Abstract
A low serum folate level has been associated with a higher risk of hyperhomocysteinemia. Folate deficiency may occur through insufficient intake of vegetables, especially among young men in Japan. Therefore, we investigated the associations among plasma homocysteine (Hcy) and serum vitamin levels, and the frequency of food intake among 142 Japanese men aged 22-30 years. The mean plasma Hcy level (±SD) was 9.1±6.9 nmol/mL. The trends test showed that the plasma Hcy level adjusted for MTHFR genotype was inversely associated with the serum folate level. The frequency of vegetable intake was not associated with plasma Hcy level, but intake of seaweeds, natto, tofu, fish, and yoghurt each showed an inverse association (all Ptrend＜0.05). Further study is needed to clarify the efficacy of these foods for prevention of hyperhomocysteinemia in consideration of nutritional intake.
