Background: Increased homocysteine (Hcy) levels predispose to atherosclerosis. Vitamin B₆, B₁₂ and folate play an important role in Hcy metabolism.
Aim: To assess vitamin B₆, B₁₂ and folate intake and describe the relationship between these vitamins intake and Hcy level in the Polish population.
Methods: Within the framework of the National Multicentre Health Survey (WOBASZ), a representative sample of the whole Polish population aged 20-74 was screened in the years 2003-2005. In each province of Poland 6 communities were randomly selected and in each of them a sample of 100 men and 100 women was randomly selected from the personal identification number (PESEL) database. In a sample of 50% of subjects (3004 men and 3401 women) Hcy level and nutrients were assessed according to the study protocol.
Results: Average intake of vitamin B₆ was 2.26 mg/day in men and 2.03 mg/day in women, of vitamin B₁₂ - 5.85 μg/day and 3.69 μg/day, and folate 258 μg/day and 211 μg/day, respectively. The recommended levels of intake were not achieved by 16% of men and 36% of women for vitamin B₆, 32% and 51% for vitamin B₁₂, and 78% and 90% for folate, respectively. The Hcy level (after adjustment for age, smoking, coffee and alcohol consumption) and prevalence of hyper-Hcy (≥ 12 μmol/l) decreased with increasing number of quartile of vitamins B₆ and B₁₂ in both genders and folate in men. In multivariable linear regression analysis an inverse association between the Hcy level and intake of vitamin B₆ and folate in both genders, and vitamin B₁₂ in men, was demonstrated.
Conclusions: In the Polish population insufficient folate intake was common (deficiency was noted in nearly 80-90% of the population) and despite the correct average, a high proportion of subjects did not fulfil B₆ and B₁₂ intake recommendations; an inverse association between vitamins B₆, B₁₂ and folate consumption and Hcy concentration and prevalence of hyper-Hcy was observed.