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Vitamin B-Complex · 60 capsules

9 reviews

GN Laboratories

High-dose vitamin B complex specially tailored to the increased vitamin B requirements of athletes and physically active people. Covers the increa...
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Original price €12,90

Original price €12,90 - Original price €12,90

Original price €12,90

Current price €11,48

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Current price €11,48

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Save 11% Save %

Folic acid - also known as vitamin B9 - is a water-soluble vitamin. This term covers a large group of substances. There are around 100 different folic acid-active substances. They are called folates. The folates found in food are among the unstable vitamers. They are generally sensitive to light and react extremely sensitively to oxygen and heat. From a nutritional point of view, the quantity of folates present plays a subordinate role. The form of the folates present is decisive for their bioavailability. From a nutritional point of view, folates are present in food in two forms: in folic acid mono- or poly-glutamates. Monoglutamates are also known as free folic acid.

The absorption capacity of free folic acid is much higher than that of polyglutamates. The preparation of the food is also decisive for its bioavailability. Chopping raw vegetables releases folates from the cells. As a result, they can be modified by the tissue's own enzymes in such a way that their bioavailability is improved. Due to the high sensitivity of folates to heat, cooked foods have a reduced bioavailability of the vitamin.

Folates must have a certain structure in order to be absorbed by the small intestine. While folic acid monoglutamate (molecules with only one amino acid residue, the glutamyl residue) can be absorbed largely without detours, folic acid polyglutamates (molecules with several glutamyl residues) must be cleaved before absorption. However, this "preparation" for absorption is only possible to a limited extent. This means that not all of the up to eight glutamyl residues can be split off. This means that the absorption of folic acid polyglutamates is very limited. Most of the vitamin is stored in the liver. However, the storage period is very short. The stores are largely exhausted after only about four weeks of a folate-free diet.

Functions

Folic acid acts primarily as a coenzyme. It is involved in the metabolism of proteins and nucleic acids (DNA). Its involvement in the synthesis of a precursor product of DNA is one of the most important tasks of the vitamin. Folic acid is dependent on the presence of cobalamin for some metabolic reactions. If cobalamin is not present in sufficient quantities, this leads to indirect folic acid deficiency symptoms. Folic acid is also important for blood formation, cell growth, general reproduction of the immune system and for the glands and liver. Other roles include the maturation of red blood cells and the conversion of homocysteine into methionine - an amino acid used for protein synthesis or converted into S-adenosylmethionine (SAMe) - a compound that acts as the primary methyl donor in the body and is required for numerous cellular reactions.

Potential health benefits and uses for folic acid

Both folic acid and folate are used in supplement form for a variety of reasons. Although folic acid and folate supplements are typically used to treat the same conditions, they have different effects in the body and can therefore affect health in different ways. Below we will discuss the main benefits and uses of folic acid and folate supplements.

Folic acid has antioxidant effects

Folic acid has been shown in a number of laboratory studies to have efficient free radical neutralizing activities compared to vitamins C and E (1). In rats exposed to arsenic, folic acid supplementation was able to reduce damage to DNA and mitochondria by suppressing oxidative biomarkers and increasing the activity of antioxidant enzymes (2).

Folic acid can support the function of the immune system

An increased susceptibility to infections has been observed in humans and animals with a folate deficiency (3). Clinical folate deficiency often manifests as megaloblastic anemia - a condition that results in an impaired immune response - and primarily affects cell-mediated immunity). Compensating for folate deficiency through supplementation can restore immune function in affected patients (4). A folate-rich diet was also able to reverse age-related changes in T cell proliferation and cytokine production in rats (5).

Folic acid can prevent birth defects and pregnancy complications

One of the most common uses for folic acid and folate supplements is to prevent birth defects - specifically neural tube defects including spina bifida and anencephaly - when a baby is born with missing parts of the brain or skull (6). Folate status during pregnancy is an indicator of the risk of such malformations, which has led to an official recommendation of folic acid supplementation for pregnant women. It is recommended that women supplement with 400 to 800 mcg of folic acid daily one month before a planned pregnancy and continue to do so during the first 2 to 3 months of pregnancy. In addition to birth defects, folic acid can also help prevent pregnancy-related complications such as pre-eclampsia (8).

