Folate and aging: Reducing vitamin B9 can help a healthy metabolism
- Folates (vitamin B9) that are important early in life may cause problems in people from middle age onwards, according to a new study.
- The study found that reducing folate consumption in older mice allowed them to switch more easily between day and night metabolic patterns, or from burning fat to burning carbohydrates.
- Although folate is associated with healthy blood, the older mice in the study did not show signs of anemia.
- The study is the first research in this area but follows similar results in yeast cells and worms.
A new study suggests that although consuming folates is considered healthy for everyone – and obviously helps young people – it can cause metabolic problems in older people.
A study of mice from Texas A&M University’s AgriLife Research found that low levels of folates, the natural form of vitamin B9, eased the transition from sleep to wakefulness.
When mice and humans sleep, their metabolism is focused on burning body fat. During the hours of sleep, the job is to burn carbohydrates for the energy needed to carry out the day’s activities.
The current study supports the researchers’ findings in a previous study where they used methotrexate to reduce folate utilization in yeast cells, and also reduced folate uptake in the worm. C. elegans. Both the yeast and the worms lived longer than the controls that consumed the normal amount of folates.
In a recent study, a group of middle-aged mice – 52 weeks – were placed on a normal diet or a diet with folate supplementation.
The researchers found no evidence of anemia in their untreated group, meaning they somehow still had enough red blood cells. They also noted that there was no decreased energy or weight loss. The men in this group were, in fact, heavier than their normal diet counterparts.
The study did not specifically examine the effects of post-life reduction on longevity since all mice were euthanized at 120 weeks. However, both male and female rats were they seem to have a similar life expectancy.
The study was published by Life Science Alliance.
The study’s senior author, Michael Polymenis, PharmD, PhD, who teaches biochemistry and biophysics at Texas A&M, said. Medical News Today“As we age, we cannot quickly switch from one metabolic mode (eg burning fat while we sleep) to another (eg burning carbohydrates when we wake up). Rapid changes are necessary to meet our body’s needs.
Michelle Routhenstein, MS, RD, CDCES, a heart disease prevention expert at EntirelyNourished.com, who was not involved in the study, explained, “During the day when you’re active, the body uses more carbohydrates for energy, with high levels of insulin that facilitate the absorption of glucose. At night, insulin sensitivity decreases, and metabolism goes to the use of stored fat, as the body’s energy decreases, and growth hormone levels increase.
Polymenis said: “As we age, our body is unable to adjust its fuel source to meet changing needs, which can affect overall health and energy.”
Routhenstein emphasized that folates “are important for a variety of bodily functions, including DNA synthesis, cell repair and red blood cell production.”
He noted: “They are especially important during periods of rapid growth, such as pregnancy and infancy, and they support cell function and division in adults while helping to prevent anemia. ”
“Folates are also very important for heart health, especially as we age. Folates reduce homocysteine levels – a risk factor for heart disease – support the repair of vascular tissue, and it can have anti-inflammatory effects,” said Routhenstein.
Other foods that contain folates are:
- asparagus
- avocados
- Brussels sprouts
- peas
- leafy greens
- milk
- liver (avoid if pregnant)
- peas
- spinach
An interesting question raised by the study is whether folate-deprived mice are still able to make enough red blood cells to avoid anemia. “That is a very good question,” said Polymenis.
“It’s important to remember that even though these mice didn’t get folate in their diet, they still had enough folate to maintain red blood cell function. Their folate levels were 30- 40% of those seen in control mice that received folate in their diet,” he said.
The question remains: What is the source of those red blood cells?
“It actually comes from the bacteria in their gut. So, food is not the only source of folate,” Polymenis said.
“Our research also suggests that maintaining a healthy gut microbiome is important, and may be sufficient to ensure adequate levels of vitamins, such as folate, and prevent health problems. beautiful.”
– Michael Polymenis, PharmD, PhD
It is well known that folates are important for nutritional health, at least in young people. It is also important to note that the Polymenis group has worked so far with yeast, worms and mice but has not yet shown their results in humans. That is why he offers a warning.
“We are advocating that there should be no changes in people. Although we believe our study is promising and warrants follow-up, it is relatively small in mice. At this point, it highlights the need for more research before recommending changes to adults,” said Polymenis.
For now, Routhenstein said, “Folate is still important for overall health, including heart health, so it’s important to maintain a high-fat diet.”
“Consulting with a registered dietitian is recommended to keep abreast of new nutritional research and to stay abreast of nutritional guidelines,” he added.
Polymenis suggested a possible way to implement folate reduction for adults if his findings can be confirmed in humans.
Some foods now contain nutritional additives – milk is fortified with vitamin D, and folic acid is added to cereals and bread, for example. He envisioned a time when a folate-reducing supplement could be an easy way to reduce folate intake for middle-aged and older adults who don’t need it.
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