Folic Acid Supports Balanced Blood Sugar Metabolism

A recent double-blind randomized controlled clinical trial indicates that folic acid supports blood sugar metabolism balancing in individuals with suboptimal blood sugar metabolism. Folic acid is a water-soluble B vitamin required for the production of DNA and RNA, the genetic material within cells.

This study included 48 overweight men with suboptimal blood sugar metabolism with an average age of 58 years and an average body mass index (BMI) of 28.6. The subjects received 5 mg per day of folic acid or a placebo for 8 weeks. The men were assessed for folic acid and vitamin B12 levels, fasting blood glucose, serum insulin and hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), which is a measurement of blood sugar control over the previous 3 months. Additionally, the subjects were evaluated for insulin sensitivity and plasma homocysteine, which is an amino acid associated with suboptimal cardiovascular health and related to folic acid and vitamin B12 levels.

The study found that folic acid supplementation resulted in more balanced HbA1c and fasting blood glucose levels. Folic acid intake also supported healthy insulin metabolism by 20.5 percent and plasma homocysteine by 21.2 percent. Serum folate increased by 19 percent and vitamin B12 increased by 17.3 percent with folic acid supplementation compared to no change in levels in the placebo group.

The study authors concluded that folic acid supplementation supports balanced blood sugar metabolism and homocysteine levels in individuals with suboptimal blood sugar metabolism.

Reference:

Gargari BP, Aghamohammadi V, Aliasgharzadeh A. Effect of folic acid supplementation on biochemical indices in overweight and obese men with type 2 diabetes. Diabetes Res Clin Pract. 2011 Jul 27. Published Online Ahead of Print.