Folic acid can be used to treat deficiency symptoms

Folate deficiency can occur for a variety of reasons, including inadequate dietary intake, pregnancy, alcoholism and malabsorptive diseases (8). Such a deficiency can result in serious side effects including megaloblastic anemia, birth defects, mental impairment, impaired immune function and depression (9). Both folate and folic acid can be used to treat such deficiencies.

Folic acid can promote brain health

Scientific research has shown that lower blood folate levels are associated with poor brain function and an increased risk of dementia. Even normal folate levels in the lower range are associated with an increased risk of mental impairment in older people (10). Studies have shown that folic acid supplementation can improve brain function in people with mental impairment and help in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease.

A study of 180 adults with mild cognitive impairment showed that supplementation with 400 mcg of folic acid per day for 2 years compared to a placebo improved markers of brain function including verbal IQ and reduced blood levels of certain proteins involved in the development and progression of Alzheimer's disease (11). Another study of 121 subjects with newly diagnosed Alzheimer's who were treated with donepezil found that those who took 1,250 mcg of folic acid per day for 6 months had improved cognitive function and reduced inflammatory markers compared to patients taking donepezil alone (12).

Folic acid can be used as an adjunctive treatment for mental disorders including depression

It has been shown that people with depression had lower folate levels than people without depression (13). Folate is involved in the synthesis of serotonin and dopamine and an imbalance of these neurotransmitters can lead to depression and anxiety disorders (21). In a study of 21 subjects with eating disorders, an increase in folate levels led to significant relief from depression (22). Studies have shown that folic acid and folate supplements can reduce symptoms of depression when these supplements are used in conjunction with antidepressants.

A systemic review showed that treatment with folate-based supplements including folic acid in combination with antidepressants was associated with a significantly greater reduction in depressive symptoms compared to antidepressants alone (14). In addition, a review of 7 studies found that treatment with folate-based supplements in combination with antipsychotics resulted in a greater reduction in negative symptoms of schizophrenia than antipsychotics alone (15).

Folic acid can reduce risk factors for heart disease

Supplementation with folate-based supplements including folic acid may help improve heart health and reduce risk factors for heart disease. Elevated levels of the amino acid homocysteine are associated with an increased risk of developing heart disease. Homocysteine blood levels are determined by diet and genetic factors. Folate plays a primary role in the metabolism of homocysteine and low folate levels can lead to high homocysteine levels (16). Studies show that supplementation with folic acid can lower homocysteine levels and reduce the risk of heart attack. A review with 30 studies and over 80,000 participants showed that folic acid supplementation led to a 4% reduction in the general risk of heart disease and a 10% reduction in the risk of stroke (17).

Folic acid could be helpful for kidney disease

A large study of 15,000 patients with chronic kidney disease found that combining the antihypertensive drug enalapril with folic acid was more effective in improving kidney function than enalapril alone. The study suggested the use of folic acid to delay the progression of chronic kidney disease. In a large observational study of 55,000 patients with end-stage renal disease, folic acid supplementation increased survival by protecting the heart and preventing other complications (18). High homocysteine levels are also a major contributor to complications in patients with kidney disease. Several studies have shown that folic acid alone or in combination with vitamins B6 and B12 could lower homocysteine levels in kidney patients (19, 20).

Folic acid could lower blood pressure

According to a meta-analysis of 12 clinical studies, high doses of folic acid (minimum 5 mg per day for 6 weeks) can slightly lower systolic blood pressure (upper value) and improve the function of blood vessels (23). In addition, folic acid supplementation has been shown to improve blood flow, which may help improve cardiovascular function (24).

Folic acid could be helpful for liver damage

Results from various studies support a causal relationship between low folate levels and oxidative stress, liver damage and cancer (25). Excessive alcohol consumption is known to be a risk factor for liver disease and cancer. Oxidative stress due to folate deficiency is a primary underlying factor and folate deficiency is known to correlate with liver disease (26). In animal studies, folic acid has been shown to reduce the harmful effects of alcohol on the liver, likely due to the maintenance of methionine and glutathione levels, which are important for liver detoxification (27, 28).

Folic acid could reduce the risk of hearing loss in old age

An observational study of over 26,200 participants found that a higher intake of folate could reduce the risk of age-related hearing loss in people over 60 (29).

