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Introduction
Folate (also known as vitamin B9) actually relates to a collection of folates; both natural dietary folates and synthetic forms, primarily folic acid. This folate/folic acid that is consumed via the diet or supplementation is a precursor for the formation of tetrahydrofolate (THF), which is a carbon donor and acts a cofactor for a number of enzymes that play important roles in several processes.
In this episode, Alan and Danny discuss the role of folate in the methlyation cycle, the impact of folate insufficiency/deficiency, genetics variants of the MTHFR gene (and other genes) that impact folate metabolism, and the impact of folate on health outcomes; including heart disease, birth defects, cancer, and brain health & cognition.
Related resources
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- Become a member of Alan Flanagan’s Alinea Nutrition Education Hub
- Enroll in the next cohort of our Applied Nutrition Literacy course
- What is Folate?
- Dietary Folate Equivalents (DFEs)
- One-Carbon Metabolism & the Folate Cycle
- Folate Deficiency
- Genetic Variants
- Neural Tube Defects
- Other Pregnancy Outcomes
- Cardiovascular Disease
- Cancer
- Cognitive Impairment
The Hosts
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Dr. Alan Flanagan has a PhD in nutrition from the University of Surrey, where his doctoral research focused on circadian rhythms, feeding, and chrononutrition.
This work was based on human intervention trials. He also has a Masters in Nutritional Medicine from the same institution.
Dr. Flanagan is a regular co-host of Sigma Nutrition Radio. He also produces written content for Sigma Nutrition, as part of his role as Research Communication Officer.
Danny Lennon has a master’s degree (MSc.) in Nutritional Sciences from University College Cork, and he is the founder of Sigma Nutrition.
Danny is currently a member of the Advisory Board of the Sports Nutrition Association, the global regulatory body responsible for the standardisation of best practice in the sports nutrition profession.
Introduction to this Episode
Folate (also known as vitamin B9) actually relates to a collection of folates; both natural dietary folates and synthetic forms, primarily folic acid. This folate/folic acid that is consumed via the diet or supplementation is a precursor for the formation of tetrahydrofolate (THF), which is a carbon donor and acts a cofactor for a number of enzymes that play important roles in several processes.
In this episode, Alan and Danny discussed:
- the role of folate in the methylation cycle
- the impact of folate insufficiency/deficiency
- genetics variants of the MTHFR gene (and other genes) that impact folate metabolism
- the impact of folate on health outcomes; including:
- heart disease
- birth defects
- cancer
- brain health & cognition.
Connection to Previous Episodes
- Folate and folic acid have been discussed in previous episodes related to pregnancy, specifically episode 441 with Dr. Julie Abayomi.
- One-carbon metabolism, methylation and homocysteine were discussed in episode 443 with Dr. Kevin Klatt.
- The impact of diet on brain health, including the role of folate, was discussed in episode 438.
- The difference between a systems biomarker and a causal risk factor (that Alan referenced in this episode), was discussed in episode 381 with Prof. Chris Packard.
