Hohocysteine (HCY) levels of frail older women receiving nutritional supplementation

Participants were 15 frail women, aged 79 ± 7.5 years, who were free-living. They were ≤ 85% of ideal weight for height or had nonvolitional weight loss of 10% or greater during the prior 6 months. A 1-month intervention was conducted in the home setting consisting of 2 cans (472 ml) of beverage supplement daily providing 472 kcal and 20.4 gm protein with vitamins and minerals that included folic acid 280 μg, B12 4.2 μg, and B6 1.4 mg. Subjects were instructed to take supplement in combination with usual diet. Plasma assays were performed at baseline and 1 month. Compliance monitored by can counts was 51 ± 10 cans (range 25-60). Baseline and 1-month body weights were 51.7 ± 10.9 and 52.2 ± 10.9 kg, respectively, with change score 0.52 ± 0.25 kg (p 0.054). Sample Hcy (mmol/L) Folate (ng/ml) B12 (pg/ml) PLP (nmol/L) Baseline (n=14) 11.3 ± 4.0 21.5 ± 14.3 567 ± 279 96 ± 78 1 Month (n=10) 9.8 ± 2.6 36.3 ± 22.7 577 ± 221 97 ± 62 No subjects had baseline laboratory deficiencies of folate, B12 or pyridoxal phosphate (PLP), yet change scores were significant (p<0.05) for Hcy and folate at -1.1 ± 0.4 and 12.4 ± 3.6, respectively. It appears that Hcy levels can be altered by 1-month supplementation of a beverage containing folate and other nutrients.