Taking folic acid for men is very important for their overall health and well-being. Besides, it is also known to improve sperm quality. In addition, it reduces the risk of chromosomal abnormalities.
Increasing fertility rates
Folate and zinc are two essential nutrients that are vital to male fertility. A study published in 2017 showed that high doses of folic acid and zinc can improve fertility rates in men.
Men with low levels of folate have a higher risk of having abnormal sperm. Studies show that a high folic acid intake can reduce the risk of sperm abnormalities by 20%. Moreover, a higher folic acid dosage may offer even greater benefits.
Another study found that both folate and zinc supplementation increased sperm concentrations in subfertile men. The median sperm concentration was 7.5 x 106 cells/mL before and 12.0 x 106 cells/mL after 26 weeks of intervention. However, no significant differences were observed in live birth rates.
Folate and zinc are both essential for DNA transcription and protein synthesis. In addition, they are involved in the expression of steroid receptors. They also reduce oxidative stress. These antioxidants are important in preventing oxidative damage to the sperm.
Folate is a B-vitamin that plays a key role in the development and reproduction of the human body. It is important for DNA synthesis, cell division, and the production of red blood cells and RNA. Folate helps to maintain healthy fetal growth after conception.
Zinc is important for spermatogenesis, the production of sperm, and the maintenance of normal morphology and volume. In addition, it is a cofactor of metalloenzymes. Several studies have shown that low folic acid and zinc intake are associated with increased risk of sperm abnormalities.
One study compared the effects of a daily 5-mg folic acid supplement and a daily 30-mg zinc supplement on fertility rates in subfertile men. It was a double-blind, placebo-controlled study conducted in the United States. Study participants were randomly assigned to either a folic acid and zinc group or a placebo group.
Participants were advised to take a regular diet and to keep a diary. Their serum hormones and sperm samples were collected before and after treatment. Researchers used nonparametric methods to analyze the data. Because the distribution of the variables was skewed, confidence intervals were computed using the Conover method.
Reducing risk of chromosomal abnormalities
A study has shown that folic acid deficiency may increase the risk of chromosomal abnormalities in men. Researchers from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the University of California, Berkeley, examined the relationship between folate and chromosomal abnormalities in men.
Folate is a water-soluble B vitamin that is essential for the correct functioning of the human body. It is also a major component in cellular one-carbon metabolism.
Folate deficiency has been linked to various diseases, including cancer. It has been reported to interfere with the expression of genes involved in fetal development. Some researchers believe that deficiency of folic acid during pregnancy can increase the risk of leukaemia in children.
Folate is a critical nutrient during pregnancy. It plays a role in DNA synthesis and methylation. Folate has been proven to protect against certain types of cancers. In addition, it decreases the risk of birth defects in the developing foetus.
Men who were given the most folate in their diets had about 19 percent lower rates of chromosomal abnormalities. This study also showed that men who consumed moderate amounts of folate had 20 percent less chromosomal instability than those who consumed very little.
These findings are important because low levels of folic acid in sperm have been linked to abnormalities that can lead to miscarriages or birth defects. Folate deficiency is associated with cancer, and may also be a risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease.
A study has found that a pre-existing genetic polymorphism can alter the metabolic network of folates. This could affect the ability of individuals to absorb folate, which in turn can affect the absorption of other nutrients.
Folate deficiency also affects the methylation status of certain genes at birth. If the methylation status of a gene is altered, it can lead to malformations in the developing foetus. Demethylation of the centromeres of the chromosome can result in structural aberrations that may cause aneuploidy.
Folate has been shown to reduce the risk of neural tube birth defects in the developing foetus. Currently, the recommended dietary allowance of folic acid is 400 micrograms per day. However, there are other factors that can affect how much a person absorbs. For example, alcohol and surgery can reduce folate absorption.
Improved sperm quality
In a recent study, a combination of folate, vitamin E and selenium was found to improve sperm quality in men with infertility. Folate plays a key role in the development of sperm and has been shown to help in preventing DNA damage to the sperm.
Zinc is also a mineral that plays a key role in the production of sperm. Men with low levels of zinc may have less healthy sperm.
Studies have suggested that folic acid and zinc supplementation can increase sperm concentration, morphology, and motility, which is believed to lead to improved fertility. However, studies are limited on the effects of these supplements on live birth rates.
A recent meta-analysis examined the effects of a combination of vitamins and minerals on the health of sperm. While the results were positive, caution was required due to the heterogeneity of the included studies.
The trial consisted of 2370 men randomized to a placebo or a folic acid and zinc supplement group. After a period of six months, sperm concentration and morphology were not significantly different between the treatment groups. Nevertheless, there was a difference in sperm DNA fragmentation index, which is believed to be a measure of oxidative stress.
Researchers at four study centers in the United States conducted a double blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial. After a period of six months, 1773 men attended the final study visit. This was the last data collected for the trial.
At the 6-month mark, the folic acid and zinc group had a 2.4% lower overall semen quality than the placebo group. This was due to a greater percentage of gastrointestinal symptoms and lower sperm concentrations. But the folic acid and zinc group had higher proportions of sperm DNA fragmentation and sperm morphology than the placebo group.
A recent study has also indicated that a combination of folate, vitamin E, and selenium can increase sperm count. However, the results of this study disagree with the recent meta-analysis.
Another study, which looked at a 16-week aerobic exercise program, found that participants had a statistically significant increase in sperm count. Furthermore, smoking consistently reduced sperm counts.
Colon health
There is a growing body of research that suggests that folate may protect people from cancer. This may be due to its ability to influence the development of certain tumors, such as colon cancer. But some studies have shown that folic acid supplementation can also promote the development of some tumors, including prostate and breast cancers.
Folate is a B vitamin that plays a role in cell division, DNA methylation and one-carbon metabolism. Several epidemiological studies have found inverse associations between dietary intakes of folate and colorectal cancer risk. However, clinical trials have provided mixed results.
The most thorough research has focused on the effects of folate on colorectal adenoma, or intestinal neoplastic lesions. These findings suggest that folate may suppress the development of some tumors during their early stages, but it does not appear to prevent the recurrence of colorectal adenomas. Some of these trials used large, unphysiological doses of folic acid, which may have promoted cancer growth.
While several observational studies have shown that higher intakes of food folates protect against bowel cancer, more research is needed. In fact, a study of nearly 525,000 participants in the United States showed that men who ate at least 900 micrograms (mcg) of folate a day had a 25% lower risk of developing CRC. Several case-control studies have also shown that folate consumers had a lower risk of CRC, but dietary factors can be confounded.
Currently, folic acid intervention trials are underway for primary CVD prevention. Some of these studies have shown a decrease in the incidence of adenomas in patients with high-risk adenomas. It remains unclear whether this is due to a reduction in recurrence or to a reduction in the number of adenomas. Until more information is available, a more balanced approach to folic acid supplementation is necessary.
If you are interested in taking folic acid as part of your diet, be sure to consult with a qualified nutrition professional. They will be able to give you more details about the benefits and the risks of folic acid, and help you choose a diet that is right for you.
