Impact of High-dose Folic Acid Supplementation on Pathways Linked to DNA Formation

Inclusion criteria

• Generally healthy
• Body mass index of between 19-24 kg/m2
• Normal folate, vitamin B12, and B6 status

Exclusion criteria

• Unable to swallow tablets
• Unable to receive intravenous catheters
• Use of vitamin supplements, amino acid or protein supplements for more than six months before study participation
• Chronic consumption of a high-protein diet (e.g. Atkins Diet)
• Medical conditions such as diabetes, asthma, cancer, cardiovascular disease, a history of neural tube defect (such as spina bifida) affected pregnancy, have had gastrointestinal surgery, abnormal kidney, thyroid function, or psychiatric illness, or any other chronic disease
• Pregnancy or lactation
• Smoking, use of recreational drugs, and/or consumption of more than one alcohol drink per day or more than seven per week.
• Use of long-term prescription medication such as hormonal contraceptives, antidepressants, anticonvulsants, anticoagulants, or other chronic medication
• Blood donation in the last three months prior to study start
• Unable to provide informed consent, or unable to read and write English
• Low compliance to intervention as determined by early steady-state or reduction in blood folate concentrations