Folate is vitamin B9, a vitamin that naturally occurs in foods such as dark leafy green vegetables, beets, soybeans, salmon and milk. A synthetic form of B9, called folic acid, is found in nutritional supplements and is used to fortify foods that would otherwise be deficient in this nutrient. Insufficient folate consumption may result in neurological problems such as dementia.
Folate and Cognitive Function
Folate is involved in chemical processes in your body that are related to brain function, according to the Linus Pauling Institute. Serum folate deficiencies have been associated with dementia, short-term memory loss, brain atrophy and depression. Though medical suspicions abound as to the relationship between the two, a link between Alzheimer's disease and serum folate has not been conclusively established.
Folic Acid Supplements
With the exception of B12, your body cannot store B vitamins, meaning you must constantly replenish your supply by eating a balanced diet. If you are unable to consume enough folate through dietary sources, supplementation with folic acid can help. The University of Maryland Medical Center states that consuming folic acid as part of a total B complex supplement can help increase the folate activity in your body.
B12/Folate Interactions and Dementia
The Office of Dietary Supplements warns that taking too much folate may mask a deficiency in another vitamin: B12. High doses of folate can correct the anemia associated with B12 deficiency, but will not correct the associated neurological effects, which can negatively impact brain function. A B12 deficiency masked by high doses of folate can become severe enough to cause permanent nerve damage, and should be of special concern for those showing symptoms of dementia. Ask your doctor to check your B12 levels before taking high-dosage folic acid supplements.
Role of Folate
Your body uses folate to build new cells, and this nutrient is crucial to the rapid cell division necessary during pregnancy and childhood growth. Your genetic code, as written in your DNA and RNA, relies on folate. Without enough folate, your body cannot create enough red blood cells, leading to anemia and fatigue. Folate also helps your body break down a protein called homocysteine. If homocysteine levels grow too high in your blood, you may have increased risk of coronary heart disease, stroke, Alzheimer's disease and osteoporosis.
