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Eating less folate could be an anti-aging booster, but there’s a catch
We are constantly told about the importance of vitamins in our diet, but a recent study shows that eating less of the specific folate vitamin could be an anti-aging booster.
Research suggests that restricting folate (folic acid) intake later in life is not harmful and may even be beneficial towards anti-aging. However, the study was carried out on mice… but it has opened up the conversation and potential for further health studies.
Eating less folate could be an anti-aging booster
Vitamins and minerals are essential for bodily functions such as�helping fight infection, healing wounds, strengthening bones, and regulating hormones, but Better Health Channel states that some vitamins and minerals can cause toxicity if consumed in large amounts.
Folate is a B vitamin essential for cell growth and development and is widely recognized for its role in preventing birth defects. Folic acid is the synthetic version of the vitamin folate, also known as vitamin B9.
Folate is found naturally in foods like leafy greens and is typically added to refined grains. According to Healthline, foods that are high in folate (folic acid) include legumes, nuts, seeds, asparagus, eggs, leafy greens, beets, citrus fruits, broccoli, brussels sprouts, and more.
A study published in Life Science Alliance shows that scientists at Texas A&M AgriLife Research discovered that�reduced folate intake could improve metabolism and promote longevity in older adults.
It challenges the traditional belief that high folate consumption is universally beneficial for health. The research suggests that optimal folate levels might vary with age – advocating for tailored dietary guidelines.
By limiting folate in animal models, the researchers saw a decrease in processes related to growth and building new cells, but enhanced metabolic flexibility, which the principal investigator,�Michael Polymenis PhD, said could lead to healthier aging.
However, the folic acid is still vital for early stages of life and for pregnancy and infants. Whereas, this study looked at how that changes as we grow older.
There’s still a lot we need to learn
To simulate the effects in older adults, the researchers cut folate from the diets of animal models at an age corresponding roughly to human middle age.
So, while the folate studies could lead to further research carried out with humans, they have currently only been performed on mice.
The mouse study suggests restricting folate intake late in life is not harmful and may even be beneficial, but researchers caution that significant limitations include the fact that data was received from one inbred mouse strain and a relatively small sample size.
The study notes that similar experiments in larger, genetically diverse populations are better suited for studying genome-by-diet interactions.
Dr Polymenis clarified that he doesnt recommend avoiding folate entirely: “Based on our findings, we believe older adults may need less folate than theyre likely getting now.
We still have more to investigate in this area, and we would not advocate for absolute dietary eradication for anyone.”
