Folinic Acid

What are the Benefits of Folinic Acid?

Because of the properties listed above, folinic acid is a vital contributor to our overall health. While it contributes broadly toward many important functions across our physiology, it also plays specific roles and supplies certain benefits including:

• Rectifying deficient B9 intake – low levels of vitamin B9 can contribute to multiple factors that affect our daily life. Those deficient in B9 may experience tiredness, anger, anxiety, depression, and trouble sleeping among other issues. Folinic acid from food sources and supplements may help balance B9 levels and reduce these undesired symptoms.
• Healthy pregnancy – vitamin B9 is credited for preventing neural tube defects such as anencephaly and spina bifida during pregnancy. 
• Reduced depression and anxiety – folinic acid contributes toward the production of dopamine, melatonin, and serotonin. These chemicals work in the brain to affect our mood as well as combat mental disorders such as anxiety and depression.
• Moderate homocysteine – an abundance of homocysteine can lead to migraine headaches and other sensitivities. Along with vitamins B6 and B12, folinic acid enables the metabolism of homocysteine so that the conditions that result in migraines can be reduced.
• Increased blood flow – similar to the effects when reducing homocysteine above, folinic acid helps reduce negative effects on the lining in our blood vessels, improving blood flow and generating multiple benefits.

Where Can I Get Folinic Acid?

Folinic acid is a component of many fortified foods such as cereals and dairy products. However, we can find sufficient levels of this naturally occurring nutrient in many food sources. Typically, plant foods provide more of this nutrient than meat sources with two exceptions – beef liver and eggs (if the laying chickens eat grasses and leafy greens – otherwise, factory-produced eggs provide little folinic acid benefit). For foods high in folinic acid, look for:

• Beef liver
• Eggs (from chickens fed on grasses and leafy greens)
• Legumes (beans, peas, lentils)
• Asparagus
• Green vegetables (arugula, kale, spinach)
• Beets

Not only are these food sources high in folinic acid, but they also provide other necessary nutrients that provide a stable foundation for health.

Does Folinic Acid Produce any Side Effects?

Most side effects from folinic acid are dose-dependent, meaning the risk increases with the level of supplement taken. Some of the side effects below occur only at extremely high doses of folinic acid:

• Declined mental state – supplemental doses of folinic acid may lead to mood swings and emotional instability.
• Masked vitamin B12 deficiency – intake of folinic acid may mask a deficiency in B12 that could lead to neurological damage. Accordingly, it is wise to monitor levels of B12 when using folinic acid supplements.
• B9 toxicity – though toxicity is rare, high doses of folinic acid may contribute toward vitamin B9 toxicity and related health concerns including mental health decline and increased likelihood of cancer recurrence.

What are the Symptoms of Low Folinic Acid?

When we don’t receive enough folinic acid – either from our diet or from supplements – we can experience symptoms indicating a low level of this critical nutrient. When our levels are low, we may experience one or more of the following:

• Fatigue and weakness
• Dizziness
• Shortness of breath
• Memory loss
• Difficulty concentrating
• Depression
• Anxiety

Of course, these symptoms are not attributable solely to a folinic acid deficiency. They may be indicative of other health concerns as well.

How Can I Know if I am Getting Enough Folinic Acid?

It can be difficult to know if you are getting sufficient folinic acid. However, if you are experiencing any of the symptoms above, we encourage you to contact us to explore the root cause of your condition. It may be related to folinic acid, or it could be associated with another dietary or health condition.

Our staff at Bridgepoint Clinic has years of experience diagnosing and distinguishing between mental health and physical/dietary conditions. We know you want to experience a healthy life, and we are ready to uncover what is preventing you from enjoying the best life you can live. 

Contact us today to set up an initial screening with one of our experienced team members. We will determine the appropriate tests and procedures to identify what is keeping you from your optimal condition. We will then work with you to determine a course of action to get your body on track to support a healthy lifestyle.

Don’t deprive yourself of the robust life you want and deserve – contact us today to begin the process toward a superior lifestyle.

Primary sources:

https://www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-1017/folic-acid

https://supplewiki.com/folinic-acid/

https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements-folate/art-20364625

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Folinic_acid

https://www.naturalchemist.com.au/folinic-acid-whats-all-the-fuss-about/

https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/22198-folate-deficiency

https://www.autismspeaks.org/science-news/folinic-acid-improves-communication-eases-autism-symptoms-small-study

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