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High folic acid supplementation associated with higher rates of COVID-19 infections and mortality (5,000 mcg/day = 260% higher death rate)
Medical Xpress / UC Davis / BMJ Open / Nature Communications ^ | August 31, 2022 | Lisa Howard / Ruth Topless et al / Yuchen Zhang et al

Posted on 09/01/2022 7:26:28 PM PDT by ConservativeMind

People in the United Kingdom with folic acid prescriptions were 1.5 times more likely to get COVID-19. They were also 2.6 times more likely to die from COVID-19 compared to the control group.

The research found having a prescription for the antifolate drug methotrexate mitigated the negative impact of folic acid on COVID-19 when folic acid and methotrexate were given together.

"We examined whether COVID-19 diagnosis and death were related to the large doses of folic acid—five times the safe upper limit—prescribed to patients for a variety of medically approved indications. We found that the risk of becoming infected and dying from COVID-19 was significantly greater in the group treated with folic acid," said Ralph Green.

Folic acid is a synthetic form of vitamin B9, also known as folate.

Folic acid is prescribed for several conditions, including sickle cell disease and to help offset side effects for patients taking methotrexate.

Methotrexate is used to treat cancer and autoimmune diseases. The drug is an "antifolate," meaning it interferes with folate, which cancer cells require for proliferation.

Research last year suggested the SARS-CoV-2 virus hijacks the host's folate for viral replication. This suggests that the virus might be sensitive to both folate and folate inhibitors.

They identified 26,033 individuals with COVID-19. People with a methotrexate prescription were diagnosed with COVID-19 at a similar rate to the general population.

People with a folic acid prescription were diagnosed with COVID-19 infections at a higher rate (5.99%) and had a much higher COVID-19 mortality rate (15.97%) than the control group.

"The defined safe upper limit of folic acid is one milligram. Until we have more information, it would be prudent to avoid extremely high doses of folic acid unless medically indicated. High folic acid would be of greater concern in unvaccinated individuals," Green said.

(Excerpt) Read more at medicalxpress.com ...


TOPICS: Health/Medicine
KEYWORDS:
Folic acid accrues in the body, while active forms of folate do not.

There has been some concern that folic acid buildup in our bodies could cause other subsequent health issues, but this is not an apparent consideration with this study.

My wife and I do limit the folic acid form of folate, but do take Metafolin or another form of active folate.

1 posted on 09/01/2022 7:26:28 PM PDT by ConservativeMind
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To: Mazey; ckilmer; goodnesswins; Jane Long; BusterDog; jy8z; ProtectOurFreedom; matthew fuller; ...

The “Take Charge Of Your Health” Ping List

This high volume ping list is for health articles and studies which describe something you or your doctor, when informed, may be able to immediately implement for your benefit.

Email me to get on either the “Common/Top Issues” (20% fewer pings) or “Everything” list.

2 posted on 09/01/2022 7:26:58 PM PDT by ConservativeMind (Trump: Befuddling Democrats, Republicans, and the Media for the benefit of the US and all mankind.)
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To: ConservativeMind

“Most OTC formulations contain 400 mcg to 800 mcg of folic acid per pill. Prescription folic acid is available in 1 mg tablets. L-methylfolate is available by prescription as 7.5 mg, 15 mg, and 30 mg pills under several names, including: Deplin.”


Even with the highest prescription dose, that would be 167 pills a day.


3 posted on 09/01/2022 7:36:49 PM PDT by Ken H (Trump /DeSantis)
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To: ConservativeMind

Just going to say this, and I know I speak for many, I’ve heard so much (mis)information that’s contradictory from the same sources, mis-information about hydroxichloquine and other palliatives, vaccines, masks, boosters...
I just don’t care anymore and I will fight for my freedom to be free of this coordinated GOV hoax.
If The Good Lord Calls me, I’ll be there with a quickness...


4 posted on 09/01/2022 7:37:56 PM PDT by End Times Sentinel (In the conflict between the stone and the stream, the stream will always prevail.)
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To: Ken H

That is my typo.

