[Role of folates in the nutrition of the elderly].

Inadequate folate intake and in consequence deficient of plasma folate status may have a negative impact on human health. Among elderly the most important effects are related to hyperhomocysteinemia, a significant risk factor for cardiovascular diseases, procarcinogenic effects and cognitive dysfunctions. To prevent such situation and improve the quality of life of elderly people, in Poland as in many other countries, different strategies for increasing folate intake were applied, among them food fortification. At the same time it is important to educate people because food fortification and individual diet supplementation applied together could be a risk of exceeding upper level of folate intake.