Background & Aim: Owing to decreased absorption of cobalamin in the elderly, cobalamin deficiency is a common problem in these subjects. On the other hand, insufficient vitamin B12 status may increase the incidence of atherosclerotic and neurodegenerative disorders. Recently investigators have recommended B12 monitoring in the elderly and detecting at risk subjects in the early stages of deficiency.The purpose of this study is to assess serum levels of B12, Folate and homocysteine in the healthy Iranian elderly and to find a probable relation between them. Patients and Method: This project was conducted as a cross-sectional study in Tehran. A total of 232 people aged 65-90 years, with a mean of 73 years, were recruited and data was gathered by measuring serum levels of homocysteine, Folate, and vitamin B12, interview and physical examination. Blood samples were gathered and analyzed according to standard methods. Statistical analysis was done using SPSS 11. 5 software. Comparison of values were made using Chi-square and Students' t-test. The p-value of less than 0. 05 were determined significant. Results: The variables were assessed in 102 (44%) male and 130(56%) female subjects. The mean of serum B12 was 295 pg/ml (SD±170). 10% of cases had B12 levels less than 119 and 18% less than 160 pg/ml. B12 deficiency increased with ageing (p=0. 000),but there was not a significant relation with sex (p=0. 85). The mean of Folate level was 8 ng/ml (SD±4. 9). 9. 5% of cases had Folate levels below normal range without a significant relation to age (p=0. 06) or sex (p=0. 31). The mean of homocysteine (Hcy) concentration was 19. 3 mmol/l (SD±7. 1). Homocysteine values were more than 20 mmol/l in 33. 6% and more than 15 mmol/l in 67% of the subjects with no relation to ageing (p=0. 23). 42. 2% of males and 27. 7% of females had homocysteine values more than 15 mmol/l (p=0. 005), which was statistically significant. Correlation coefficients between the levels of homocysteine, serum B12 and Folate indicated a significant inverse correlation (r = -0. 33, p= 0. 000; r = -0. 20, p=0. 002 respectively).Conclusion: The results of this study show that the incidence of hyperhomocysteinemia, B12 and Folate deficiency in the elderly is not lower than developed countries, and B12 deficiency seems to be functionally higher than western countries. It is suggested that the elderly use vitamin B group as medication or as fortified foods regularly.

Folate, also known as vitamin B9, is essential in cell metabolism and very important especially for pregnant women and lactating mothers. Natural Folate is available in food but it is very unstable. Synthetic Folate is generally used as an alternative to meet daily needs due to its stability, even though it has a negative effect causing a variety of metabolic disorders. Some lactic acid bacteria have been reported as being able to synthesize natural Folate during the fermentation process. Lactic acid bacteria are the main microorganisms for lactic fermentation such as fermented milk, fruits, and vegetables. Milk is the most nutritious food and contains Folate-binding protein, hence it is considered the ideal fermentation medium to increase Folate stability during storage. Fermentation of milk with Folate-producing lactic acid bacteria can be used as a technique to produce natural Folate-rich fermented foods as an attempt to prevent Folate deficiency without side effects to the consumers.

Background: Folate is a water soluble vitamin which according a role in the replication and cell cycle genes, has attracted researchers attention that nowadays it is called Folate controversy. Policy enrichment foods with folic acid to reduce the incidence of neural tube defects and its simultaneous with increase in the incidence of cancer, especially breast cancer in the target group of women who receive folic acid supplements or foods fortified with folic acid have led to the emergence Folate controversy.The aim of this review study was to investigate the role of Folate in breast cancer.Methods: This review study was based on a search of PUBMED and ISI database with the keywords folic acid and Cancer and select cohort studies between 1991 and 2013, that examined the basis of the 8 studies.Results: The results of the study suggest that a high intake of folic acid from supplements or fortified foods is associated with an increased risk of cancer that in these studies there was no difference between folic acid intake from supplements with folic acid in fortified foods. also women who have had a longer time to get to the higher levels of folic acid were affected to breast cancer more.Another study according to the World Health Organization who had been done, indicated a U-shaped relationship between folic acid intake and breast cancer.Conclusion: Although Folic acid supplementation and fortification of foods with folic acid significantly reduced the incidence of NTD but with regard to the role that Folate plays in cell division in incidence of cancer may also be effective. Based on available evidenceFolate intake in relation to cancer is a U-shaped curve that receive less than 151mcg of folic acid daily and more than 1mg increase risk of cancer significantly. Based on these studies receive less than 151 mcg can cause genetic mutation and receive more than 1mg has role in increased cell replication.