Having noted numerous posts on Folic acid I pressed my PCP on its use after he recently prescribed it for me because my level, 4.4, is below the minimum recommended level of 5. Here is what he messaged me;
“…folic acid is something you're body requires to make new healthy cells. It is used in construction of DNA and other proteins being synthesized in the body, including red blood cells. You are at 4.4, which as we discussed some in last appt, is typically <5 is considered deficiency. Some labs will mention <4, but for you it is even more important to get you up and this should be easily done with the over the counter 400-800 mcg oral tab daily. If you want there is a 1 mg (1,000 mcg) prescription tab I can also send in. Usually takes about 3-6 months for your body to create new healthy cells with proper amounts of Folic acid in them once you start the replacement. Let me know if you want us to send this, or any other questions. “
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6357axbz
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You could eat seven cups of broccoli or spinach every day, or maybe seven bananas a day, but that's not my idea of happy eating. Even a cup of lentils might be good for most daily folate but I doubt I could stand it every day for long. I like variety. I looked through my drawer full of supplements that I hardly ever take and I found a bottle of folic acid 400 mg pills, and popped one with my morning coffee. Now that's more my style.
I have had neuropathy in my feet, gradually progressing. Diagnosed with Stage 4 prostate cancer this past October. Meanwhile I discovered Metanx, which is touted to actually reverse neuropathy. I've been on Metanx (and Lupron/Zytiga) for two months, and have noticeable relief from neuropathy and PSA drop from 15 to 0.17.
in reply to
Meant to add that the primary ingredient in Metanx is folic acid (3 mg of L-methylfolate calcium).
It might be worth investigating WHY you would be deficient even while consuming folate-rich foods (celiac disease, Crohn's, etc). Is something interfering with absorption? Perhaps other change to diet can be made that help. (Less bread! More beans!)
I do wonder why your doc said "but for you it is even more important to get you up." What is the basis for asserting PC patients have a greater need to be above the (potentially arbitrary) lab threshold that defines "deficiency" here? Hopefully he is not just asserting that, and actually has some studies that would counter the ones by Patrick that suggest INsufficiency (but not acute deficiency) is a more preferable state.
After all, what is "good for your healthy cells" might be even BETTER for your cancer cells! Finding the best balance of deficiency, insufficiency and sufficiency may differ between healthy men and men with PC. Your "optimal" level may not conform to standard cutoff levels. (And who even knows how those were arrived at, and when?)
Although there is at least one study that suggests better folate levels indicate slower progression of PC, it did NOT note that the men doing better achieved that better folate status via synthetic folic acid supplements... so it may be those with a naturally folate-rich DIET are the only ones benefiting.
The doc's suggestion that you take up to a full mg, rather than a lower dose, suggests he might not be aware of some studies that would make that inadvisable:
"A 10-year study showed that the risk of prostate cancer was lower in men who had enough folate in their diets. However, the risk of prostate cancer was increased in men who took 1 milligram (mg) supplements of folic acid."
AND
"Alarmingly, a few folic acid chemoprevention trials in humans conducted in predisposed individuals have demonstrated a potential tumor-promoting effect of folic acid supplementation.
In the study by Tu et al [on bladder cancer] medium to high folic acid intake was associated with a significantly increased risk of recurrence and adverse tumor characteristics among patients compared with low intake, while natural folate intake was inversely, albeit non-significantly, associated with risk of tumor progression.
Notwithstanding the lack of compelling supportive evidence, folic acid supplementation should be avoided in cancer patients and survivors."
I think he misinterpreted my original message where I said (not shown above) studies show a deficiency is protective against PCA and assumed I meant the opposite
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