If you have allergies, its vital you take one particular nutrient. Ive used this nutrient for years with outstanding results. And new research now proves its effectiveness.
Researchers from my university alma matter, Johns Hopkins University, examined over 8,000 blood samples from people with and without allergies and asthma. Those with the lowest serum folate were 31% more likely to have test verified allergies. They were 40% more likely to have wheezing. And they were 16% more likely to have diagnosed asthma when compared to the highest group.
Folic acid (folate) is abundant in leafy green vegetables (such as spinach and turnip greens), citrus fruits, dried beans, liver, and many other foods. Its also an additive in some processed foods. Outright deficiency is not common. However, relative deficiency might be far more common than the pundits suspect.
Ive reported on a disorder of folate metabolism called MTHFR defects. Its a genetic problem that impairs your utilization of the vitamin. It is rather common, affecting large segments of the population. Its easy to test in any conventional lab. I do it routinely in all patients with any chronic problem. Generally, the recommended remedy for MTHFR defects is L-5-Methyl Tetrahydrofolate (Folapro) (a derivative of folic acid) supplements. But Ive also found that higher doses of folic acid can help.
If you have asthma or allergies, have your folic acid level checked. Be sure that you are in the upper quintile, or better, try to be over the top of the lab reference range. If you are at the upper end, also check your MTHFR.
And if that is a problem, consider supplementing with folic acid (5 mg, two to three times daily). This is a whopping dose considering that the usual folic acid supplementation is usually only about 5-10% of that dose. However, I have seen this dose, together with supplemental vitamin A (50,000-100,000 units) — not beta carotene — reverse many precancerous changes in the cervix and digestive tract. It can help allergies and asthma just as effectively.
Ref: Journal of Allergy & Clinical Immunology, May 2009.