Taking folic acid has been associated with lower blood pressure, according to a study published in a 2001 issue of “Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis and Vascular Biology.” Folic acid is a water-soluble B vitamin that helps maintain proper cell function, create new red blood cells and facilitates DNA production. Although folic acid supplements are available, getting folic acid from dietary sources such as dark green vegetables and cereals is preferable.
Lower Blood Pressure
Regular folic acid intake reduces blood pressure and has a beneficial effect on vascular function after about two years, according to a study published in a 2001 issue of “Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis and Vascular Biology.” This is supposedly because folic acid helps alleviate the effects of homocysteine, an amino acid associated cardiovascular conditions such as atherothrombotic disease, arterial stiffness and increased blood pressure. Because the results of the study did not support this hypothesis, however, more research is needed to understand the factors that affect how folic acid helps lower blood pressure and their relation to homocysteine levels.
Reduced Pulse Pressure and Artery Stiffness
Folic acid helps alleviate stiffness of the arteries and prevent systolic hypertension, according to a study published in a 2005 issue of the “American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.” Arterial stiffness has been associated with increased blood pressure because more pressure is needed to pump blood through hardened arteries. The results of the study showed that administering daily 5 milligram doses of folic acid for a period of three weeks helps reduce arterial stiffness and consequently helps lower blood pressure.
Improved Endothelial Function
A study featured in a 2002 issue of the “Journal of Internal Medicine” found that folic acid improved endothelial function in cigarette smokers after only a month of treatment. Endothelial cells are the cells that line the interior of your blood vessels. Cigarette smoking often leads to impaired endothelial function, arterial stiffening and increased blood pressure. Treating smokers with daily 5 milligram doses of folic acid for a month helped alleviate these negative effects and lower blood pressure. More research is needed to see whether the same is true for nonsmokers that suffer similar symptoms.
Blood Pressure
The ideal blood pressure of adults is 120/80, MedlinePlus says. Prehypertension is characterized by blood pressure readings that are between 120/80 and 139/89. Mild hypertension is defined by blood pressure ranging from 140/90 to 159/99, while moderate to severe hypertension is characterized by blood pressure that is 160/100 and above. Monitoring your blood pressure regularly is highly recommended so that hypertension is detected as early as possible.
References
- "American Journal of Clinical Nutrition"; Folic Acid Supplementation for 3 Weeks Reduces Pulse Pressure and Large Artery Stiffness Independent of MTHFR Genotype; Carolyn Williams; July 2005
- "Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis and Vascular Biology"; Long-term Homocysteine-Lowering Treatment with Folic Acid Plus Pyridoxine is Associated with Decreased Blood Pressure...; RA van Dik, et al.; December 2001
- "Journal of Internal Medicine"; Folic Acid Enhances Endothelial Function and Reduces Blood Pressure in Smokers: A Randomized Controlled Trial; AA Mangoni, et al.; December 2002
- MedlinePlus; Folic Acid in Diet; Alison Evert; February 2011
- MedlinePlus; Blood Pressure; David C. Dugdale; May 2010
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