High-dose 5-methyltetrahydrofolate Studied for Blood Pressure Reduction and Oxidative Stress
Supplementation with the active form of folate resulted in decreased oxidative stress and nocturnal blood pressure, according to a study epublished in June 2014. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) state that approximately one in three adults have high blood pressure, which is 67 million Americans.
The researchers evaluated 30 healthy post-menopausal women not currently taking hormone therapy. They randomly assigned the women to receive 15 mg per day of 5-methyltetrahydrofolate, the active form of folate, or placebo daily for three weeks. The investigators assessed oxidant effects using the whole-blood free oxygen radicals test (FORT) and the free oxygen radical defense (FORD) test. The investigators also measured lipids, glucose, insulin, insulin resistance using the homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), homocysteine, and blood pressure.
As FORT increased, the day-night difference in blood pressure and mean blood pressure decreased. 5-methyltetrahydrofolate supplementation reduced FORT and increased FORD, indicating reduced oxidative stress. The data also showed that 5-methyltetrahydrofolate decreased insulin, insulin resistance, and homocysteine, an amino acid related to cardiovascular disease. Additionally, supplementation with 5-methyltetrahydrofolate decreased the nighttime mean and diastolic blood pressure by about 5 mmHg. Also, the data showed that the FORT reduction with 5-methyltetrahydrofolate related to the amplification of the nighttime decline of mean and diastolic blood pressure and to the amplification of the day-night difference of diastolic blood pressure.
The investigators concluded, “Present data show a clear reduction of oxidative stress during 5-methyltetrahydrofolate administration and a strong correlation between this decrease and the nocturnal decline of blood pressure. The possible link between the two is worthy to be explored.”
Reference:
Cagnacci A, et al. Eur J Nutr. 2014 Jun 8.
