Previously recommended to women as a prevention to birth defects, researchers have discovered that folic acid also plays an important role in reducing the risk of high blood pressure in some women.

Folic acid can abundantly be found in:

• Citrus fruits
• Tomatoes
• Leafy green vegetables, including spinach and romaine lettuce
• Beans, including pinto, navy, lentil and kidney

Researchers conducted a study that involved more than 150,000 women divided into two age groups. The purpose of the study was to find out if there was a connection between high blood pressure risk and folate intake.

The first group, women ages 26-46, consumed more than 800 micrograms of folate daily. These women experienced the most dramatic decrease in the risk of high blood pressure. The second group, women ages 43-70, who consumed the most folate daily, also reduced their risk of hypertension, though at a more modest 13 percent compared to the first group.

The key to the success of folic acid consumption centers on taking the proper amount, as too little as well as too much folate can pose a problem.

The suggested target amount of one's daily intake of folate should be around 800 micrograms, according to experts. Compared to women who take only 200 micrograms a day, those who took the target amount lowered their risk of blood pressure by almost a third.

Because most women find it challenging to consume 800 micrograms a day from their diet alone, they also take a daily multivitamin containing 400 micrograms amount of folic acid, in order to make up the difference.

Caution: Consuming too much folic acid can be dangerous. Vitamin B12 deficiency can produce similar blood count results -- elevated MCVs. If your MCV is normal no need to worry about folic acid as it is a very safe supplement. However if it is elevated you will want to check for vitamin B12 deficiency as if you correct the MCV with folic acid the vitamin B12 deficiency will go untreated and this can cause serious neurological complications. This is typically only a problem in vegans and the elderly as vegans ingest very little B12 and the elderly frequently have vitamin B12 absorption problems.

Chicago Sun-Times October 12, 2004

Dr. Mercola's Comments:

If you've been following my Web site for a while, you know folic acid possesses a myriad of benefits: Decreasing one's risk of colon cancer. Lowering homocysteine levels associated with an increased risk of heart disease and strokes. Affecting mood and the ability to think. Building stronger bones. Now we could add reduction of blood pressure to the already extensive list of health benefits. There's no denying folic acid is good for you, however, the value you get from consuming folic acid is determined in where you get it from. For example, this nutrient is best obtained through organic, fresh uncooked whole vegetables. However, the amount of vegetables your body requires depends on your nutritional type. While we all need vegetables to stay healthy, the type and amount should be determined by what nutritional type you are. Everyone has his or her own unique nutritional type, so what might be good for your best friend might not be good for you. For example, carbohydrate nutritional types need far more vegetables in their diet than protein nutritional types. One of the easiest ways to fulfill your vegetable intake is through regularly consuming vegetable juice. There is a basic test you can take to find out your nutritional type, which is detailed in my new book, TOTAL HEALTH Program. If you are concerned that you're not getting enough vegetables, Living Fuel Rx is an excellent option, especially while traveling, as it provides nearly all of the essential nutrients, including folic acid and it comes in a convenient powder form. Ideally, you would get your nutrients from fresh, whole foods, but if you are concerned that an element is missing from your diet, Living Fuel Rx is a good choice to ensure your body gets all of the nutrients it needs. Related Articles: Folic Acid Also Helpful for Down's Syndrome Prevention Vegetables and Folate Help Depression Folate Linked to Reduced Colon Cancer Risk Folate May Also Reduce Childhood Leukemia Folate Deficiency Linked to Parkinson's