Nutrient Intake Is Inversely Related to Metabolic Syndrome Incidence

A publication in JAMA Network Open found that folate, vitamin B6, and vitamin B12 intake and serum levels are inversely related to metabolic syndrome (MetS) incidence, with higher intake levels yielding more favorable outcomes.

This study was a prospective cohort study looking at data on Black and White adults in the United States. Adults were enrolled between 1985 and 1986 and studied until 2015–2016. Researchers examined and validated baseline diet levels and re-examined at the 7- and 20-year marks. Additionally, serum concentrations of folate, B6, and B12 were assayed at baseline, 7 years, and 15 years in a subset of 1,430 participants.

The study included 4,414 participants; half were Black, and the other half were White. The average age at enrollment was 24.9 years old. Over the average 30 years of follow-up, approximately 1,240 patients developed MetS.

Those in the highest quintile of folate intake were 61% less likely to have developed MetS than the patients in the highest quintile. Vitamins B6 and B12 intake had a less dramatic impact on the likelihood of developing MetS. Those with the highest intake of B6 were 39% more likely to have MetS than those in the lowest intake range. Finally, high B6 intake correlated with a 26% reduced risk of MetS. This data was based on evaluations of dietary habits.

Following a similar trend, data on serum levels of these nutrients showed that more nutrients correlated with a lower incidence of MetS. High folate serum levels reduced the risk of MetS by 77%, and high vitamin B6 and B12 levels reduced MetS risk by 52% and 30%, respectively.

Researchers in the study concluded “that both dietary intakes and serum concentrations of folate, vitamin B6, and vitamin B12 were significantly inversely associated with incident MetS. Adequate intakes of these B vitamins should be recommended for the prevention of MetS. Lower serum concentrations of these B vitamins may be indicators of a higher risk of MetS. Further investigations are needed to confirm our findings and establish causal inference.”