Ingredient challenges: Folate Not Just for Babies Anymore
Folate has many roles, but transfer of methyl groups to amino acids and DNA are critical. Homocysteine's methylation to methionine is impaired even without overt folate deficiency, so homocysteine levels rise in the bloodstream. It is a marker of heart disease risk on par with elevated cholesterol and also is linked with cancer, dementia and Alzheimer's disease.
Elevated homocysteine levels may render the brain vulnerable to age-related neurodegenerative disorders by subjecting cerebral vessels and neurons to damage caused by oxidative stress seen in Alzheimer's and some dementias.18 19 20 Folate helps to protect against these destructive oxidations, and higher intakes were associated with improved brain function in the free-living elderly.21 Unfortunately, existing dementia was not impacted by folate supplementation.22 Folate deficiency in experimental animals makes them more prone to Parkinson's disease.23