Folate

Question: How does giving someone folate when their B12 is low precipitate fulminant neurological deficit? What is fulminant neurological deficit? Am I right in saying that if I hit someone with folate when their B12 and folate are both low, I can precipitate fulminant neurological deficit? What's the mechanism? What classical symptoms would I get? How about if someone is low in iron and B12, if I hit them with B12 without first correcting iron, will I precipitate fulminant neurological deficit? Thanks.

Answer: exact mechanism is not clear in humans. but has been confirmed in pigs. basically there is change in ratio of melonyl co a and s adenosyl methionine which casues demylination and neurological deficit. however giving iron does not cause such reaction in b12 deficient patietns i am impreseed your question . keep on asking i will try to keep on replying

Question: What is the causes of high serum folate or consequences? High serum folate that is about 10 values higher than the established lab value. Only a reasonable one piece of multivitamin taken a day would that cause high serum folate?

Answer: Hi Rainbowbear. Usually, LOW serum folate is the problem, so a very high reading is a bit unusual. First, anytime a lab test comes back with a very abnormal reading, especially a result that is unexpected, the test should be repeated to rule out a simple laboratory error (they are quite common). Why was your serum folate measured? Are you anemic? A quality multivitamin should not lead to such a high result. However, there is always the possibility that the supplement supplier has massively overloaded the product with excess folate. (Most supplements when tested, do not actually have in them the amounts on the label.) Generally, a high folate status is not toxic. However, I would suggest two caveats to that statement: 1) If a cancerous growth is present, high levels of folate can help to feed the cancer, 2) The 'folate cycle' is a complex biochemical web of various folate metabolites, each of which plays certains roles in the body. It is conceivable that you have a block in the first step of the cycle with a resulting buildup of folate because it cannot be processed passed the blockage. Suggestions: 1) Repeat the lab test to see if the same numbers are generated, 2) If no change in 2nd test results (folate is still very high), stop all vitamin supplements for a month then, again, repeat the test. 3) If test results still too high, test for several 'down-stream' folate metabolites to determine if their is a biochemical blockage. P.S. one last thought, hi folate intakes can mask a vitamin B12 deficiency, which can be very dangerous. Be sure you have a good B12 status (to test for B12 status order homocysteine and methylmalonic acid levels) and take B12 supplements. Best wishes and good luck!

Question: When do you stop taking folate during pregnancy? I have been taking folate daily and im now nearly 13weeks are you suppose to keep taking it or do you stop at some point? Thank you!

Answer: Folate is taken to prevent spina bifida and other types of neural tube disorders where the opening around the spine, brain stem and brain do not close. Taking folate for 12 weeks prior to and 12 weeks after conception actually prevents 70% of these disorders. It is believed that the neural tube closes around week 6 of pregnancy. To be safe they have moms take it through week 12. It is certainly not harmful to take it longer. You should take a prenatal vitamin during pregnancy and these do contain folate or folic acid.

Question: Does tea affect the absorption of folate? I have been taking my folate supplement with tea every morning (white). I read that tea affects the absorption of iron, does anyone know if folate is the same?

Answer: I have heard green tea affects absorption of folic acid.....

Question: Where does folate (vitamin B9) gets absorbed in the body? I know what folate does and the diseases, but I can't find anything about where exactly in the body is it absorbed, and what kind of transport or cofactor is needed for absorption. Does anyone know?

Answer: I'm pretty sure its absorbed by active transport in the intestines like the rest of the water soluble vitamins. From what I recall the only vitamin that has a special transport mechanism is B12, which requires intrinsic factor from the stomach in order to be taken up in the distal ileum. The specific transporter seems to be this one: http://www.uniprot.org/uniprot/Q96NT5 Looks like its coupled to H+, and found in the duodenum. Defects in it cause hereditary folate malabsorbtion.

