Folic acid belongs to the B family of vitamins and is required by the body for the proper functioning of the cardiovascular, neurological and reproductive systems. Scientific research indicates that supplementing with folic acid may be an effective method for decreasing the risk of strokes, although exact dosage levels and the effects of long-term folic acid supplementation have not yet been determined. Talk to your doctor about the possible benefits and side effects before beginning regular use of folic acid supplements.
Folic Acid
Folic acid is also known as folate; both are forms of vitamin B9. While folic acid is laboratory-synthesized vitamin B9, folate is found in high concentrations in foods such as whole grains, beans, salmon, avocados, orange juice, and dark leafy greens such as Brussels sprouts, spinach and mustard greens. Folic acid is usually consumed in fortified cereals or dietary supplements. In the body, both perform the same functions: they support brain development and genetic material production, and help regulate red blood cell health by promoting the cells' formation and their ability to combine with iron. Folic acid supplementation by pregnant women is linked to a decrease in babies suffering from neurological birth defects. Supplementation may also help prevent cancer and depression.
Effect on Stroke Risk
In 2007, the medical journal "Lancet" published a study performed by researchers who examined the effects of folic acid supplementation on the risk of cardiovascular disease. During the course of the study, the scientists found that people who supplemented with folic acid were 18 percent less likely to have a stroke than people who did not consume extra folic acid. Additionally, individuals who regularly took folic acid supplements for more than 36 months experienced more of an effect -- a 29 percent decreased risk of stroke. The researchers hypothesized that folic acid caused this decrease because of the vitamin's effect on the blood concentration of homocysteine. Homocysteine is a compound that, in high blood levels, is linked to an increased risk of stroke. The scientists concluded that folic acid supplementation may prove to be an effective way to prevent strokes, but that additional research and clinical trials are needed.
Folic Acid Intake and Supplementation
The National Academy of Sciences' Institute of Medicine recommends that adult men and women should consume 400 mcg of folate daily. The University of Maryland Medical Center reports that eating a diet rich in grains and produce should provide this amount easily. The dosage spectrum in studies that focused on using folic acid supplementation for stroke prevention, however, ranges from 400 mcg to 1,200 mcg. A safe and effective folic acid dosage to decrease stroke risk will not be recommended by health professionals until more research has been done. Do not begin supplementing with high levels of folic acid unless you are under the direction and supervision of your doctor.
Considerations
High doses of folic acid supplementation can result in skin problems, digestive system disorders, difficulty sleeping, abdominal pain, seizures and a vitamin B12 deficiency that may cause nervous system damage. Significantly increasing your intake of any one of the B vitamins, such as folic acid, can cause imbalances in the levels of the other seven B vitamins. Supplementing with folic acid can also interfere with the function of medications such as contraceptives, methotrexate, tetracycline, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and cholestyramine.
Member Comments