Why take Folic Acid with DHA?

The basic mechanism of action underlying folic acid is its role in cellular division and DNA synthesis. Without folic acid cells do not divide properly. Folic acid is critical in the nervous system development of the foetus and for healthy red blood cell production. Folate is also required for the regeneration of methionine from homocysteine and plays a key role as a ‘methyl-donor’.

What can Folic Acid and DHA help with?

NEURAL TUBE PROTECTION –

Folic acid supplementation of 400mcg daily in early pregnancy has been shown to reduce the incidence of neural tube defects by 48% to 80%. Numerous studies have suggested that it would appear prudent to utilise folic acid pre- conceptually and throughout pregnancy. The Government’s Chief Medical Officer recommends all women to supplement with 400ug daily from 12 weeks prior to conception.

CARDIOVASCULAR PROTECTION –

Folic acid plays a key role in protecting the cardiovascular system by regulating body concentrations of homocysteine, an intermediate in the conversion of the amino acid methionine to cysteine. The lower the folic acid intake the higher homocysteine levels rise increasing the risk of atherosclerosis (artery furring). Homocysteine would appear to promote atherosclerosis by directly damaging the artery and reducing the integrity of the vessel wall. Elevated levels of homocysteine are found in 20% to 40% of patients with heart disease.

DEPRESSION –

Folic acid exerts a mild anti-depressant effect and correcting deficiency has brought about dramatic results in mental and psychological symptoms in patients, especially the elderly suffering from impaired mental function. Its anti-depressant effects are due to its function as a methyl donor and increasing the brain content of serotonin, SAM (S- adenosyl-methionine), and BH4 (tetrahydrobiopterin). BH4 functions as an essential coenzyme in the activation of enzymes that manufacture monoamine neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine from their corresponding amino acids. E.g. tryptophan > 5HTP > serotonin.

OSTEOPOROSIS –

Elevated levels of homocysteine in the blood of postmenopausal women have an adverse effect on collagen cross-linking, leading to defective bone matrix development. Given that osteoporosis is a condition characterised by both a loss of the protein structure and well as the mineral content of the bone it is likely that the homocysteine theory carries validity. Folic acid supplementation has been shown to lower homocysteine levels in postmenopausal women even when their folic acid status was within the normal range.

What is Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA)?

• Docosahexaenoic acid (C22:6, DHA) is a highly unsaturated omega-3 fatty acid that forms part of the central nervous and visual system structures. DHA is synthesized from its precursor, alpha-linolenic acid that is also an omega-3 fatty acid and can be obtained from vegetable oils. Marine organisms, especially fish, are good nutritional sources of DHA and Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), another omega- 3 fatty acid that has a role in vascular homeostasis. DHA increases membrane fluidity, improving neurogenesis, synaptogenesis and the activity of retinal photoreceptors. The foetus has high DHA requirements particularly during the last trimester of pregnancy.

What can DHA help with?

EYE HEALTH -

DHA is essential for eye and brain development. It is an important dietary nutrient for infants. DHA comprises about 60% of the rod outer segments of the eyes. The percentage of DHA in retinal tissue increases rapidly in the last half of pregnancy. Cell membranes of the retina and visual cortex, highly enriched in DHA, develop rapidly during the last trimester -- the period of most rapid eye development -- and in the first 6 months of infancy.

BRAIN DEVELOPMENT -

Beyond development, the eyes and the brain need plentiful stores of DHA to function optimally. Cells in the retina, brain and other parts of the nervous system have connecting arms that transport electrical currents, sending visual information from the retina to the brain and messages from the brain throughout the body. DHA supplementation ensures the optimal composition of cell membranes necessary for the most effective transmission of these signals.

MENTAL FUNCTION -

Studies have shown that pre-term infants, born without the benefit of the maternal delivery of DHA during the period of most rapid brain growth in the last trimester of pregnancy, did not perform as well on cognitive mental tests later in life (by up to 20 IQ points) as those who were breast-fed. Specific behavioural and learning problems have also been shown to correlate significantly with low DHA levels.

DYSLEXIA -

Dyslexia, a learning disorder marked by impairment of the ability to recognize and comprehend written words, has been correlated with sub optimal DHA levels. Stordy (1995) reported that DHA supplementation in adult dyslexics improved rod dark adaptation or night vision. Stordy also reported anecdotal evidence that DHA supplementation improves dyslexics’ reading ability and behaviour.

ATTENTION DEFICIT HYPERACTIVITY DISORDER -

Children with ADHD also have low DHA levels and experience essential fatty acid deficiency symptoms including hyperactivity and short attention span. Studies are under way to determine whether DHA supplementation can alleviate these symptoms.

• Dosage

  Folic acid: 400mcg daily.

  DHA: Supplementation of DHA up to several grams has been used in chronic conditions. For health maintenance purposes lower levels are utilised. Optimal levels of intake for DHA are difficult to equate but healthy traditional diets would indicate a level of 2-2.5% of calories from omega 3 fatty acids.

  Potential applications

  The main applications of folic acid are prevention of neural tube defects, atherosclerosis (reduces elevated homocysteine levels), osteoporosis, and cervical dysplasia. Other applications include depression, anaemia, crohn’s disease, fatigue, restless leg syndrome, epilepsy, fatigue, and infertility.

  DHA is particularly needed in eye and brain development. Other applications include – cardiovascular protection including cholesterol and triglyceride reduction, rheumatoid arthritis and other auto-inflammatory disorders, behavioural disorders such as ADHD, and mental function. DHA deficiency plays an important role in a group of congenital diseases called peroxisomal disorders, which damage the protective covering (myelin) around the nerves.

  Known contraindications

  High doses of folic acid should be used with caution in epileptics as it may increase the risk of seizures.
  Those on diabetic or cardiovascular medication should consult their doctor prior to supplementing DHA or other omega-3 fatty acids at levels more than 3 or 4 grams of fish oil (or equivalent).

  Interactions

  Folic acid works together with vitamin B12, B12, SAM, and choline.
  Oral contraceptives, anti-convulsant, alcohol, various chemotherapy drugs, sulfasalazine, and barbiturates, all interfere with folic acid absorption or function.
  DHA is commonly found along with EPA in fish oils. The use of vitamin E supplementation concurrently may help protect DHA from oxidation.