"Folic Acid Lowers Blood Arsenic Levels, Study Shows
Science Daily - A new study by researchers at Columbia University Mailman
School of Public Health finds that folic acid supplements can dramatically
lower blood arsenic levels in individuals exposed to arsenic through
contaminated drinking water. This toxic element, naturally present in some
aquifers used for drinking, is currently a significant public health problem
in at least 70 countries, including several developing countries and also
parts of the U.S. Chronic arsenic exposure is associated with increased risk
for skin, liver and bladder cancers, skin lesions, cardiovascular disease,
and other adverse health outcomes.
The researchers found that treatment with 400 micrograms a day of folic
acid, the U.S. recommended dietary allowance, reduced total blood arsenic
levels in the study population by 14 percent. Folate, a B vitamin found in
leafy vegetables, citrus fruits, beans, and whole grains, can also be taken
as a vitamin supplement, and in the U.S., is added to flour and other
fortified foods. ...."
American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. Article: "Folic Acid Supplementation Lowers Blood Arsenic," in Am J Clin
Nutr 86:1202-1209 (2007)
Science Daily - A new study by researchers at Columbia University Mailman
School of Public Health finds that folic acid supplements can dramatically
lower blood arsenic levels in individuals exposed to arsenic through
contaminated drinking water. This toxic element, naturally present in some
aquifers used for drinking, is currently a significant public health problem
in at least 70 countries, including several developing countries and also
parts of the U.S. Chronic arsenic exposure is associated with increased risk
for skin, liver and bladder cancers, skin lesions, cardiovascular disease,
and other adverse health outcomes.
The researchers found that treatment with 400 micrograms a day of folic
acid, the U.S. recommended dietary allowance, reduced total blood arsenic
levels in the study population by 14 percent. Folate, a B vitamin found in
leafy vegetables, citrus fruits, beans, and whole grains, can also be taken
as a vitamin supplement, and in the U.S., is added to flour and other
fortified foods. ...."
American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. Article: "Folic Acid Supplementation Lowers Blood Arsenic," in Am J Clin
Nutr 86:1202-1209 (2007)
What we do for ourselves dies with us. What we do for others and the world remains and is immortal.
Albert Pine
Albert Pine
