We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Diet

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What is the Relationship Between Vitamin B12 and Folate?

By Jennifer Hicks
Updated: Mar 03, 2024
Views: 13,887
Share

The relationship between vitamin B12 and folate can be beneficial or detrimental depending on the levels of each in the blood. Studies have shown that an imbalance in vitamin B12 and folate intake or absorption can affect several body systems and promote or mask disease, particularly when blood levels of vitamin B12 are low and folate levels are high. Cognitive difficulties, cardiovascular disease risk, and a type of anemia have been associated with an imbalance in vitamin B12 and folate.

When difficulties arise from a blood imbalance in vitamin B12 and folate, they typically manifest in the elderly as problems with memory, visual-spatial skills, and maintaining attention. These problems develop when those over the age of 60 have low vitamin B12 levels and high folate levels. Conversely, when seniors have normal B12 levels and high or normal folate levels, they tend to score better on cognitive testing.

Anemia has been found more often in seniors with low vitamin B12 and high folate in the blood. There is also a folate deficiency anemia, however, for which doctors often prescribe large amounts of folic acid, the synthetic form of folate. Before offering folic acid supplementation for anemia, doctors should determine which type is being treated, as high doses of folic acid can mask a vitamin B12 deficiency and allow that untreated deficiency to cause neurological damage in the patient.

On the positive side, there is some evidence that taking vitamin B12 and folic acid together can decrease homocysteine levels in the blood. As an amino acid used by the body to make certain proteins, homocysteine in elevated concentrations is associated with an increased risk of stroke, heart disease, and Alzheimer’s disease. In some studies, researchers have found that adding vitamin B6 to vitamin B12 and folic acid supplementation can help lower homocysteine levels.

Deficiencies in vitamin B12 and folate can be caused by some medications. Oral contraceptives, some antibiotics, and estrogen supplements can decrease blood levels of vitamin B12. Other medications, including large doses of aspirin and ibuprofen, blood pressure drugs, anticonvulsants, and anti-ulcer preparations, can inhibit the absorption of folate. Methotrexate, a drug used to treat autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, psoriasis, and scleroderma, is also known to inhibit folate absorption.

There are additional reasons why vitamin B12 and folate levels can vary from normal. Some diseases can cause malabsorption of both nutrients, including alcoholism, celiac disease, and Crohn’s disease. Vitamin B12 and folate malabsorption also can be caused by aging, gastric inflammation, and tapeworm infections.

Share
The Health Board is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Discussion Comments
By b12patch — On Mar 23, 2011

Thanks for the informative article- it's important to raise awareness for vitamin B-12 deficiency, particularly since it is so often misdiagnosed.

I would just like to add that some people are biologically unable to utilize B-12 naturally because they lack "intrinsic factor," an essential antibody for digesting vitamin B-12.

In such cases, a B-12 supplement is absolutely mandatory in order to avoid B-12 deficiency.

Thanks for allowing my comments. --L. Socher

Share
https://www.thehealthboard.com/what-is-the-relationship-between-vitamin-b12-and-folate.htm
Copy this link
The Health Board, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

The Health Board, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.