Question: Pro and Cons of Fortification of Bread with Folate? What are the positives and the Negatives of fortifying bread with Folate What are the positives and the negatives are adding Folate to our bread? What are the positives and the negatives of adding folate to our bread?

Answer: I don't know what that means, but drink Budweiser, the King of Beers!

Question: Why is folate is essential to the developing fetus? And how has the government responded to help alleviate the consequences of dietary deficiencies that may occur?

Answer: the function of and synthesis of dna in cells and replication ,if deficient neural tubal defects may arise

Question: What does it mean to have high folate levels? The referance range olny goes to 17.5 but mine is 19.5 a whole 2.0 above normal. What does this indicate? Could it be a problom?

Answer: Nope, it means you are getting enough folic acid and if you are a woman that is perfect! Don't be alarmed. Pat yourself on the back for getting enough folate in your diet.

Question: What are the benifits and downfalls of increased melanin as it pertains to cholesterol,folate and vitamin d? I coudnt fit the whole question so the last word is production after vitamin D thanks for the help I need help, somebody please help with this question

Answer: Try consulting your doctor for professional advice I wouldn't trust people on YA! for medical advice.

Question: What is the difference between folate and folic acid? Just wondering.

Answer: Folate, also referred to as folic acid or folacin, this vitamin B complex is converted into enzymes that the body needs to make DNA, RNA and red blood cells, and to carry out other important metabolic functions.

Question: Has anybody heard of using vitamin B and folate to prevent Migraines? This has just been released in Australia. I'd be interested to know if anybody has tried this. I'm a Migraine with Aura sufferer.

Answer: There is a new development in migraine therapy: http://www.neurologyreviews.com/feb04/nr_feb04_foramen.html

Question: How does Rubella, lack of folate and lack of iodine influence prenatal development? Please help me, i can't find the answer

Answer: I can talk about rubella (or German measles) from personal experience. My mother had German measles during the first three months of her pregnancy. I could have been born mentally handicapped. I was fairly lucky. My pinky fingers are crooked, the lines in my palms are not M-shaped like most people's, I have scar tissue in my ears that caused hearing loss, and I am blind in one eye as a result of infantile glaucoma. Oh, I'm also gay, but the jury's out on whether prenatal development has any effect on sexual orientation. Civis Romanus

Question: Vegemite has been banned in the US because of folate? What the bloody hell is wrong with folate?

Answer: Apparently if large quantities of folate is ingested it could mask a B12 deficiency particularly in the elderly. A study in 2005 found that if elderly people ingested high amounts of folate (folic acid) it saw there mental capabilities decline more rapidly than seniors that didn't take folate or folic acid supplements. http://odeo.com/audio/2243161/view I personally like the taste of it and eat it regularly with avocado on toast and I'm 42 and still healthy.

Question: How to differentiate folate and vitamin B12 deficiency clinically?

Answer: Left untreated, B12 deficiency will produce neurologic deficits after a while, parathesias in extremities might be noticable before the central nervous sytem abnormalities. Folate deficiency will not

Question: Green tea blocks folate absorption during pregnancy? I just read an article about how the antioxidants in green tea interrupt the way your body absorbs folate. This can result in spina bifida for your unborn baby. Now I'm all freaked out because I drink 2-4 average size cups of green tea daily. I am currently 18.5 weeks pregnant. Is there anyone out there with a reassuring word?

Answer: Call your OB to get his/her opinion on the green tea. I can tell you that I drank tea during my first and she came out just fine. You can get an AFP blood test to check for spina bifida and other birth defects. You need to take it between 15 and 20 weeks so I'd say go take it right away. Just relax and call your doctor. You can't stress about the past - it's the past! Keep a cool head and make your decision how you're going to go forward.

Question: Is there a difference between folate and folic acid? Or is it just another name for it? Because my doc says it's very healthy for girls to take 100% of the daily value of Folic acid a day for their future babies and stuff. Thanks all for the help!!!

Answer: Folate is the natural form of Folic acid. They are basically the same.