Folate Alzheimer's Disease

Alzheimer's disease is a progressive brain disease for which there is no known cure. Alzheimer's causes memory problems and eventually becomes severe enough to prevent living a normal life. Between 50 and 70 percent of all dementia is caused by Alzheimer's, which is always fatal. The Alzheimer's Association estimates that there are up to 5.3 million Americans suffering from Alzheimer's disease and that it is the seventh highest cause of deaths within America. However, research over the past several decades has provided better insight into preventing Alzheimer's and treating the symptoms.

Folate and Alzheimer's

• A National Institute on Aging study suggests that eating the proper amount of folates can significantly reduce an adult's risk of developing Alzheimer's disease as well as reduce the effects of brain aging.

  These studies suggest that the decrease in risk can be dramatic; adults who consumed 400 micrograms or more of folate daily had a 55 percent reduced risk of developing Alzheimer's. The majority of the adults who ingested 400 mcg or higher were taking a folic acid supplement.

  The Alzheimer's Association agrees that folate, or folic acid, appears to be an important dietary factor in preventing Alzheimer's disease. According to studies by the group, a folate deficiency in the body can deplete choline and increase the toxicity level of beta-amyloids in the brain. Beta-amyloids are a protein fragment that are suspected to be one possible cause of Alzheimer's. Choline helps to maintain cell membrane structure and helps the body to develop neurotransmitters which help brain cells communicate with one another.

What is Folate?

• Folate, or folic acid, is a vitamin B-complex. Folates are made up of three parts: PABA, pteridine and glutamic acid. However, the majority of folates in foods do not contain these three parts in a pure form, and the body can't absorb the vitamin directly from food. Instead, enzymes within the intestines alter folate taken from food to absorb the vitamin into the body. Even in healthy individuals whose body is operating efficiently, only approximately 50 percent of folate ingested in food is absorbed into the body.

Recommended Intake

• Both males and females over the age of 14 should consume 400 micrograms of folate daily to avoid a folate deficiency. It is also essential to consume recommended amounts of vitamins B1, 2, and 3 since these vitamins aid in folate recycling within the body. An insufficient amount of protein can also contribute to a folate deficiency, since protein is necessary for the intestine to properly absorb folates. Smoking and/or drinking coffee or alcohol excessively also contribute to a possible deficiency of folate.

Foods High In Folate

• Certain foods, including romaine lettuce, collard greens, turnip greens, mustard greens, asparagus, spinach, cauliflower, broccoli, parsley, lentils, beets and calf liver, are high in folic acid or folates.

Dietary Supplements

• Folate can be found in vitamins and other dietary supplements. Often, it is called pteroylmonoglutamic acid when listed on the label, as pteroylmonoglutamic acid is the simplest form of folate. Folinic acid is an alternative to folate also found in dietary supplements, which is a form of folate that allows the body to bypass some of the biochemical steps that occur in the intestine when folate is ingested in a pure form.