A new research found out that low levels of folic acid in the blood is linked to age-related hearing loss in the elderly.

A common fact of life is this:  Ageing is inevitable. As a person gets older, the body undergoes changes as well – the skin starts to sag; vision may deteriorate with cataracts or age-related macular degeneration;  the sense of taste is affected, making everything seem to bland; joints become painful causing difficulty in moving about; cognitive skills may go downhill and hearing is less accurate.  These are just some of the examples of conditions associated with ageing, and there are many more left out.  Because of these changes, the person’s quality of life may greatly suffer.  The person starts to lose his much-valued independence especially in doing activities of daily living.  As such, his quality of life is compromised.

The loss of hearing is one of the major health concerns which have affected the public all over the world.  In fact, just in the United States alone, greater than 28 million Americans, whose ages are between 60 and 75, are diagnosed with age-related hearing loss – and they have no other choice but to deal with their loss.  However, even though the prevalence of impaired hearing is high, the organic basis of age-related hearing loss remains to be unknown.

The Link between Age-Related Hearing Loss and Folic Acid

A recent study was conducted in order to help find the answers regarding age-related hearing loss (ARHL). In the study, 126 Nigerian women and men ages 60 years old and above, were asked to participate in the study where they were interviewed face-to-face by a group of researchers and were then asked to undergo examination conducted by physicians.  All 126 participants had no known health conditions during the study and those who were discovered to have a history of ear surgery, ear trauma, ear infections, ear diseases, hypertension, stroke and diabetes were excluded from the study. Participants who were also exposed to ototoxic drugs such as diuretics, antibiotics and aminoglycosides, and those who had prolonged exposure to noise, were exempted from participating.

The author of the study, Akeem Olawale Lasisi, MBChB, FWACS, FMCORL, said that the findings of their study showed that low levels of folic acid present in an elderly person’s serum is significantly linked to high frequency hearing loss.  Low serum levels of folic acid are expected from the study population because they do not get enough medical attention than they deserve, according to the authors.  There is a need, therefore, to conduct more studies regarding the role that vitamins play when it comes to auditory function, especially in developing countries where there is a widespread case of malnutrition. The result of the study was published in Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery’s December 2010 issue.

The authors emphasized that folate’s role in the functions of the vascular system, the nervous system and in cellular metabolism are essential in order for the auditory system to function well.

What is Folate?

Folate, otherwise known as vitamin B9, is a form of vitamin that is naturally found in some forms of food.  Before we all get confused about which term to use, here is one differentiating factor: Folate is naturally-made, while folic acid is synthetic, or man-made.  Folic acid is the one that is contained in supplements. The difference between the two, however, does not end here.  The body uses folate and folic acid differently in such a way that the body only uses and absorbs SOME of the folate, while it COMPLETELY uses and absorbs folic acid.

What does Folate, and Folic Acid, do?

Folate, and folic acid, is important inside the body.  It is involved in several physiological processes that helps maintain good health.

• For one, it helps in the production and the maintenance of new cells.  This is significantly valuable in periods where rapid cell division and cell growth occurs such as pregnancy and infancy. Physicians are constantly emphasizing the need for pregnant women to consume folic acid since this helps prevent congenital birth defects such as cleft lip, cleft palate, Spina Bifida and other defects of the neural tube.
• Another important function of folate is that it is needed in order to create the building blocks of cells known as DNA and RNA.  It is also essential in preventing DNA changes that may result to the development of cancer such as cancers of the cervix, colon and lungs.
• Children and adults alike require folate in order to produce normal and healthy red blood cells thereby preventing anemia.
• In addition, folate is vital for homocysteine metabolism, degradation and elimination.  Homocysteine is an amino acid that is present in the blood and is said to be toxic.   High level of homocysteine is a risk factor for peripheral vascular disease, stroke and coronary heart disease. The absence, or the lack of, folate may significantly increase the person’s risk for developing such medical conditions.
• Folic acid is also important in promoting and maintaining brain health, helping enhance a person’s mental and cognitive skills.
• It is also said to help promote healthier skin.
• Folic acid helps improve appetite and is also responsible for stimulation the production of essential stomach acids that helps with digestion.  It also helps maintain good liver health, protects the intestines from parasites, and helps prevent food poisoning.

