Folic Acid May Ease Symptoms of Asthma
Lee Swanson Research Update
New research suggests that higher levels of folate may reduce the risk of having asthma by 16%.
Researchers from Johns Hopkins Children's Center reported online in the Journal of Allergy & Clinical Immunology: "Our findings are a clear indication that folic acid may indeed help regulate immune response to allergens and may reduce allergy and asthma symptoms."
Lead researcher Elizabeth Matsui added: "But we still need to figure out the exact mechanism behind it, and to do so we need studies that follow people receiving treatment with folic acid."
Matsui and co-workers reviewed the medical records of more than 8,000 people between the ages of 2 and 85. Data was collected concerning blood levels of folate and respiratory and allergic symptoms, as well as levels of immunoglobulin E (IgE), the predominant antibody associated with an allergic response.
According to study findings, higher folate levels were associated with lower levels of IgE antibodies, as well as fewer reported allergies, less wheezing and lower likelihood of asthma.
Specifically, the lowest average folate levels, defined as less than eight nanograms per milliliter (ng/mL) were associated with a 40% increase in the risk of wheezing, compared to the highest folate levels, defined as more than 18 ng/mL. Moreover, the lowest folate levels were linked to a 30% higher risk of elevated IgE antibody levels, compared to the highest folate levels.
The researchers also report that people with the lowest folate levels had a 31% higher risk of allergic symptoms, and a 16% higher risk of having asthma, compared to those with the highest folate levels.
Journal of Allergy & Clinical Immunology Published online ahead of print.
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