The Intricate Relationship Between Folate and Age
Folate is crucial for various metabolic and cellular processes, and the way your body processes it is just as significant as the quantity you consume.
Reducing folate intake as you age could potentially lead to improved metabolism and body weight—at least in mice.
In a study published in Life Science Alliance, a folate- and choline-restricted diet was found to boost metabolic rates in middle-aged male mice. In females, this diet improved “metabolic plasticity,” enabling them to switch between burning carbohydrates and fat for energy. All the mice maintained their weight and body composition better than those consuming normal folate levels.
The study’s authors concluded that “a lower folate intake later in life may result in healthier aging.”
However, the story is different for humans. Folate is vital for important metabolic and cellular processes, and when it comes to aging, the way your body metabolizes folate may be just as critical as the amount you obtain from food and supplements.
Folate for Heart Health
Also known as vitamin B9, folate is a water-soluble vitamin essential for DNA synthesis, cell division, red blood cell formation, and maintaining proper levels of homocysteine, an amino acid linked to cardiovascular health.
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