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Folic Acid Cuts Risk of Stroke?
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Summary:
Folic acid is proven to cut the risk of strokes. Other well known benefits of folic acid are the prevention of Spina Bifida. There are many foods high in folic acid, primarily fortified grains. |
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Folic Acid Cuts Risk of Stroke?
A recent
review of 8 major studies from the U.S., Canada, Europe, Australia and
New Zealand has shown folic acid supplementaion reduces the risk of
stroke by 18-25%. Did you know there are different types of folic acid? Did you know some breads and other grains are already fortified with folic acid…but is it the most effective form?
Wow! This is
great news for the prevention of strokes and I must add, the benefits
of folic acid have not been lost on holistic physicians for many, many
years. We should all welcome conventional medicine to the party!
Although
these studies did not include prevention of other cardiovascular
conditions in their findings, it wouldn't be rocket science to safely
assume that folic acid supplementation does provide some amount of
prevention of heart attack, coronary heart disease and peripheral
artery disease. In fact, it's actually well known.
Holistic
physicians have long tested for homocysteine levels as part of a
standard cardiovascular risk screening...quite a bit different than the
limited screenings that your conventional physician will do...along
with total cholesterol, HDL's, LDL's and triglycerides. Elevated
homocysteine levels are a marker of inflammation in the body,
especially in the arteries and can be reduced...along with risk...with
the taking of a folic acid supplement. FYI...inflammation is the
missing key when it comes to cardiovascular health....but you probably
won't get your doc to acknowledge that!
Other folic acid deficiency conditions are a
nemia, birth defects, dementia, Parkinson’s Disease, Alzheimer's and it has been linked to colon and breast cancer.
Foods high in folic acid are fortified grains (bread), liver, dark green leafy vegetables, fruit and yeast.
Though
any form of folic acid will be helpful, the most effective form is
called L-5-methyl tetrahydrofolate. Big name, but even bigger benefits.
This is a form that requires fewer metabolic steps to be used
effectively by the body. Recommended dosage ranges from 400-1000 mcg
per day.
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