by Kelley Herring
Are you getting enough folate to fight osteoporosis? We’ve long lauded the ability of folate to reduce homocysteine, an amino acid that contributes to heart disease and Alzheimer’s disease.
Now, new research from The Hordaland Homocysteine Study (HHS) suggests homocysteine poses yet another health risk - thinning bones in women. In this study, more than 18,000 people were followed for seven years. Those with raised homocysteine levels not only had an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, depression, and cognitive decline, but also osteoporosis.
The good news is that finding folate in foods is much easier than it used to be. Along with a whole-foods diet rich in dark leafy greens and beans to supply healthy amounts of folate, try whole grain cereals fortified with folic acid and make sure your multivitamin supplies at least 400 mcg of folic acid to help protect your bones, brain and heart.