Folic Acid May Reduce Alcohol-Related Chronic Disease Risk 29399

Folic Acid May Reduce Alcohol-Related Chronic Disease Risk

BOSTON--Heavy alcohol consumption and a low folate intake mayincrease women's risk for cardiovascular disease and cancer, according to a16-year study of 83,929 women conducted by researchers at Harvard School ofPublic Health.

Generally, heavy drinkers who consume more than 30 g/d of alcohol and whosetotal folate intake is less than 180 mcg/d had the highest risk--36 percenthigher than women who abstained from alcohol and consumed 400 mcg/d to 599 mcg/dof folate. However, researchers also concluded that the increased risk of majorchronic disease associated with heavy drinking was largely diminished amongwomen with a higher folate intake.

Folate, or folic acid, is needed to make DNA and RNA, and is necessary in theproduction of new cells. It also helps prevent changes to DNA that may lead tocancer. Alcohol interferes with folate metabolism, thus giving heavy drinkers ahigher risk of developing cardiovascular disease and cancer. This positiveassociation between heavy alcohol consumption and low folate intake in relationto women's risk of major chronic disease was most apparent among women youngerthan 60 years of age.

The recommended dietary allowance (RDA) of folate for women over 19 years ofage is 400 mcg/d. According to researchers, adequate folate intake may beimportant in the primary prevention of overall major chronic disease in women,especially among younger women consuming more than two alcoholic drinks per day.

The Harvard study was printed in the October issue of the American Journalof Epidemiology (158, 8:760-71, 2003) (aje.oupjournals.org).