Dietary sources of Folic Acid

Aside from taking folic acid supplements, eating certain types of food may also help improve the levels of folic acid inside the body.  The good news is that, you do not have to look long and hard in order to find these foods since they can be found at your local grocer’s shop.  All you have to do is to choose carefully and then you may start eating your way to good health.

Here are some of the foods that are considered to be rich sources of folic acid:

• Beef liver
• Cowpeas
• Spinach
• Asparagus
• Green peas
• Broccoli
• Avocado
• Peanuts
• Wheat germ
• Romaine lettuce
• Tomato juice
• Turnip greens
• Eggs
• Cantaloupe
• Raw papaya
• Raw banana

Sources
wordconstructions.com
vitamins-supplements.org
ods.od.nih.gov
eurekalert.org

“The mother serves as the environment of the child as the embryo forms,” said the study’s project leader Régine Steegers-Theunissen, MD, PhD, of the Erasmus MC University Medical Center in Rotterdam.

“Both genetic and environmental factors, such as nutrition and lifestyle, play important roles in the prevention or development of congenital heart defects.”

The study, which was published in the December 2006 European Journal of Nutrition involved 192 mothers of children with CHD and 216 mothers of children without CHD being surveyed. The findings indicate that CHD was linked to low intake of B12. Moreover, in women with the lowest intake of B12 the level of risk was doubled.

“In this study we demonstrated for the first time that a low maternal dietary vitamin B12 intake is associated with an approximately twofold increased risk of having a baby with a congenital heart defect.”

Dr. Steegers-Theunissen stated, “Women who are planning a pregnancy should consume a diet rich in [folic acid] and vitamin B12, and if not possible should use a low-dose vitamin supplement containing both folic acid and vitamin B12.”

Aside from the risk of CHD, the women with low B12 levels also tended to have high levels of homocysteine according to the study. Homocysteine is a substance that raises the risk of heart disease and birth defects but can be controlled with adequate supplementation of folic acid and vitamin B12.

Frank Mangano’s commentary:

For a good dose of folic acid, turn to green veggies like kale, spinach, beans, and collard greens and fruits like oranges. You can find vitamin B12 in eggs and fish.

As always, quality is just as important as quantity. While the first step for many pregnant woman is to realize that B12 supplementation is just as important as folic acid when it comes prenatal nutrition, it is equally if not more important to get good sources of B12.

Many people consume a toxic form of the vitamin that is found in many cheap multivitamin products called cyanocobalamin. When shopping for B12, always be sure that methylcobalamin and hydroxycobalamin are in the ingredients list.

Folks, the bottom line here is that ALL B vitamins, including folic acid, should be increased during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

What prompted the study was the notice that officials from Toronto’s Hospital for Sick Children took regarding a drop in neuroblastomas five years ago, following the Canadian government’s requirement for flour manufacturers to add folic acid to their product in 1998.

Some of the conclusions regarding folic acid were as follows:

Chances of leukemia in children were lowered by 39 percent and risk of a child developing a brain tumor was reduced by 27 percent. Neuroblastoma, which attacks the nervous system risk, was lowered by 49 percent. Risk of developing spina bifida, a spinal condition, was lowered by a staggering 80 percent through supplementation with folic acid.

“To our amazement and surprise, all available studies today from different parts of the world … showed a similar trend (to the one in Ontario),” Koren told the Toronto Star.

Frank Mangano’s commentary:

In many cases, birth defects can be prevented if the right steps are taken during pregnancy. By participating in a wholesome regimen which includes supplements like folic acid and omega-3 fatty acids, chances of birth defects can be greatly reduced and the health of newborns can be greatly increased.

Don’t rely on your doctor for everything. While he or she may play an important role in the delivery of the baby, their knowledge when it comes to carry him or her may be limited. Can you believe that most doctors still don’t advise pregnant women to stay away from hydrogenated oils, MSG and artificial sweeteners?

Knowledge is key. You must take the necessary steps to educate yourself on the facts backing the benefits associated with taking natural supplements such as folic acid as well as vitamin D, zinc and magnesium, which most pregnant women are deficient in.