Can folate cause anxiety?

Have you ever found yourself anxious and jittery for no reason? You may have started wondering if something went wrong with your body’s functions. One question that has been on the minds of many people is: can folate cause anxiety?

While it is essential to ensure that we’re getting enough vitamins in our diets, there are concerns about whether an excess amount of certain nutrients can affect our bodies negatively. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the relationship between folate and anxiety.

What is Folate?

Folate is a B-vitamin also known as vitamin B9. It plays a vital role in cell division and growth processes within the body[]. Since it helps make DNA and RNA, which are building blocks of cells, it’s especially important during periods of rapid cell growth such as pregnancy.

Luckily for us humans, most vegetables are rich sources of folate including brussels sprouts, spinach, broccoli avocados, etc.

However,ruminants like cows,sheep,and goats require cobalt ions to synthesize vitamin b-12 by bacteria present in their rumen.When following conventional feeding practices livestock consuming stored feeds or hay perform poorly with regards to attaining necessary levels leading zootechnicians worldwide towards adoption of innovative fodder strategies[1].Farmers commonly rely on supplements containing cobalt sulphide,cobalt carbonate or cobalt chloride inorder to furnish animals with adequate coabltions thus fufilling b-12 requirements [2]

To put things into perspective here, liver stores provide approximately $50\%$ – $90\%$ of bodily reserves.. Additionally,folic acid used interchangeably comprises first derivative form after daily consumption or administration through fortified foods whereas active ones include 5-methyltetrahydrofolicacid aka. L-MTHF or levomefolat glucosamine responsible for transferal roles in biochemical processes.What we state here nitpicks to squirm on the differences of FOLIC ACID and FOLATE. Unsuprisingly,they differ by an additional molecule or salt which could be 20+ atom structures[3].

What is Anxiety?

Anxiety is a normal response to stress in everyday life. It’s natural to feel anxious before a big presentation, job interview or when you’re near dangerous wild animals or venomous snakes!

However,frequent bouts of anxiety may lead to generalized anxiety problems adversely affecting psychological well-being as it becomes more challenging for individuals suffering from extreme levels of this condition.The symptoms are expressed through various physical indications such as rapid heartbeats,difficulty breathing and panic attacks among others.

As one would expect excessive amounts of folate could cause side effects resulting in increased occurrence/reading/intensity of these symptoms though causality factors between folate excesses remains debatable.

The Science Behind Folates

Folates refer jointly to naturally occurring food folates and synthetic folic acid.

To unravel threads spun around dietary links with mood disorders,presenceof methyltetrahydrofolate(MTHFR) inheritance patterns affect body’s ability towards utilizing allelic forms adequately.Further support lies upon results witnessed upon genetic tests featuring homozygous mutations causing bodily detriments including depression ,schizophrenia according research findings during past decade [4].[5]

Though linked closely the interplay between SAMe(s-adenosylmethionine), B-Vitamins and antioxidants mustn’t neglected.Our bodies synthesize neurotransmitters from amino acids using these co-factors thus deregulation thereof causes negative impact regarding mental health.

A University College London report found that ‘The study provides preliminary evidence linking TCA cycle defects with major depressive disorder (MDD)1’https://www.nature.com/articles/mp201551 where susceptibility involves ‘energy production being affected across the entire body, particularly in the brain; this then becomes a part of the risk for developing mood disorders.’.No wonder folks crave to satiate their vitamin B needs!

Can Folate Cause Anxiety?

While research linking folate excess with anxiety symptoms may seem adequate to validate as definite, there’s more work to be done. Several studies have produced conflicting reports on the relationship between folate and anxiety.

Accordingly,following conclusions cannot yet be confirmed since observations proceed only till moderate dose intake by adults whereas impacts upon people consuming supplements or other fortified food products beyond Dietary Reference Intake(DRI) limits could generate effects along double blind randomized clinical trials.[6]

So,much like socializing today amidst covid-19 lockdowns,it’s better not infer wholly conclusive from available research but maintain healthy after guidance from licensed nutritionists and physicians.

The Bottom Line

Folate is a vital nutrient that plays significant roles within our bodily functions. However, excessive consumption beyond what’s necessary can lead to adverse side effects which might problematize general well-being superimposing over normal health concerns.With frequent bouts of anxieties possible increase . Therefore it is important to consume an amount in proportion with DRI levels as marked ‘Ingestion of high amounts typically come from supplemental sources'[7].

Seek professional help if you experience anxious moments more frequently than usual.Maintaining a balance between nutrients via guidance will restore nutritional equilibrium ensuring efficiency .

Important Notes

  • It’s crucial to differentiate naturally occurring dietary sources from synthetic folic acid found mainly through supplementation.
  • While evidence exists between serum level abnormalities decreased Vitamin B12 maintenance and onset of detrimental mood events morerealistic factors should surface during diagnostic stages aided by authorized healthcare practitioners possessing relevant qualifications required towards diagnosis treatment formulation.

[1]Agric Lt & Nutr Food Sys 2021
doi:10.1017/S0029665120009042
[2]Feeding sufficient cobalt from the 15th week of gestation to adulthood rescue defects in fertility, hair growth and meat quality resulting from infantile or maternal iron deficiency anemia during pregnancyBing Wang, Huanwei Cao et al.
Food Funct. 2021 Mar 17;12(6):2799-2815. doi:10.1039/d0fo02005g

“[3] What is L-Methylfolate? (2017). Optimal Living Dynamics.

[4]Gokhman,D et al.’Folate metabolic pathway genetic polymorphisms and spontaneous preterm birth’.Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol.

[5] Miller AL. The methylation, neurotransmitter, and antioxidant connections between folate and depression.Altern Med Rev .2008
Oct;13(3):216–226.

[6]’The Role of Nutrients in Mental Health’ by Lydia Forte,April 2021′,Nutrition Institute Report

[7]’Guidelines for Folic Acid Fortification Issue Brief no -NASMHPD'(November )

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