ID 80 - Kwas foliowy

PL: Kwas foliowy
EN: Folate
Pdf: folate

Oświadczenie (4)

Oświadczenie (2)

1. Charakterystyka żywności / składnika

The food constituent that is the subject of the health claims is folate. Folate is measurable in foods by established methods.
Folate is the generic name for a number of compounds having a similar activity as folic acid (pteroylglutamic acid, PGA). Folic acid (PGA) is a synthetic folate compound used in food supplements and in food fortification because of its stability, and becomes biologically active after reduction. Natural (dietary) folates are mostly reduced folates, i.e. derivatives of tetrahydrofolate (THF) (SCF, 2000).
Different forms of folate are authorised for addition to foods (Annex II of the Regulation (EC) No 1925/20064 and Annex II of Directive 2002/46/EC5). This evaluation applies to folate naturally present in foods and those forms authorised for addition to foods (Annex II of the Regulation (EC) No 1925/2006 and Annex II of Directive 2002/46/EC).
The Panel considers that the food constituent, folate, which is the subject of the health claims, is sufficiently characterised.

2.2. Metabolizm homocysteiny (ID 80)

The claimed effect is “homocysteine metabolism”. The Panel assumes that the target population is the general population.
The Panel considers that normal homocysteine metabolism is beneficial to human health.

3. Naukowe uzasadnienia wpływu na zdrowie człowieka

Folates play an important role in the transfer of C1-groups (i.e. methyl-, methylene- and formyl- groups), maintaining the methylation balance (SCF, 2000). Folate coenzymes are involved in numerous reactions that involve DNA synthesis, purine synthesis, generation of formate into the formate pool and amino acid interconversion (IoM, 1998).

3.2. Metabolizm homocysteiny (ID 80)

5-methyl-tetrahydrofolate is an important functional and regulatory component of the folate- dependent pathway for the production of methionine from homocysteine which is catalysed by methionine synthase. In this reaction, a methyl group is sequentially transferred from 5-methyl- tetrahydrofolate to the cobalamin coenzyme of the methionine synthase, and then to homocysteine to form methionine (Bailey and Gregory, 2006).
Under conditions of maximal metabolic efficiency, plasma concentrations of homocysteine range from 4 to 10 µmol/L. Metabolic blocks in homocysteine metabolism lead to accumulation of intracellular homocysteine with subsequent export into the blood. Depending on the magnitude of the metabolic impairment, plasma homocysteine can rise to varying degrees. Hyperhomocysteinemia is also caused by B vitamin deficiencies. Deficiencies of folate, vitamin B6 and vitamin B12 lead to impaired remethylation of homocysteine causing mild, moderate, or severe elevations in plasma homocysteine, depending on the severity of the deficiency, as well as coexistence of genetic or other factors that interfere with homocysteine metabolism (Miller, 2005).
The Panel concludes that a cause and effect relationship has been established between the dietary intake of folate and normal homocysteine metabolism.

4.2. Metabolizm homocysteiny (ID 80)

The Panel considers that the following wording reflects the scientific evidence: “Folate contributes to normal homocysteine metabolism.”

5. Warunki i możliwe ograniczenia stosowania oświadczenia

The Panel considers that in order to bear the claims a food should be at least a source of folate as per Annex to Regulation (EC) 1924/2006. Such amounts can be easily consumed as part of a balanced diet. The target population is the general population for the following claimed effects: blood formation (ID 79), homocysteine metabolism (ID 80), function of the immune system (ID 91), and cell division (ID 193). The target population is women planning to become pregnant and pregnant women for the following claimed effect: maternal tissue growth during pregnancy (ID 2882). Tolerable Upper Intake Levels (UL) have been established for folic acid for children and adults. The Tolerable Upper Intake Level for adults has been set at 1000 µg/d (SCF, 2000).

Warunki i możliwe ograniczenia stosowania oświadczenia

Must at least be a source of vitamin/s as per annex to regulation 1924/2006