Stallard, Yonas Ghebremichael-Weldeselassie, Caroline H. D. Fall
Summary: The prevalence of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is increasing worldwide. Low B-12 and high folate levels in early pregnancy are associated with small but statistically significant changes in maternal blood glucose level and higher risk of GDM. Additional studies are needed to further explore the role of unmetabolised folic acid in glucose metabolism and the impact of optimizing B-12 and folate levels in early pregnancy or pre-conception on hyperglycemia.
Review
Nutrition & Dietetics
Nayomi Perera, Victoria L. Rudland, David Simmons, Sarah A. L. Price
Summary: Folate supplementation is important for preventing neural tube defects in the periconceptual period. Some countries have mandatory folic acid fortification in food. Low-dose folic acid (0.4 mg/day) is recommended for all women, and high-dose folic acid (5 mg/day) is recommended for women with pre-existing diabetes in some guidelines.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Divika Sapehia, Aatish Mahajan, Parampal Singh, Jyotdeep Kaur
Summary: This study investigates the effects of dietary vitamin B12 and folic acid on fetal and placental epigenetics. It finds that deficiency in vitamin B12 and high folate levels have a significant impact on the gene expression of MEST and PHLDA2. The study also reveals that DNA methylation changes occur in both generations, while altered histone modifications primarily regulate gene expression in the F1 generation.
JOURNAL OF NUTRITIONAL BIOCHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Liping Yang, Wenjuan Wang, Baohong Mao, Jie Qiu, Huaqi Guo, Bin Yi, Xiaochun He, Xiaojuan Lin, Ling Lv, Xiaoying Xu, Qing Liu, Yongchun Cao, Yiming Chen
Summary: This study found that folic acid supplementation was associated with a reduced risk of LBW, mainly in term-LBW and multiparous-LBW. There were no significant associations between dietary folate intake and LBW, and no interaction between folic acid supplementation and dietary folate intake on LBW.
FRONTIERS IN PUBLIC HEALTH
(2022)
Article
Allergy
Kristina Rueter, Anderson P. Jones, Aris Siafarikas, Ee-Mun Lim, Natasha Bear, Paul S. Noakes, Susan L. Prescott, Debra J. Palmer
JOURNAL OF ALLERGY AND CLINICAL IMMUNOLOGY
(2019)
Review
Nutrition & Dietetics
Carole Brosseau, Amandine Selle, Debra J. Palmer, Susan L. Prescott, Sebastien Barbarot, Marie Bodinier
Letter
Allergy
Valerie Verhasselt, Jon Genuneit, Jessica R. Metcalfe, Meri K. Tulic, Akila Rekima, Debra J. Palmer, Susan L. Prescott
Article
Environmental Sciences
Kristina Rueter, Lucinda J. Black, Anderson Jones, Max Bulsara, Michael W. Clarke, Cristina Gamez, Ee M. Lim, Debra J. Palmer, Susan L. Prescott, Aris Siafarikas
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH
(2020)
Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
Kristina Rueter, Anderson P. Jones, Aris Siafarikas, Ee-Mun Lim, Susan L. Prescott, Debra J. Palmer
Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
Rachelle A. Pretorius, Debra J. Palmer
Summary: Higher dietary fiber intakes during pregnancy may confer health benefits such as increasing gut microbiome diversity, reducing the risk of glucose intolerance and pre-eclampsia, achieving appropriate gestational weight gain, and preventing constipation. However, the majority of pregnant women do not meet the recommended Adequate Intake of dietary fiber, with those consuming higher fiber diets tending to consume more fruits and vegetables.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Kristina Rueter, Anderson P. Jones, Aris Siafarikas, Paola Chivers, Susan L. Prescott, Debra J. Palmer
Summary: The study found that low levels of direct UV light exposure during early infancy were associated with the development of eczema, with children with eczema having significantly less exposure in the first few months of life compared to those without eczema.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH
(2021)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Kristina Rueter, Aris Siafarikas, Debra J. Palmer, Susan L. Prescott
Summary: The increase in allergic disease prevalence is due to changes in environment and behavior affecting immune development. Early onset of allergies indicates vulnerability of the developing immune system and highlights the need for primary interventions. Vitamin D may play a crucial role in preventing allergies by addressing suboptimal levels during critical periods.
Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
Debra J. Palmer, Jeffrey Keelan, Johan Garssen, Karen Simmer, Maria C. Jenmalm, Ravisha Srinivasjois, Desiree Silva, Susan L. Prescott
Summary: Infant allergy is an early sign of increased inflammation and immune dysregulation in modern environments, often caused by refined low-fibre diets. This study focuses on the potential benefits of prebiotic dietary fibres in changing gut microbiota and reducing the risk of allergic disease in infants. A randomized controlled trial is being conducted to investigate the effects of maternal prebiotic supplementation on child allergic disease outcomes.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Debra J. Palmer, Thomas R. Sullivan, Dianne E. Campbell, Ralph Nanan, Michael S. Gold, Peter S. Hsu, Merryn J. Netting, Vicki McWilliam, Jennifer J. Koplin, Kirsten P. Perrett, Patrick Quinn, Michael O'Sullivan, Susan L. Prescott, Rosalie Grivell, Maria Makrides
Summary: Clinical studies suggest that early life intervention strategies can reduce the global burden of food allergies. This study aims to determine the impact of higher maternal food allergen consumption during pregnancy and lactation on infant food allergy outcomes.
Review
Nutrition & Dietetics
Jie Ma, Debra J. J. Palmer, Donna Geddes, Ching Tat Lai, Lisa Stinson
Summary: Infant growth trajectory may influence later-life obesity, and bioactive components in human milk, such as microbiota, oligosaccharides, fatty acids, and antimicrobial proteins, play a role in infant gut microbiome and metabolism, potentially affecting the development of obesity.
Meeting Abstract
Medicine, General & Internal
Kristina Rueter, Anderson P. Jones, Aris Siafarikas, Ee-Mun Lim, Michael W. Clarke, Paul S. Noakes, Susan L. Prescott, Debra J. Palmer
INTERNAL MEDICINE JOURNAL
(2019)
Meeting Abstract
Allergy
K. Rueter, A. Jones, A. Siafarikas, N. Bear, E. M. Lim, P. Noakes, S. L. Prescott, D. J. Palmer
Meeting Abstract
Allergy
A. Rekima, P. Macchiaverni, C. Bonnart, J. Metcalfe, M. Tulic, N. Halloin, J. Genuneit, S. Zanelli, S. Medeiros, D. Palmer, S. Prescott, V. Verhasselt
Meeting Abstract
Allergy
Debra J. Palmer, Jessica R. Metcalfe, Donna T. Geddes, Ching Tat Lai, Susan L. Prescott
JOURNAL OF ALLERGY AND CLINICAL IMMUNOLOGY
(2019)