I just read an interesting article on folate and Vitamin B12. Each one has benefits -- appropriate folate is associated with fewer neural tube defects in newborns, and better cognitive functioning in older adults.
B12 helps regulate normal body functioning and assists in red blood cell formation. Life gets tricky when things get out of balance:
"After adjusting for other factors, the researchers found significant links between low B12 and increased risk of anemia (170%) and cognitive impairment (150%). Among the subjects with low vitamin B12 status, high levels of folate were associated with both anemia (210%) and cognitive impairment (160%). Those findings suggest a possible harmful effect from excess folic acid when paired with B12 deficiency.
For subjects with normal B12 levels, however, folic acid seemed to have a beneficial effect on cognitive impairment. High folate levels in this group were associated with a 60% lower risk of cognitive impairment. No significant association was seen for other conditions."
For more information on the importance of folate/Vitamin B12 balance, click here!
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