http://www2.le.ac.uk/offices/press/press-releases/2014/january/folic-acid-could-suppress-parkinson2019s-2013-new-study

[Bitsy]

This is a study on the importance of folic acid and the B vitamins in general in relation to Parkinson's which you might find interesting if you have not already seen it. Cheers

[partypants]

Thanks Bitsy. This is very interesting and should encourage us all to eat well. There also seems to be a link between folate deficiency and dementias including alzheimers.

[movinngroovin]

must be easily digestible kind!

[Kadie57]

I had a specialized test which said I had a low levels to almost no folic acid or Vit B 6 in my system. Seems it was something I was born without, I also have extra levels of iron in 2 fluid pockets on the back of the brain, which the doctors think was also something I was born with. SO I take a good vitamins meaning with out fills, dyes, etc and heavy in Vit B's and folic acid, I supplement with 4 coconut gel tabs 1000 mg per day. It seems to help my balance and the medicine wear off have lessened .

[quirkyme]

we in the USA need this kind of study...

lack of folic acid in utero is linked to spina bifida in children and later adults

so if PD has it's origins, even in part, to the lack of folic acid, this could be important.

[Bitsy]

Glad you feel encouraged as well by this study. I eat two cups or more of steamed spinach with sugar free yoghurt and about 4 cloves of fresh chopped garlic and fresh parsley (glutathione) which makes the eating more palatable for me and there has been a notable improvement in my symptoms. There is a difference between folic acid and folate however. Folic acid is the synthetic form of natural folate and cannot cross the blood brain barrier whilst folate does or so I have read. Apparently the absorption rate of folate depends on your zinc status. Some manufacturers try to trick you by putting folate on the front of the bottle and folic acid in the ingredients. I try to get as many vitamins as I can from natural sources because that is how we evolved to supplement them. Cos or Romaine lettuce is another good source of B9 or folate and K2 as well, also important for Parkinson's. Lentils are high in folate. Glad to be of help. Cheers.