Folic Acid 572 mcg

Folic Acid is also called: Folacin, Folate, Pteroylglutamic acid, Vitamin B9.

Pregnancy and Folic Acid
If you are planning to become pregnant the advice is to take folic acid supplements and to continue taking them for the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. Taking folic acid supplements may reduce the risk of your baby being born with a spinal cord defect such as spina bifida.

Alzheimer's and Folic Acid
A recent study reposted by the BBC, involving 579 people aged 60 or over, concluded that those who consumed at least the recommended daily amount of 400 micrograms of folic acid had a 55% reduced risk of going on to develop Alzheimer's compared to those consuming under that amount.  UK researchers said the study added weight to previous suggestions folates could reduce Alzheimer's risk.

Interestingly, the study also noted that the vast majority of those meeting the daily recommendations were only doing so because of their daily supplementation.  Without this, their average daily consumption fell to approximately half that which is recommended.  We therefore strongly recommend anyone concerned by the prospect of dementia consider supplementing with this vital B vitamin, Folic Acid.
Read the BBC's full article here:  http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/4152588.stm
The study is published in Alzheimer's and Dementia: The Journal of the Alzheimer's Association.

Dr Susanne Sorensen, head of research at the UK's Alzheimer's Society, said: "This study adds further weight to evidence that folates reduce the risk of people developing Alzheimer's disease.  She added: "Whereas the evidence for the benefit of other vitamins in changing the prospects for somebody at risk of developing Alzheimer's disease is not consistent; the evidence supporting folate intake is very convincing."

Cell Health and Folic Acid
Folic Acid is not only vital for nerve cell development and stability, but is also implicated in the development of the blood cells and their robustness against toxicity deposited or carried in the blood stream.

Folates have already been proven to reduce birth defects, and research now suggests that they may be beneficial in warding off heart disease and strokes.  They have also been shown to help modify levels of the amino acid homocysteine - found in the blood.  Previous research has linked high levels of homocysteine to an increased risk of Alzheimer's disease.

Folic Acid and Aging
Recent studies of the elderly, suggest a link between folic acid, homocysteine, ageing, depression, and dementia, including Alzheimer's disease and vascular disease.

Folates and Mental Health
It is becoming ever clearer that Folates (B vitamins), particularly B12 and Folic Acid (B9) are implicated in mood and cognitive function.  Over the past 3 decades studies have repeatedly shown a high incidence of folate deficiency correlated with mental symptoms of depression and cognitive decline amongst the following populations: epileptic, neurological, psychiatric, geriatric, and psychogeriatric.

In a recent study, treatment of 26 folate deficient epileptic patients with 5 mg of folic acid daily for one to three years resulted in:

• Improved drive,
• Initiative,
• Alertness,
• Concentration,
• Mood, and
• Sociability in most.

Researchers have also concluded that chronic folate deficiency could induce cerebral atrophy in neurological patients.


Folic Acid Deficiency May Contribute to the Following:

• Developmental delay,
• Cognitive deterioration,
• Motor and gait abnormalities,
• Behavioral or psychiatric symptoms,
• Seizures,
• Signs of demyelination or failure of myelination, and
• Vascular changes seen on magnetic resonance imaging or postmortem examination.
• Less commonly, subacute combined degeneration and peripheral neuropathy may also occur.

Folic Adic Dosage:
Adults and Children over the age ot 12:  1 capsule daily, or as recommended by your health care practitioner.