Folic Acid And Energy : How Folic Acid Supports Our Mitochondria
Folic acid is fundamental to our overall wellbeing and emerging evidence from research shows that this vitamin could support mitochondria health and energy production.
Vitamin B9 or folic acid is part of the group of water soluble vitamins. You can find this vitamin in large amounts in collard greens, spinach, broccoli, asparagus, meats and melons. Many of these foods are able to directly feed our daily needs of folic acid. Our gut bacteria also produce folic acid. Once eaten conversion to the active form is thought to be dependent on vitamin C levels.
The recommended RDA of folic acid is 400ยตg a day. Supplemental folic acid is used to support some diseases such as anaemia. Chronic deficiency could increase risks of some cancers such as breast or colorectal cancer.
The main role of folic acid is thought be as an important part of DNA production and a regulator of genetic stability. Because of this folic acid may directly influence different mitochondrial genes and mitochondrial performance in energy production. Studies have reported that deficiencies in folic acid occur in some clinical cases of mitochondria disorders.
Here the emerging connection between folic acid or folate levels and mitochondria health will be considered with special attention to influences of folic acid on our energy levels.
Folic Acid And Mitochondria
Our mitochondria are the energy producing elements of our cells and are found throughout the body. They were once a separate lifeform but have grown naturally within our body to exclusively produce energy for us to use. Mitochondria are a core part of our cells and also have their own DNA.
Folic acid is considered to have an important part in DNA production alongside some other vitamins such as vitamin B12. Other DNA related roles of folic acid include support of DNA repair, cell growth support during normal cell division and healthy epigenetic regulation of gene expression. Folic acid also influences red blood cell production. Folic acid is thought to be used completely independently within our mitochondria relative to other important elements of our cells.
Recent research shows that folate may also influence mitochondrial DNA stability and so folic acid may support the optimal health of our mitochondria. Because of the important role of folic acid in DNA production our mitochondria may experience disruptions to essential genes which are needed for their wellness when deficient in folic acid.
These factors show how important folic acid is in supporting the optimal health of our mitochondria. Various studies have found that low brain folate or folic acid levels are implicated in mitochondrial disorders. Research suggests that supplementing with folic acid may be beneficial for some patients with these disorders.
Does Folic Acid Increase Energy Levels
Our mitochondria are really important for optimal energy production and folic acid may therefore support our overall energy levels by protecting the health of our mitochondria. This is how energy levels may be dependent in part on folic acid.
Research seems to suggest that low folate or folic acid levels disrupt essential genes such as cytochrome c oxidase or other really vital elements of the mitochondrial electron transport chain system. Our mitochondria use an electron transport chain system to produce energy for our body and so folic acid could directly influence our energy levels. This may be because of the role of folic acid in healthy DNA production and folic acid deficiency could also result in mitochondrial DNA deletions. Healthy folic acid levels may also encourage mitochondrial replication and growth which could support energy levels.
Disruptions in methionine levels as a result of folic acid deficiency could result in low glutathione peroxidase and glutathione levels. Glutathione peroxidase and glutathione have antioxidant qualities in the right conditions. This means they also support mitochondrial survival and energy production.
Glutathione is particularly important for the elimination of toxins from the body and works as an independent antioxidant. Mitochondrial antioxidant levels are highly important for energy production and sustainability.
Folic acid may also improve production of the amino acid methionine from homocysteine which is essential for protein production. Lower homocysteine levels are associated with improved mitochondria health and lower risk of mental fatigue. High homocysteine levels are linked to reduced telomere length and oxidative stress. Without enough methionine the body does not produce antioxidant gene products such as glutathione very quickly.
Folic Acid Supplements For Fatigue
Various studies support the use of folic acid supplements and maintaining optimal folic acid levels to prevent fatigue. One clinical study showed that most patients with viral caused chronic fatigue had remarkable improvements in symptoms after treatment with folic acid.
Research shows that patients with chronic fatigue syndrome are often deficient in folic acid. Another study showed that a supplement complex containing folic acid could also reduce physical fatigue after exercise.
Many studies point out that folic acid seems to improve red blood cell production and could therefore also support fatigue reduction this way. Improved circulation and red blood cell counts naturally increase nutrient or oxygen supply to cells which may reduce feelings of fatigue.
Emerging research shows folic acid could increase levels of important genes needed to support healthy mitochondrial energy production and that this may reduce cognitive decline during Alzheimer’s disease. Other studies support this and show that folic acid reduces mitochondria oxidative stress during toxin stress.
Antioxidant superoxide dismutase and glutathione levels are thought to be influenced by folic acid and may be how this effect is achieved. These could be very important means as to how folic acid may enhance overall ATP or energy production from our mitochondria and prevent disfunction.
Overall the research suggests that our mitochondria may be influenced by levels of folic acid and folic acid could therefore support health energy levels.
Summary
Folic acid has been shown by emerging research to be implicated in energy production and mitochondria health.
Folic acid is a water soluble vitamin found in collard greens, spinach, meats and asparagus. Our bodies need around 400ยตg of folic acid a day and chronic deficiency may increase risk of some cancers.
Folic acid is an important B vitamin which plays a role in DNA synthesis within the body. Our energy producing mitochondria use folic acid independently within our cells. The body also used folic acid to make methionine which is needed for protein synthesis. Folic acid influences the production of mitochondrial DNA and proteins. Folic acid may therefore affect mitochondrial performance in energy production.
Low folic acid levels could disrupt important elements of the electron transport chain system which are needed for energy production. Folic acid promotes improved levels of important energy production supporting genes include glutathione. Glutathione is an antioxidant which also supports mitochondrial health.
This B vitamin supports genetic stability and folic acid deficiencies may cause mitochondrial DNA losses. Folic acid is very important for mitochondrial growth and replication. These processes may also support healthy energy production.
Clinical studies and research show that supplements containing folic acid may reduce or prevent fatigue. This includes viral induced fatigue. Many studies highlight the role of folic acid in fatigue prevention through the production of oxygen carrying red blood cells.
Overall the research shows that our mitochondria may be influenced by levels of folic acid and folic acid could therefore support optimal energy levels.
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