Other potential benefits

Folic acid supplementation has been associated with the following benefits:

Diabetes: Folate-based supplements may help improve glycemic control, reduce insulin resistance, and improve cardiovascular function in diabetics. These supplements may also help reduce diabetes complications including neuropathy (30, 31).
Fertility: A higher intake of folate (more than 800 mcg per day) is associated with a higher rate of successful births in women undergoing artificial insemination. Adequate intake is also essential for egg quality, implantation and maturation (32).
Inflammation: Folic acid and folate supplements have been shown to reduce inflammatory markers including C-reactive protein in different populations (33).
Reducing the side effects of medication: Folate-based supplements may help reduce the incidence of side effects of certain medications including methotrexate - an immunosuppressant used to treat rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis and certain types of cancer (34).

This list is not exhaustive and there are many other reasons to use folate-based supplements such as folic acid.

Occurrence

Folic acid is mainly found in leafy vegetables and in beef, pork and veal liver. In vegetables, particularly high concentrations are found in beans, lettuce, asparagus, spinach and white cabbage.

Symptoms of deficiency

The first symptoms of a folic acid deficiency are changes in cell division - a disturbance in DNA synthesis. Changes to the stomach and intestinal mucosa can also occur. These changes result in diarrhea and a negatively affected absorption of nutrients.

However, a folic acid deficiency usually manifests itself through

depressive moods,
a considerable drop in performance
insomnia,
mental disorders and
forgetfulness.

Consequences of folic acid deficiency can include serious health problems including megaloblastic anemia, increased risk of heart disease and birth defects (35).

Folic acid deficiency can have several causes, including the following:

Inadequate dietary intake
Diseases or surgeries that affect folic acid absorption in the digestive tract including celiac disease, gastric bypass and short bowel syndrome
Too little stomach acid, which can also be caused by taking gastric acid blockers
Medications that block the absorption of folic acid including methotrexate and sulphasalazine
Alcoholism
pregnancy
Hemolytic anemia
Dialysis

Side effects of folic acid and precautions

Unlike folate compounds found naturally in food, high doses of supplements can cause unwanted side effects. Prolonged high intakes can lead to the formation of folacin crystals in the kidneys. Doses above 1500mcg can cause gastrointestinal problems. A high intake of folic acid in the form of supplements can lead to high blood levels of unmetabolized folic acid. Some studies have linked higher folic acid levels in women after 14 weeks of gestation to a higher risk of autism and negative effects on neurocognitive development in newborn infants (36, 37). However, this could only be observed with doses of more than 400 mcg folic acid per day.

High doses of folic acid can also mask an existing vitamin B12 deficiency by correcting the megaloblastic anemia that can be observed with vitamin B12 deficiency. However, folic acid supplementation cannot prevent the neurological damage caused by a vitamin B12 deficiency. As a result, a vitamin B12 deficiency can remain undetected until neurological symptoms appear. In older people, it has been observed that supplementation with high doses of folic acid at low vitamin B12 levels can accelerate the age-related decline in mental abilities (38). In addition, several studies have shown that high doses of supplemented folic acid can reduce immune function by reducing the activity of immune cells (39). A review of 10 studies also found a borderline significant increase in the incidence of prostate cancer in people who supplemented folic acid (40). Folic acid supplements should not be given to infants under one year of age unless directed by a physician (6).

Interactions

Folic acid supplements can interact with some medications (6):

Methotrexate: Methotrexate is a drug used to treat autoimmune diseases and certain types of cancer.
Epilepsy medications: Folic acid can affect the action of medications such as Dilantin, Carbatrol and Depacon.
Sulfasalazine: Sulfasalazine is used to treat ulcerative colitis. Folic acid supplementation should be discussed with the doctor treating you if you are taking one of these medications.

Requirements

The requirement is 0.3 mg folic acid per day. The DGE bases this recommendation on a distribution of folic acid poly- and mono-glutamates in a ratio of 60:40. Bioavailability is assumed to be 20% for polyglutamates and 100% for monoglutamates. In addition, the DGE allowed a safety margin of 50% for this figure.

The involvement of folic acid in cell division increases the need for the vitamin in pregnant and breastfeeding women. According to the National Research Council, USA, pregnant women need 0.4 mg and breastfeeding women 0.26 to 0.28 mg folate per day.

Requirements in sport

400-1000mcg per day, taken several times a day with meals.

Vitamin B9

Vitamin B-Complex · 60 capsules