Abstract

APITZ-CASTRO, Rafael. Folic acid levels in the Venezuelan population and its impact on public health. An Venez Nutr [online]. 2015, vol.28, n.1, pp.021-027. ISSN 0798-0752.

The folate cofactors are essential for the biochemical processes that lead to the eventual synthesis and epigenetic modification of histones and nucleic acids. In addition, their metabolism is closely related to homocysteine metabolism. While there have been described numerous causes malfunction folate metabolic cycle, the most common and perhaps the most important cause, from the point of view of public health, is nutritional deficiency. The central role of folate in the synthesis and subsequent epigenetic modifications of genetic material, on the one hand, and their relationship with the homeostasis of homocysteine, have been associated with two types of diseases of great public health importance: a) Cardiovascular Diseases b) Defects of embryonic development. Currently, its role in cardiovascular risk is the subject of controversy since this have not received support from population trials , however, there is clear evidence of their role in the onset of embryonic development defects, specifically those focused on the neural tube and the cardio-circulatory system. This evidence, led to propose different program models in public health, at the population level, to attack the nutritional deficit of folates. Of the several models tested, mandatory fortification of certain foods for mass consumption has proved the most successful and is currently implemented in 54 countries worldwide. In Venezuela, since the 2000s it has been shown, experimentally, a serious nutritional folate deficiency, which affects over 70% of the female population of childbearing age. Despite numerous appeals made to those responsible for health policies in the country, Venezuela remains one of the few countries in the region that has not implemented a program of fortification. Its implementation does not requires a strong government investment, but must also be accompanied by an effective monitoring program that allows a) evaluation of the potential benefits and b) support rational implementation of any necessary changes.

Keywords : Folate; nutritional folate deficiency; program of fortification; Venezuela.

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