Folic Acid

Member of the B-complex family with many health benefits
30 gm powder, Code 148

$21.95

Folic acid (folate) is a member of the B-complex family. It is found in abundance in leafy green vegetables, but is often deficient in the standard American diet.

Folic acid has the following health benefits:
- Helps protect the chromosomes against genetic damage

- Can prevent atherosclerosis caused by excess homocysteine

- Has been shown in high doses to lower the risk of cardiovascular disease

- Is needed for the utilization of sugar and amino acids

- May prevent some forms of cancer

- Promotes healthier skin

- Helps protect against intestinal parasites and food poisoning

The United States RDA of 400 mcg is needed for minimal health, but recently it has been established that folic acid can prevent spina bifida, and Women of child bearing age should have more than RDA amounts in their diet.

Caution:
Since folic acid can mask the most obvious effect of a vitamin B12 deficiency, the Life Extension Foundation offers only folic acid capsules that contain vitamin B12, and those taking folic acid powder are advised to add vitamin B12 powder to their daily folic acid supplement.

1/8 teaspoon contains:
31,000 mcg (10%) of pure folic acid

Other ingredients: maltodextrin.

Dosage and use
- 800 mcg daily are suggested for healthy people.

- 800 -1600 mcg daily may be needed by people with absorption problems.

- This product is most effectively utilized when taken with meals.

Exerpt From:

Drugs That Deplete-Nutrients That Heal
A review of Drug-Induced Nutrient Depletion Handbook, 1999-2000

by Ivy Greenwell

Folic acid deficiency: yet another case of drug-induced depletion

Another sad case of drug-induced nutrient deficiency involves the depletion of folic acid (also known as folate and folacin) by a myriad of commonly used drugs. These include aspirin and other salicylates, ibuprofen, indomethacin and other non-steroidal anti-inflammatories. Celebrex unfortunately also depletes folic acid. Methotrexate, used in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis and various cancers such as leukemia and lymphoma, is notorious for depleting folic acid. Likewise, the use of corticosteroids, barbiturates such as phenobarbitol, sulfa drugs such as Bactrim, certain antibiotics, diuretics and oral contraceptives can cause a deficiency of folic acid. The widely used anticonvulsive drug Dilantin (phenytoin) and related drugs also deplete folic acid.

The authors point out that folic acid deficiency is one of the most common vitamin deficiencies. In fact, it may be the number one vitamin deficiency in North America. It is shocking to realize how long it has taken the FDA to mandate adding folic acid to commercial grain products, chiefly white flour and breakfast cereal. The mandated level of enrichment is still so low that unless one eats lots of spinach, broccoli, beans, beets, yeast, eggs and organ meats such as liver and kidneys, one is likely to need folic acid supplements. At present, only about a quarter of the adult U.S. population takes supplements that contain folic acid.

Why the enormous importance of this B vitamin? Folic acid happens to be one of the chief methylating agents. It is only recently that we have begun to understand the role played by methylation in protecting our DNA against damage. Folic acid is also crucial for the conversion of homocysteine to methionine, thus lowering the levels of this harmful atherogenic compound. Deficient methylation is one of the key dysfunctions brought on by the aging process. In a vicious circle, many of the diseases of aging are due to a significant degree to deficient methylation.

In addition, folic acid also plays a crucial role in the production of nucleic acids (DNA and RNA) and in cell division. It is well known that adequate levels of folic acid are needed for the prevention of terrible birth defects known as neural tube defects such as spina bifida and the especially horrifying anencephaly, in which a large part of the brain fails to develop at all. The handbook points out the less known fact that other birth defects such as cleft palate and cleft lip may also be prevented by providing folic acid during pregnancy. Low birth weight and various pregnancy complications are also associated with low levels of folic acid.

In addition, folic acid appears to help protect against colon cancer and cervical dysplasia, a precancerous condition. The authors state, "Some professionals believe that the folic acid depletion caused by oral contraceptives is linked to the high incidence of cervical dysplasia and hysterectomies" in the United States. Large doses of folic acid can reverse cervical dysplasia. Long-term cigarette smokers might also gain a degree of cancer protection if they take folate supplements.

Folic acid may also help alleviate arthritis and depression. By lowering homocysteine, this inexpensive B vitamin aids in the prevention of heart disease and stroke, and possibly also osteoporosis and Alzheimer's disease.

Since folic acid is necessary for the synthesis and maturation of red blood cells (erythrocytes), its deficiency results in a shortage of these cells, and hence inadequate oxygenation of all tissues. Folic acid also plays a role in the maturation of white blood cells (leukocytes), thus enhancing the immune response

Symptoms of folic acid deficiency include elevated homocysteine, anemia, headaches, fatigue, depression, hair loss, insomnia and increased susceptibility to infection.

Again, there are medical ironies here. Folic acid is helpful in relieving arthritic pain, but the drugs commonly prescribed for arthritis deplete folic acid. The cells of the intestinal lining have a special need for folic acid because of their high rate of replication; sulfasalazine, a drug commonly prescribed for colitis, can cause a deficiency of folic acid, ultimately delaying healing.

It is likely that thousands of premature deaths of heart disease and stroke could be prevented through adequate supplementation with folic acid. Some multivitamins and B-complex vitamins include only 100 mcg of folic acid; 400 mcg is a better level, and there is much to be said for using even more than that. It is a tragedy that this very inexpensive and non-toxic vitamin is not more widely used-especially by those who need it the most, including millions of users of anti-inflammatory drugs and oral contraceptives.

These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease