Association of cardiovascular disease-related dietary pattern, anthropometric status and lifestyle with homocysteine levels in middle-aged and elderly adults in Taiwan: a cross-sectional study

Elevated blood homocysteine levels are an independent risk factor for cardiovascular diseases and a co-factor for various diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease and H-type hypertension, which is a combination of hyperhomocysteinemia and hypertension. Homocysteine levels depend greatly on specific vitamin B concentrations, which are provided throughout our diet. An unhealthy lifestyle and an unbalanced diet can increase homocysteine levels. The purpose of this research was to examine the association between dietary patterns, sociodemographic status, anthropometric status, lifestyle and the prevalence of elevated homocysteine. The subjects of this study were 6777 middle-aged and elderly adults in Taiwan, who visited the Mei Jau Health Screening Center in Taiwan, between 2001 and 2015. A self-reported questionnaire and a food frequency questionnaire were used to investigate the dietary habits, socio-demographic, anthropometric and lifestyle data. For the method of data processing and analysis, a multiple logistic regression was used. Higher adherence to the RRR-derived cardiovascular disease-related dietary pattern resulted in increased Hcy levels. Furthermore, being a smoker (OR=3.12, 95% CI: 2.62, 3.69), drinking alcohol (OR=2.36, 95% CI: 1.97, 2.84), exercising less than 3h per week (OR=1.21, 95% CI: 1.00, 1.45), chewing betel nut (OR=2.57, 95% CI: 1.16, 5.69), being obese (OR=1.87, 95% CI: 1.61, 2.17), having central obesity (OR=2.47 95% CI: 2.07, 2.93) and having hypertension (OR=1.66, 95% CI: 1.45, 1.90) increased the risk of elevated Hcy. Hcy can be increased through a dietary pattern consisting mainly of rice or noodles, fried rice or noodles, eggs, meat, organ meats, milk, fried food, processed food and soy sauce or dipping sauces. In addition, Hcy increase was associated with smoking, alcohol consumption and obesity among middle-aged and elderly adults in Taiwan.