Folate Reduction Could Lead to Healthier Metabolisms in Aging Animals
Texas A&M AgriLife Scientists Make Breakthrough Discovery
Study Published in Life Science Alliance
A new study from Texas A&M AgriLife Research suggests that reducing folate intake later in life could lead to healthier metabolisms in aging animals.
Folate is a B vitamin that is essential for a variety of bodily functions, including cell growth and division, DNA synthesis, and the production of red blood cells. However, previous research has shown that high levels of folate can also be harmful, increasing the risk of certain cancers and other health problems.
The new study, published in the journal Life Science Alliance, found that decreasing folate intake can support healthier metabolisms in aging mice. The researchers found that mice that were fed a low-folate diet had lower levels of a metabolite called S-adenosylhomocysteine (SAH), which is associated with aging and age-related diseases.
"Our findings suggest that reducing folate intake later in life could be a potential strategy for promoting healthy aging," said Dr. Dean Jones, a professor in the Texas A&M AgriLife Department of Nutrition and Food Science and one of the authors of the study.
The researchers emphasize that more research is needed to confirm the findings of the study in humans and to determine the optimal folate intake levels for older adults.
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