Japanese researchers have reported a minimal essential blood level for the B vitamin folate for an apparent benefit for colon health, which may help with intake recommendations.
A study with 458 Japanese men and women found that the risk of developing a benign colorectal tumor (adenoma) was decreased when blood level of the B vitamin were above 8.0 nanograms per milliliter.
“We thus offer the first evidence-based recommendation of a minimum essential serum folate concentration level of at least 8.0 ng/ml for effective reduction of the risk of colorectal adenoma,” wrote the researchers from Nippon Medical School in Tokyo in Clinical Nutrition.