| July
11, 2007
Vitamin C may boost folate supplement response
By Stephen Daniells
7/11/2007 - Supplementation with vitamin C may increase
the uptake of a folic acid derivative, suggests new research from
Belgium.
The research indicates that simultaneous supplementation could
improve blood folate levels, and could have implications for folic
acid fortification, with the signs indicating that it will be
introduced in the UK soon. An announcement is expected within
the next month or so concerning fortification in Ireland, and
similar measure under scrutiny in Australia.
"Administration of a physiological dose of [6S]-5-methyltetrahydrofolate
with L-ascorbic acid significantly improved the measured serum
folate response in folate saturated healthy men," wrote the
researchers, led by Professor Ann Van Loey, in the European Journal
of Clinical Nutrition.
Deficiency of folic acid, a B vitamin that occurs naturally in
foods such as grains, lentils, chick peas and green leafy vegetables,
in the very early stages of pregnancy can lead to neutral tube
defect, such as spina bifida, in the infant.
Mandatory fortification of grain products with folic acid in
North America since 1998 has led to a significant reduction in
NTD incidence. Although the UK and Ireland have been seriously
looking into it, no European country has introduced parallel measures
so far.
A team of researchers from Trinity College Dublin reported in
March this year that US levels of folic acid could safely be doubled
(BMC Public Health).
Moreover, scientists at the University of Bonn in Germany reported
last year that the folic acid derivative, [6S]-5-methyltetrahydrofolate
([6S]-5-MTHF), is even more bioavailable when given as supplements
than folic acid, and could be an alternative for the primary prevention
of neural tube defects (American Journal of Clinical Nutrition,
Vol. 84, pp. 156-161).
The new study, from the Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, investigated
the effect of simultaneous administration of [6S]-5-MTHF and vitamin
C on the folate status of nine healthy men. Four interventions
were tested: placebo; [6S]-5-MTHF only (343 g); [6S]-5-MTHF (343
g) plus vitamin C (289.4 mg); and (4) [6S]-5-MTHF (343 g) plus
vitamin C (973.8 mg).
Van Loey and co-workers report that 30 minutes after administration,
blood folate concentrations rose significantly compared to baseline
measurements. These elevated values were maintained for six hours
in the two vitamin C groups, compared to only four hours for the
[6S]-5-MTHF only group.
Maximum values were measured between 30 and 90 minutes after
supplementation.
"When [6S]-5-MTHF was concurrently administered with 289.4
or 973.8 mg [vitamin C], the total serum folate response…
was significantly improved (46.54.0 and 53.04.0 versus 34.33.8
h nmol/l,)," wrote the researchers.
However, no statistically significant differences were observed
in folate response as a function of the dose of vitamin C, they
added.
Further research with a larger and longer scale human intervention
trial is needed to fully explore the implications of these results.
In the case against folic acid fortification, fears have been
raised that high levels may mask detection of vitamin B12 deficiency,
especially in the elderly. If this deficiency is not identified
it can eventually lead to dementia.
According to the UK FSA's Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition,
folic acid intakes of one mg/day would not be expected to mask
vitamin B12 deficiency, and most adverse effects in relation to
vitamin B12 deficiency have been reported at doses at or above
5mg/day.
Source: European Journal of Clinical Nutrition
Published online ahead of print, 11 July 2007; doi: 10.1038/sj.ejcn.1602840
"L-ascorbic acid improves the serum folate response to an
oral dose of [6S]-5-methyltetrahydrofolic acid in healthy men"
Authors: P.H.C.J Verlinde, I. Oey, M.E. Hendrickx, A.M. Van Loey
and E.H.M. Temme
Source: www.nutraingredients.com
Comments:
After a much debate, folic acid fortification of grain products
became mandatory in the United States. Recent evidence also
suggests that U.S. levels of Folic acid fortification could
still safely be doubled. However, none of the European countries
have such enforcement, though the U.K. and Ireland are thinking
about it. Meanwhile, many people are being deprived of this
essential nutrient. As is well known, the supplementation
of folic acid, especially early in pregnancy, significantly
reduces the incidence of neural tube defects in infants.
In addition, folic acid supplementation has also been seen
as being useful in cutting the risk of Alzheimer’s
disease and the prevention of hearing loss. This study has
proven that the combination of folic acid with Vitamin C
gives more benefit than any one supplement alone. This is
the exact same principle is what Dr. Rath has been promoting
for more than a decade – the principle of Nutrient
Synergy. In his research, Dr. Rath has proven again and
again that single nutrients are not as effective or beneficial
as the combination of specific nutrients taken together
in specific proportions. The researchers at Dr. Rath's Research
Institute have confirmed the importance of specific nutrient
combinations. You can read more about Dr. Rath's research
using nutrient synergy in various chronic diseases on www.drrathresearch.org.
To learn more in detail about the concept of nutrient synergy
please visit: www.cellularhealthtraining.org
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