Work

Association between red blood cell folate and accelerated aging in American adults: a cross-sectional study from the national health and nutrition examination survey

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Objective: The study aims to explore the relationship between red blood cell (RBC) folate concentrations and accelerated aging. Methods: Data were derived from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) cycles of 2007-2010, including 8,944 participants aged ≥ 20 years. Phenotypic age acceleration (PhenoAgeAccel) was calculated using chronological age and 9 aging-related biomarkers. Multivariate linear regression and generalized additive models were used to analyze the relationship between RBC folate levels and PhenoAgeAccel. Smooth curve fitting was used to explore the potential non-linear relationship and threshold effect analysis was applied to examine inflection point. Results: The analysis revealed a U-shaped relationship between RBC folate levels and PhenoAgeAccel, with the inflection point at 732.9 ng/mL. The PhenoAgeAccel decreased by 0.0027 years per 1 ng/mL increase in RBC folate when RBC folate ≤ 732.9 ng/mL (β: -0.0027, 95% CI: -0.0051, -0.0002), and increased by 0.0058 years per 1 ng/mL increase in RBC folate when RBC folate > 732.9 ng/mL (β: 0.0058, 95% CI: 0.0026, 0.0090). Subgroup analysis indicated consistent associations across most demographic and health categories, except for a positive correlation in participants with cardiovascular diseases. Conclusion: There was a U-shaped association between RBC folate and accelerated aging among US adults.

Source: Frontiers in Nutrition

DOI: 10.3389/fnut.2025.1504441

Authors: Jia-ni Wang, Zhen Song, Cheng Xu, Chong-chao Li

Institution: Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine

Language: English

Topic: Folate and B Vitamins Research

Subfield: Rheumatology

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,801