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NOW Supplements NOW Supplements Folic Acid
SCIENTIFIC SCORE
Moderately Effective
Based on 15 Researches
8
USERS' SCORE
Good
Based on 5 Reviews
8.6
Supplement Facts
Serving Size: 1 Tablet
Amount Per Serving
%DV
Folate
1,360 mcg DFE** (800 mcg folic acid)
340%
Vitamin B-12 (as Cyanocobalamin)
25 mcg
1042%

Top Medical Research Studies

9
Folic acid lowers inflammatory pain
Long-term folic acid treatment relieves chronic inflammatory pain and pain-induced anxiety by reducing MMP2 expression in rats.
High relevance to arthritis pain
We investigated the effects of folic acid on chronic inflammatory pain, especially in the context of arthritis. Adult rats were used in our study, and we induced inflammatory pain by injecting a substance called complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA) into their hind paws. Through behavioral tests, we assessed pain responses by measuring how long it took for the rats to withdraw their paws from painful stimuli.

Our findings showed that the CFA injections not only caused significant pain but also increased the expression of Matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP2), a protein associated with inflammation. Notably, MMP2 was primarily found in nerve cells rather than glial cells, indicating its crucial role in the pain pathway.

In an exciting twist, we discovered that long-term treatment with folic acid managed to reduce the overexpression of MMP2. This led to lasting relief from chronic inflammatory pain for the rats and also alleviated pain-related anxiety. These results suggest that folic acid could be a promising therapeutic option for managing chronic inflammatory pain and anxiety in arthritis patients, allowing for better pain management in the long term.
Read More
9
Vitamin B12 may improve arthritis
Vitamin B12 inhibits peptidylarginine deiminases and ameliorates rheumatoid arthritis in CAIA mice.
High relevance to arthritis treatment
We investigated the effects of vitamin B12 on rheumatoid arthritis, particularly focusing on its impact on peptidylarginine deiminase isoform 4 (PADI-4), an enzyme linked to the disease's progression. Our study revealed that vitamin B12 effectively inhibited this enzyme more than another related enzyme, PADI-2, highlighting its potential as a therapeutic agent.

We observed that vitamin B12 treatment led to lower overall levels of citrullination, which is important since unregulated citrullination is a common issue in rheumatoid arthritis. Additionally, when hydroxocobalamin, a form of vitamin B12, was administered to mice, it significantly reduced the severity of arthritis symptoms in those with collagen type II antibody induced arthritis (CAIA).

Importantly, we found that vitamin B12 also decreased the expression of various pro-inflammatory factors and cytokines often elevated in rheumatoid arthritis, including IL17A, TNFα, and IL-6. These findings suggest that vitamin B12 may have a beneficial role in managing rheumatoid arthritis, warranting further exploration of its therapeutic potential.
Read More
8
Folate may alleviate knee OA
Association between folate intake and radiographic progression, pain function scores in subjects with radiographic knee osteoarthritis: Data from the osteoarthritis initiative.
Study highly relevant to arthritis
Our exploration focused on understanding how folate intake might influence knee osteoarthritis (OA), particularly regarding pain relief and improved function. We examined data from a large population-based study of patients with prevalent knee OA to see if higher folate consumption could help manage their symptoms and slow disease progression.

We found that individuals who consumed more folate reported less knee pain and improved function over a 48-month period. Specifically, increases in folate intake were associated with notable decreases in the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) scores, which measure pain and disability in patients. For each additional 50 micrograms of folate consumed per 1000 calories, participants experienced a significant reduction in their pain and overall function scores.

Interestingly, our findings suggest that the benefits of folate are especially pronounced in certain groups, including men, older adults, those who are overweight or obese, and individuals with higher dietary fiber intake. This indicates that folate may play a vital role in managing knee OA symptoms effectively, offering a simple dietary adjustment that could lead to meaningful improvements in quality of life.

