ABSTRACT
In 2002, the government of Saudi Arabia issued a mandatory act of fortifying white wheat flour with folic acid due to reported incidences of neural tube defects in different regions of the country. No available study examines folate status before or after the fortification act. The aim of this study was to evaluate folate status for adult healthy Saudi males and females in Riyadh region. 309 subjects were recruited, 157 males and 152 females. Folate status was evaluated by determining folate Concentration 111 serum and red blood cell [RBC]. Results showed that mean serum folate concentrations were 7.3 +/- 2.0 ng/ml and 14.6 +/- 6.0 ng/ml for males and females, respectively. Mean concentrations in RBC were 3321 +/- 78.3 ng/ml and 444.2 +/- 107.3 ng/ml for males and females, respectively. Both indices were significantly lower in male group compared to female group. The study used cut-off values of<3ng/ ml and <160 ng/ml for serum and RBC folate concentration, respectively to determine deficiency and cut-off values of>/=5 ng/ml and>/=200 ng/ml for serum and RBC folate concentration, respectively to determine adequacy. Based on serum cut-off values, 1.9% [n=3] of male participants had folate deficiency and 88.5% [n=139] had adequate status whereas 97.3% [n=148] of females had adequate status and no one had deficiency. Based on cut-off values of RBC, 96.2% [n=151] of males and 98% [n=149] of females had adequate status and no one had deficiency among the two groups. Results also showed that a high percentage of participants had excess status of folate, The study suggests that the fortification act improved folate status and eradicates folate deficiency that is due to inadequate folate intake. In addition, the study suggests that more studies are needed to evaluate potential adverse effects associated with excess intake of folate such as vitamin B 12 deficiency among elderly and exceeding the upper tolerable limit of folate intake among children and users of dietary supplements