Nutraceuticals and nootropics for anti-aging

Folic acid finds a role in treating arthritis and preventing strokes

Many people with rheumatoid arthritis are treated with the drug methotrexate, but find the side effects unacceptable. British researchers are now proposing that folic acid supplements can reduce these side effects without compromising the effectiveness of methotrexate.

Link to a news article:

Folic Acid Supplementation Recommended In Methotrexate Treatment Of Rheumatoid Arthritis

Link to medical research paper:

Folate supplementation and methotrexate treatment in rheumatoid arthritis: a review.

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Evidence continues to accumulate that high folic acid intake translates into fewer ischemic strokes (i.e., strokes due to blockage of blood flow). The latest evidence comes from a study of more than 40,000 male US health professionals who were followed for 14 years. Those who used the highest amounts of folic acid supplementation had 29% less risk of ischemic stroke than those who used the lowest amounts.

Link to news article:

More evidence that folic acid reduces risk of ischaemic stroke

Link to research abstract:

Folate, vitamin B6, and B12 intakes in relation to risk of stroke among men.

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It is common in the medical research world for one study to show a positive result while another similar one seems to show just the opposite. In the study mentioned above, folic acid consumption correlated with a lowering of the risk of strokes. Another recent study — of folic acid combined with vitamins B6 and B12 — was terminated early because the participants showed no stroke benefit at all. It has been suggested that this study was rendered invalid by a nationwide fortification of foods with folic acid, which boosted the folic acid consumption of the placebo arm of the study.

Link to a news article:

Vitamins Do Little to Prevent Recurrent Stroke