Posted by Larry Hoover on December 15, 2004, at 23:03:05
In reply to Re: folate and antidepressant response » Larry Hoover, posted by jakeman on December 15, 2004, at 22:35:06
> Very interesting articles, thanks for posting. What becomes a bit problematic for me is obtaining a real determination of my nutritional status. I wonder if a basic blood test measures levels of folate and/or homocysteine. Below is another article on folate and depression.
> JakeNo, neither is part of a basic blood test. They're both "special order" blood tests.
> Despite its benefits, Morris and her colleagues caution that people shouldn’t make a significant increase in their folate intake without consulting a doctor.
>
> “While studies on folate and antidepressant treatment are promising, scientists do not yet know which patients should get folate supplements, in what dose or for how long,” reported the Courant. “Furthermore, the safety of high-dosage supplementation has not been established.”With respect to these two paragraphs, the UL (Upper Limit) of folate intake is set at 1000 micrograms/day, but (and it's a big but), that's 1/5 of the Lowest Observeable Adverse Effects Level, AND, those adverse effects are only found in people who are vitamin B-12 deficient.
So, check out this logic. You aren't supposed to take much folate because you might be B-12 deficient? Because folate intake accelerates the neurological symptoms of another nutrient deficiency?
<Spock eyebrow>
Take some B-12, too. Duh!
Lar
poster:Larry Hoover
thread:429151
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/alter/20041212/msgs/430125.html