Research suggests that folic acid plays some role in helping to regulate blood pressure. Folic acid is the water-soluble, synthetic version of vitamin B-9. Like all B vitamins, folic acid helps your body turn food into energy. It also helps create new blood cells. Folate, the natural form of vitamin B-9, is found in fruits, vegetables, beans and green, leafy vegetables. Folic acid is often found in vitamin B-fortified cereals and breads. If you are considering taking folic acid supplements, first consult with your physician.
About Blood Pressure
If you have hypertension, or high blood pressure, you are at risk of developing other serious health conditions including heart disease, stroke and kidney failure. If your blood pressure reading is consistently above 120/80 mm Hg, you may have hypertension or pre-hypertension. Your risk of developing hypertension increases as you age. Although it is a serious disease, you and your physician can control your blood pressure through a combination of diet, exercise and medication.
Research
In a study published in the January 2005 issue of the "Journal of the American Medical Association" women ages 25 to 42 who consumed at least 1000 micrograms of folic acid daily had a lower hypertension rate than those who ingested less than 200 micrograms per day. Women ages 30 to 55 also had lower hypertension rates when they consumed more folic acid, though at a lower rate than the younger women. In another study, published in July 2005 in "The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition," a three week daily supplementation of 5 mg of folic acid decreased the systolic blood pressure of men with normal or mild high blood pressure.
Dosing
The Institute of Medicine recommends that adults consume 400 micrograms of folic acid per day. Consult with your obstetrician if you are pregnant women, as you may need higher doses of folic acid. Your body does not keep a reserve of folic acid, so to meet your recommended daily requirements, you will need to consume obtain enough through dietary sources or through the use of supplements.
Considerations
Since your body does not store folic acid, folic acid overdose is rare, but central nervous system failure is a possibility if you take 15,000 micrograms or more of folic acid. Some people may have an allergic reaction to folic acid. Symptoms include itching, skin redness or rash and breathing problems. If you have any of these symptoms after taking folic acid supplements, contact your physician.
References
- University of Maryland Medical Center; Vitamin B9; May 2009
- National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute; Physician's Reference Card; May 2003
- Centers for Disease Control: Health, United States 2010
- "Journal of the American Medical Association"; Folate Intake and the Risk of Incident Hypertension Among US Women; John P. Forman, M.D., et al.; January 2005
- "The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition"; Folic Acid Supplementation for 3 wk Reduces Pulse Pressure and Large Artery Stiffness Independent of MTHFR Genotype; Carolyn Williams, Ph.D.; July 2005
- Medline Plus; Folic Acid in Diet; Feb. 2011
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