In summary, our study highlights the potential of folate to positively influence knee osteoarthritis by reducing pain and enhancing functional capabilities, making it a valuable addition to dietary recommendations for individuals suffering from this condition.
Read More

Most Useful Reviews

9.5
Excellent quality
Excellent! This supplement is ideal for anyone with immune diseases. My mother suffers from rheumatoid arthritis, and it’s of high quality. It should not be cut.
Read More
8.8
Helps fight arthritis
Took for my wife, who has arthritis. It helps combat her condition. Excellent quality at a reasonable price. Thank you, NOW Foods!
Read More
8.8
Reduces mouth sores
This excellent product was ordered as I take a biologic drug for psoriatic arthritis, which causes mouth sores. It effectively reduces my symptoms, is easy to swallow, and is of great quality at an affordable price.
Read More

Medical Researches

SCIENTIFIC SCORE
Moderately Effective
Based on 15 Researches
8
  • All Researches
9.5
Zeolite/B12 for arthritis relief
Therapeutic Potential of Zeolites/Vitamin B12 Nanocomposite on Complete Freund's Adjuvant-Induced Arthritis as a Bone Disorder: In Vivo Study and Bio-Molecular Investigations.
Direct link to vitamin B12 impact
We delved into the potential benefits of a unique combination of zeolites and vitamin B12 for treating arthritis, which is a challenging autoimmune disease. This study specifically looked at a model of arthritis induced by complete Freund's adjuvant, examining how this novel nanocomposite might alleviate some of the severe symptoms associated with the condition.

During our investigation, we took a close look at the effects of this zeolite/vitamin B12 formulation on arthritic rats. The results were encouraging; we observed significant improvements in the joint health of the animals. The amount of inflammation decreased, and there was a notable reduction in joint damage, which is often characterized by tissue swelling and deterioration.

Important biomarkers indicating inflammation and immune response were positively influenced as well. For instance, levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines like IL-1β and TNF-α decreased, while beneficial markers like IL-4 increased. Additionally, the antioxidant activities in the arthritis-affected rats improved, showcasing the potential for this treatment to not only combat arthritis symptoms but also to support overall joint health.

Overall, our findings suggest that the zeolite/vitamin B12 nanocomposite may be a promising new therapeutic option for those grappling with rheumatoid arthritis, showcasing both anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. We're excited about its potential to enhance treatments for arthritis in the future.
Read More
9
Folic acid lowers inflammatory pain
Long-term folic acid treatment relieves chronic inflammatory pain and pain-induced anxiety by reducing MMP2 expression in rats.
High relevance to arthritis pain
We investigated the effects of folic acid on chronic inflammatory pain, especially in the context of arthritis. Adult rats were used in our study, and we induced inflammatory pain by injecting a substance called complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA) into their hind paws. Through behavioral tests, we assessed pain responses by measuring how long it took for the rats to withdraw their paws from painful stimuli.

Our findings showed that the CFA injections not only caused significant pain but also increased the expression of Matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP2), a protein associated with inflammation. Notably, MMP2 was primarily found in nerve cells rather than glial cells, indicating its crucial role in the pain pathway.

In an exciting twist, we discovered that long-term treatment with folic acid managed to reduce the overexpression of MMP2. This led to lasting relief from chronic inflammatory pain for the rats and also alleviated pain-related anxiety. These results suggest that folic acid could be a promising therapeutic option for managing chronic inflammatory pain and anxiety in arthritis patients, allowing for better pain management in the long term.
Read More
9
Folate intake reduces OA likelihood
Associations between nutrient intake and osteoarthritis based on NHANES 1999 to 2018 cross sectional study.
Focus on folate's impact
We explored how nutrient intake affects osteoarthritis (OA), with a particular focus on folate. Analyzing data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) collected between 1999 and 2018, we looked at the dietary habits of over 32,000 participants to understand the associations between six key nutrients and OA.

