Folate, or folic acid, is an essential vitamin B which is necessary for the appropriate formation of red blood cells and their division and the synthesis of DNA. This vitamin shares an important, but somewhat indirect relationship with a condition known as hypothryoidism. If you have this condition and you do not get adequate folate in your diet, you may be an increased risk of heart disease.
Hypothyroidism
Hypothyroidism is a disorder characterized by an subactive thyroid gland. The thyroid gland is located in the neck and produces hormones that regulate a range of body functions, including body temperature, mood, metabolism, heart rate and blood pressure. A deficit of hormones produced by thyroid hormones, which act on each cell of the body, cause disturbances in many metabolic processes. Folic acid status is also affected by hypothyroidism.
Folic acid, hypothyroidism and homocysteine
The research published in the “Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism” links the status of weak folate to hypothyroidism. The weak folate plays a role in high levels of homocysteine; High levels of homocysteine are frequently observed in patients with hypothyroidism. Homocysteine is an amino acid that is synthesized in the body, and high levels increase the risk of atherosclerosis, stroke, embolism and heart attack. Low levels of folic acid are associated with high homocysteine because folic acid is used in the degradation of homocysteine.
Etiology of the weak folate in hypothyroidism
In healthy individuals, folic acid is converted into the lo-methyl locks, which is the biologically active form of vitamin. Hypothyroidism causes a decrease in the activity of the methylètetrahydrofolate reductase enzyme, which is responsible for the production of folate fo-methyl in the liver. Low levels of L-Methyl Folate cause excessive levels of homocysteine. This indirect relationship could be causative in increasing the risk of cardiovascular disease in people with hypothyroidism.
