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Published in: European Journal of Applied Physiology 1/2009

01-01-2009 | Original Article

Association of recreational physical activity with homocysteine, folate and lipid markers in young women

Authors: Manuela Di Santolo, Giuseppe Banfi, Giuliana Stel, Sabina Cauci

Published in: European Journal of Applied Physiology | Issue 1/2009

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Abstract

We assessed the influence of recreational physical activity in young healthy women on homocysteine, a potential risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD). Participants were 124 23-year-old normal-weight Italian recreational athletes (performing 8.7 ± 2.46 h week−1 exercise) and 116 controls. Median blood homocysteine, folate and lipid markers did not differ between athletes and controls. Elevated homocysteine levels at CVD risk ≥12.0 and ≥15.0 μmol l−1 were not different between groups. Continuous homocysteine was inversely related to folate (P < 0.001), positively associated with age (P = 0.009) and creatinine (P = 0.033), but not associated with hours of exercise, body mass index, and lipid markers. Women with folate depletion (<3.0 μg l−1) were 4.5-fold more likely to have homocysteine ≥15.0 μmol l−1. Recreational physical exercise does not adversely impact homocysteine levels among young women. Only low folate significantly increases the risk for hyperhomocysteinemia in young women.
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Metadata
Title
Association of recreational physical activity with homocysteine, folate and lipid markers in young women
Authors
Manuela Di Santolo
Giuseppe Banfi
Giuliana Stel
Sabina Cauci
Publication date
01-01-2009
Publisher
Springer-Verlag
Published in
European Journal of Applied Physiology / Issue 1/2009
Print ISSN: 1439-6319
Electronic ISSN: 1439-6327
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-008-0880-x

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