Our research found that higher intake of dietary fiber, folic acid, and nicotinic acid was linked to a lower risk of OA. Specifically, we observed that those in the highest quartile of folic acid intake had about a 28% lower chance of having OA compared to those with the lowest intake. The relationship between folate and OA appeared to be linear, meaning as folate intake increased, the likelihood of OA decreased steadily.

On the other hand, protein intake showed a more complex, J-shaped relationship with OA, indicating that moderate protein consumption could offer the most protection against the condition. While carbohydrates and fat intake did not show a significant association with OA, our findings emphasize the importance of optimizing dietary choices to potentially reduce the risk of arthritis.
Read More
9
Folate-modified vesicles alleviate arthritis
Folic acid-modified ginger-derived extracellular vesicles for targeted treatment of rheumatoid arthritis by remodeling immune microenvironment via the PI3K-AKT pathway.
Significant relevance to arthritis treatment
We explored how a type of plant-derived vesicle, specifically ginger-derived extracellular vesicles, can play a role in treating rheumatoid arthritis (RA), a painful autoimmune condition. Our main focus was on enhancing these vesicles with folic acid to improve their targeting abilities within swollen joints.

By attaching folic acid to these ginger vesicles, we created a new entity called FA-GDEVs. These are specially designed to latch onto M1 macrophages, the type of immune cells that contribute to inflammation in RA. In our in vitro studies, we observed that FA-GDEVs encouraged these inflammatory macrophages to shift towards a more healing M2 phenotype. This transformation occurs through the modulation of the PI3K-AKT pathway, a key mechanism in cellular signaling.

Our in vivo research further supported these findings, showing that FA-GDEVs localized effectively in inflamed joints and significantly alleviated the symptoms of RA. Overall, FA-GDEVs emerge as a promising new strategy for treating RA, combining safety, effectiveness, and affordability in rheumatology.
Read More
9
Folic acid reduces MTX withdrawal rates
Risk Factors Associated with Adverse Events Leading to Methotrexate Withdrawal in Elderly Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients: A Retrospective Cohort Study.
Follow-up study on folate effects
We explored the effects of folic acid supplementation in elderly patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) who are treated with methotrexate (MTX). In this large-scale study, involving 198 elderly individuals over a long period, we sought to identify the factors that might lead to MTX discontinuation due to adverse events (AEs).

Our findings revealed that around 23% of patients stopped MTX within five years, increasing to 51.7% by the fifteen-year mark. Notably, gastrointestinal issues were the most common AEs leading to withdrawal. However, we discovered that those taking higher doses of MTX (15 mg/week and above) faced a significantly increased risk of discontinuation.

The good news is that folic acid supplementation appeared to be protective against these adverse events, reducing the withdrawal risk considerably. This suggests that by prescribing lower doses of MTX alongside folic acid, healthcare providers could better manage arthritis symptoms in elderly patients while minimizing the potential for harmful side effects.
Read More

User Reviews

USERS' SCORE
Good
Based on 5 Reviews
8.6
  • All Reviews
  • Positive Reviews
  • Negative Reviews
9.5
Excellent quality
Excellent! This supplement is ideal for anyone with immune diseases. My mother suffers from rheumatoid arthritis, and it’s of high quality. It should not be cut.
8.8
Helps fight arthritis
Took for my wife, who has arthritis. It helps combat her condition. Excellent quality at a reasonable price. Thank you, NOW Foods!
8.8
Reduces mouth sores
This excellent product was ordered as I take a biologic drug for psoriatic arthritis, which causes mouth sores. It effectively reduces my symptoms, is easy to swallow, and is of great quality at an affordable price.
8.8
Supports rheumatoid arthritis
Great product! I give it to my mother, who has rheumatoid arthritis and is on Methotrexate.
8.5
Essential for mother
My mother has been regularly taking this folic acid for several years due to her rheumatoid arthritis. This product is perfect for us and has proven to be very beneficial.
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