The Pharmacy Times recently posted an article summarizing the results of a trial that looked at folic acid supplementation and blood flow to the skin. As described in the article, when we are exposed to heat, the combination of sweating and increased blood flow to the skin is our body's way of cooling itself down. However, elderly patients typically have decreased perfusion in the skin and this thermoregulatory mechanism becomes less effective. This also puts these individuals at greater risk for cardiovascular events and heat stroke.
The study discussed in the article looked at chronic folic acid supplementation of 5 mg per day for 6 weeks, as well as direct administration of folic acid to the skin via intradermal microdialysis fibers. The theory behind this was that folic acid can increase the bioavailability of BH4, which stimulates nitric oxide production, an essential mechanism of blood vessel dilation and increasing blood flow in the skin. The researchers performed both localized heating studies and whole-body heating studies. For localized studies, patients were their own controls, as either folic acid or placebo were administered at randomized sites on their arms via the microdialysis fibers. In whole-body heating studies, the patients' skin temperatures were controlled using water-perfused wetsuits. The trials found there was increased nitric oxide production at the locations treated with folic acid, increased cutaneous vascular conductance, and nitric-oxide dependent vasodilation.
The results of this study suggest that folic acid can improve blood vessel health. The researchers stated that they would like to further investigate if this mechanism is as effective in elderly patients with established cardiovascular disease. They suggest that talking to patients about folic acid supplementation, or adding in a daily multivitamin, may be an important counseling point to keep in mind during the warm summer months.
sources:
1. http://www.empr.com/news/folic-acid-may-help-elderly-handle-heat-waves/article/406858/
2. http://www.pharmacytimes.com/resource-centers/vitamins-supplements/weather-heat-waves-with-folic-acid-supplements
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