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Folate, the obscure member of the B vitamin, may not be mentioned in your daily life, but it has a profound impact on the health of the elderly. Especially for those elderly friends with high blood pressure problems, the correct folic acid supplement strategy can not only improve heart and brain health, but also reduce the risk of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. So, how can the elderly supplement folic acid reasonably?
Folic acid, another name for vitamin B9, was originally first isolated from green leafy vegetables. Reasonable folic acid supplementation in the elderly can obtain three major benefits. First of all, folic acid can effectively reduce homocysteine levels and reduce cardiovascular and cerebrovascular risks in patients with "H hypertension". Elevated homocysteine can cause inflammation in the vascular endothelium, affect lipid metabolism, promote thrombosis, and increase the risk of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. The active metabolite of folic acid in the body, 5-methyltetrahydrofolate, is the key to the further metabolism of homocysteine, folate deficiency is one of the main reasons for the elevation of homocysteine, therefore, through reasonable folic acid supplementation, homocysteine levels can be reduced, reduce the risk of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. In addition, folic acid deficiency can also affect nervous system health and increase the risk of Alzheimer's. Therefore, reasonable folic acid supplementation can prevent and reduce the occurrence of Alzheimer's disease. In addition, folic acid also helps older men maintain vitality, reduce dysfunction, and improve quality of life. Folic acid is also beneficial in improving related disorders by improving homocysteine metabolism.
There are four key points for proper folic acid supplementation in older adults. First of all, supplementation should be tailored to individual circumstances. Older people should determine whether folic acid supplementation is required on a case-by-case basis. People with high blood pressure and high homocysteine problems should have serum folate levels measured, and if they are below the normal range, increased folate intake should be considered. People with digestive disorders or chronic alcohol abuse, as well as individuals with deficiencies in folate metabolism genes, should also be concerned about folate supplementation.
Secondly, the way of folic acid supplementation needs to be carefully selected. If there are no absorption metabolic problems, a balanced dietary intake of enough folic acid is a good choice. Folic acid is abundant in foods such as vegetables, fruits, grains, legumes, and seafood. If you really need supplements, it is recommended to choose 0.4mg of folic acid per tablet and take 1-2 tablets daily. Long-term excessive folic acid supplementation may mask anemia caused by vitamin B12 deficiency, so use high-dose folic acid tablets with caution.
Third, replenishment should be carried out in a long-term balance. Studies have shown that the homocysteine-lowering and cardiovascular and cerebrovascular risk effects of folic acid require several years of continuous supplementation.
Finally, in most cases, folic acid supplementation alone may not be sufficient. Homocysteine metabolism involves a variety of B vitamins, such as vitamin B6, vitamin B12, vitamin B2, and betaine. Comprehensive regulation of homocysteine levels requires a combination of these vitamins and compounds.
In summary, older adults should be concerned about folic acid intake, especially those with hypertension and elevated homocysteine. The correct way to supplement folic acid includes supplementation according to individual circumstances, choosing the appropriate dose, adhering to long-term supplementation, and considering a combination of other related vitamins. Through scientific and reasonable folic acid supplementation, the elderly can better maintain their heart and brain health, reduce the risk of disease, and improve their quality of life.
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