- The modest or weak effect of folate among Mexican Americans suggests that levels are insufficient for achieving reductions seen in other populations or insufficient for overcoming other underlying risk factors
- Host susceptibility factors could center on a genetic or acquired variability in the intake, uptake, or metabolism of folic acid
- There could be interference from environmental toxicants such as pesticides from farm work or other occupational exposures to organic solvents
- Fumonisin, a naturally occurring mycotoxin in corn (a very common food in this population), has recently been shown to affect cellular folate uptake