Whey protein isolate improves vitamin B12 and folate status in elderly Australians with sub-clinical deficiency of vitamin B12
Varinderpal S. Dhillon
Whey protein isolate (WPI) contains vitamin B12 and folate. However, the efficacy of WPI as a bio-available source of these vitamins in the elderly with low vitamin B12 was not previously tested. We investigated the effects of WPI supplementation on vitamin B12 and folate status in blood and measured changes in homocysteine, methylmalonic acid and genome integrity biomarkers in elderly individuals with low vitamin B12 status. The effect of WPI was compared to soy protein isolate (SPI).
Methods and results
In this randomized controlled cross-over intervention trial, 56 sub-clinically vitamin B12-deficient participants received 50g WPI or 50g SPI as a control for 8 weeks followed by 16 week wash-out phase and then cross-over to alternative supplement for next 8 weeks. Consumption of WPI resulted in significant increase in serum active B12 (p < 0.0001) and serum folate (p = 0.0094). Methylmalonic acid, homocysteine and nucleoplasmic bridges increased significantly after SPI intake but not after WPI (p = 0.052; p = 0.028; p = 0.0009, respectively).
Conclusion
Results indicate that WPI consumption improves active B12 and folate status. Unlike SPI, WPI consumption may prevent increase in MMA, HCY and genome instability in older Australians with low vitamin B12 status.