Health And Fitness News 

Folic Acid And Liver Health

Folate is usually spoken of in the same breath as pregnant women in the more health aware. But this B vitamin has a lot of other benefits, including the possibility that it may help prevent liver damage and even liver cancer.

Folic acid is part of the group of B vitamins. These B vitamins have quite a range of effects, and are particularly good in times of stress. Folic acid is actually the synthetic form of folate. It is this molecule that is added to fortified food and supplements. Folate is the natural form, found in leafy green vegetables, sunflower seeds, dried legumes like lentils and chick peas, and even liver! That's a good a reason as any to snack on some great pate from the local deli!

The importance of folate in preventing neural tube defects in unborn babies is well established, hence its' association with pregnancy. However, some interesting research has just emerged from China. A study, conducted by researchers affiliated with the National Cancer Institute, a number of international hospitals and medical schools, and universities, found evidence that higher levels of folate were associated with a lower incidence of liver damage and liver cancer.

The study was conducted with 412 people with hepatitis B. They were chosen because they have a higher risk of developing liver damage. The study went for 4 years. Liver damage was measured by the presence of the enzyme, alanine aminotransferase (ALT) in the blood. ALT is found in small amounts in the blood of people with healthy livers. When liver damage occurs, ALT is released into the blood in large amounts.

Researchers found when people had higher levels o0f folate in their red blood cells, the levels of ALT were correspondingly lower. At the point with the highest average of folate, ALT levels were 14% lower compared with those who had the least average level.

In terms of liver cancer, amongst these subjects, the risk was 67% less for those people with the highest folate levels in their blood.

Because this was only a small study, and on a fairly specialist group of people (those with hepatitis B), more research is definitely needed. However, if supported in future studies, folate could become a powerful nutritional tool in liver health.