Status parameter

Control

group (n = 20)

Food folate group (additional

250 μg folate/d) (n = 19)

Folic acid group (additional

500 μg folic acid /d) (n = 18)

Erythrocyte folate nmol/L

Day 0

694 ± 246

630 ± 177

614 ± 154

Week 8

704 ± 71

749 ± 111

788 ± 86

Week 12

560 ± 185

946 ± 128

912 ± 71

Changes from day 0 to week 12

132 ± 300

320 ± 199**

310 ± 149**

Plasma folate nmol/L

Day 0

21 ± 51

22 ± 33

22 ± 32

Week 8

23 ± 4.5

27 ± 6.4

29 ± 5.8

Week 12

22 ± 4

34 ± 2.9

35 ± 3.6

Changes from day 0 to week 12

0.6 ± 5.5

12.11 ± 3.97**

13.5 ± 5.4**

Plasma total homocysteine µmol/L

Day 0

8.4 ± 2.3

10.7 ± 2.0

9.3 ± 2.3

Week 8

9.2 ± 1.6

9.4 ± 1.8

7.4 ± 1.3

Week 12

8.5 ± 1.01

8.8 ± 1.7

6.8 ± 1.4

Changes from day 0 to week 12

−0.32 ± 1.6

−1.5 ± 1.7*

−1.7 ± 1.5*