The title should read “5,000 mcg.”

I’ve asked for the mod to change it. Thanks for catching that.


5 posted on 09/01/2022 7:44:51 PM PDT by ConservativeMind (Trump: Befuddling Democrats, Republicans, and the Media for the benefit of the US and all mankind.)
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To: ConservativeMind

Who on earth would take that much? I take 800 MCGs of methyl folate daily. That’s not even 1mg. I’d have to knock back bottles of the stuff to get to 5 grams of it. That’s insane.


6 posted on 09/01/2022 7:45:25 PM PDT by perfect_rovian_storm
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To: ConservativeMind

oh...ok lol

Nevermind. :p


7 posted on 09/01/2022 7:45:50 PM PDT by perfect_rovian_storm
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To: ConservativeMind

I can’t find 5000 mg/day in the articles at the links.

Surely 5000 mcg/day must be meant.


8 posted on 09/01/2022 7:51:51 PM PDT by FarCenter
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To: ConservativeMind

Thanks for this info CM! I have not been supplementing very much, but I will try to avoid Folic Acid in favor of Folate!


9 posted on 09/01/2022 7:52:31 PM PDT by Pete from Shawnee Mission ( )
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To: ConservativeMind

Why would the otherwise healthy have a folate prescription?


10 posted on 09/02/2022 3:14:40 AM PDT by 9YearLurker
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To: 9YearLurker

To knock back effects of certain viruses. I take 800mg some times 1600 per day for the past three decades. I also take it like some people take vitamine C to fight colds;vitamine C makes a cold worst for me. I’m not vaxed and to my knowledge have not had covid.


11 posted on 09/02/2022 5:53:46 AM PDT by jimfr
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To: End Times Sentinel

...and gladness.


12 posted on 09/02/2022 5:54:53 AM PDT by moovova
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To: jimfr

But that’s not a prescription, is it?


13 posted on 09/02/2022 6:44:04 AM PDT by 9YearLurker
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To: ConservativeMind
Last month we were hearing on FR that folate is good for people with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Which is better, a pain in the ribs or contracting covid? Hmm?

B vitamins can potentially be used to treat advanced non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (B-12 and/or Folate)

14 posted on 09/02/2022 7:17:47 AM PDT by Albion Wilde (Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free... Galatians 5:1 )
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To: Albion Wilde

Do what I do and keep levels of both under the Upper Tolerable Limit.

It may not be as impactful as a possible megadose, but it shouldn’t hurt and should help for the issues, given enough time.

We take 1/4 of a B-12 tablet and about 500 mg total of active folate forms (have tried to stay away from folic acid sources for a while, but still occasionally take a half a standard multivitamin, which invariably has the folic acid form).


15 posted on 09/02/2022 8:01:47 AM PDT by ConservativeMind (Trump: Befuddling Democrats, Republicans, and the Media for the benefit of the US and all mankind.)
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To: jimfr

I think you mean “mcg” and not “mg.”


16 posted on 09/02/2022 8:02:32 AM PDT by ConservativeMind (Trump: Befuddling Democrats, Republicans, and the Media for the benefit of the US and all mankind.)
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To: ConservativeMind
His order is ready for shipping =>


17 posted on 09/02/2022 2:52:14 PM PDT by Ken H (Trump /DeSantis)
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To: ConservativeMind

Thank you for your considered thoughts. My doc is no help. I’m often on my own to research what to take, but do swear by taking vitamins and minerals in reasonable fashion.


18 posted on 09/05/2022 5:44:17 PM PDT by Albion Wilde (Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free... Galatians 5:1 )
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To: Albion Wilde

What are your health concerns, if I may ask?


19 posted on 09/05/2022 6:05:56 PM PDT by ConservativeMind (Trump: Befuddling Democrats, Republicans, and the Media for the benefit of the US and all mankind.)
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To: ConservativeMind

Building a healthy gut, avoiding any liver problems because of family history, and avoiding covid.


20 posted on 09/05/2022 6:12:57 PM PDT by Albion Wilde (Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free... Galatians 5:1 )
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