U.S. flagAn official website of the United States government
                    Here's how you know **Official websites use .gov**
                            
                            A **.gov** website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.
 **Secure .gov websites use HTTPS**
                            
                            A **lock** (                            
                              A locked padlock                                                      
                            
                            ) or **https://** means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.


Menu Agricultural Research Service
						
                    U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
 Obesity and Metabolism Research: Davis, CA
 close



    Research

                    Research Projects
                                    Publications
                                    Collaborations
                                    News
                People

                    Staff Listing
                                    Careers


        


                    Laboratories
                        Bennett Group
                                    Huang Group
                                    Keim Group
                                    Laugero Group
                                    Newman GroupSearch small
                    Search
            
            ARS Home
                                About ARS
                                Contact Us




ARS Home Pacific West Area Davis, California Western Human Nutrition Research Center Obesity and Metabolism Research Research Publications at this Location





- ARS National Programs
- Search for a scientific manuscript
- Search for a research project
- ARS Software
- Programs and Projects
- Collaborations
- Subjects of Investigation
- Publications

Title:   Author  item
                                            BRITO, ALEX - University Of Californiaitem
                                            MUJICA-COOPMAN, MARIA - University Of Chileitem
                                            OLIVARES, MANUEL - University Of Chileitem
                                            LOPEZ DE ROMANA, DANIEL - Micronutrient Initiativeitem
                                            CORI, HECTOR - Dsm Nutritional Products, Ltditem
                                            Allen, Lindsay

                                                         - *A*
  Submitted to: Food and Nutrition Bulletin
                                    Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
                                    Publication Acceptance Date: 9/1/2015
                                    Publication  Date: 9/1/2015
                                    Citation: Brito, A., Mujica-Coopman, M.F., Olivares, M., Lopez De Romana, D., Cori, H., Allen, L.H. 2015. Folate and vitamin B12 status in Latin America and the Caribbean: An update. Food and Nutrition Bulletin. 2015, Vol. 36(Supplement 2); DOI: 10.1177/0379572115585772.Interpretive Summary: Background: The current magnitude of folate and vitamin B12 deficiency in Latin America and the Caribbean is uncertain.
Objective: To summarize data on plasma or serum vitamin B12 and folate concentrations in Latin America and the Caribbean reported since 1990, a period that covers the era before and after the introduction of folic acid fortification.
Methods: A systematic review was conducted in 2012 and updated in 2014. Studies and surveys using biochemical biomarkers and conducted in apparently healthy individuals were identified.
Results: Folate deficiency in Latin America and the Caribbean appears not to be a public health problem (prevalence < 5%) after the introduction of folic acid fortification. However, there is some indication that high rates of low or marginal vitamin B12 status remain in most locations and across population groups.
Conclusions: Adding vitamin B12 as a fortificant with folic acid may be the best strategy in areas where vitamin B12 deficiency is an established concern.
                                Technical Abstract: Background: The current magnitude of folate and vitamin B12 deficiency in Latin America and the Caribbean is uncertain.
Objective: To summarize data on plasma or serum vitamin B12 and folate concentrations in Latin America and the Caribbean reported since 1990, a period that covers the era before and after the introduction of folic acid fortification.
Methods: A systematic review was conducted in 2012 and updated in 2014. Studies and surveys using biochemical biomarkers and conducted in apparently healthy individuals were identified.
Results: Folate deficiency in Latin America and the Caribbean appears not to be a public health problem (prevalence < 5%) after the introduction of folic acid fortification. However, there is some indication that high rates of low or marginal vitamin B12 status remain in most locations and across population groups.
Conclusions: Adding vitamin B12 as a fortificant with folic acid may be the best strategy in areas where vitamin B12 deficiency is an established concern.


Return to top


Connect with ARS Sign up


ARS Home
                            USDA.gov
                            Plain Writing
                            Policies & Links
                            Civil Rights Statements
                            FOIA
                            Accessibility Statement
                            Privacy Policy
                            Non-Discrimination Statement
                            Quality of Information
                            USA.gov
                            WhiteHouse.gov