Suppresses absorption of Folic Acid. This medication is commonly used for Depression
Research suggests that folic acid supplementation can significantly improve the effectiveness of SSRI medications such as fluoxetine (commonly known as Prozac). This benefit seems to be linked to lowering blood levels of homocysteine, an amino acid. Elevated homocysteine levels have been associated with depression. Supplementing with sufficient folic acid may help the body regulate homocysteine levels, potentially creating a more favorable environment for antidepressants to work effectively.
Alec Coppen, John Bailey. Enhancement of the antidepressant action of fluoxetine by folic acid: a randomised, placebo controlled trial. Journal of Affective Disorders. Volume 60, Issue 2. 2000. Pages 121-130. Jacka FN, Maes M, Pasco JA, Williams LJ, Berk M. Nutrient intakes and the common mental disorders in women. J Affect Disord. 2012 Dec 1;141(1):79-85. Kim TH, Choi JY, Lee HH, Park Y. Associations between Dietary Pattern and Depression in Korean Adolescent Girls. J Pediatr Adolesc Gynecol. 2015 Dec;28(6):533-7. Shelton RC, Sloan Manning J, Barrentine LW, Tipa EV. Assessing Effects of l-Methylfolate in Depression Management: Results of a Real-World Patient Experience Trial. Prim Care Companion CNS Disord. 2013;15(4):PCC.13m01520.
Folate (0.2mg as L-5-Methylfolate) — 0.34 DFE
Low folate status contributes to elevated homocysteine, a metabolite that has been associated with endothelial dysfunction, arterial stiffness, and a higher risk of stroke and coronary heart disease. Large observational studies consistently show that individuals with higher homocysteine levels have greater rates of cardiovascular events, and folate intake is one of the key nutritional determinants of homocysteine. Clinically, folic acid supplementation (often combined with vitamins B6 and B12) can lower homocysteine and appears to modestly reduce stroke risk in some populations, making the identification and correction of folate deficiency an important part of broader cardiovascular risk reduction.
Folate deficiency in the periconceptional period significantly increases the risk of neural tube defects (NTDs) such as spina bifida and anencephaly, because adequate folate is required for proper closure of the embryonic neural tube in the first month of pregnancy. Large observational datasets and randomized trials have shown that appropriate folic acid supplementation before conception and in early pregnancy can reduce NTD risk by roughly 50–70% in the general population, with even greater risk reduction in women with a prior NTD‑affected pregnancy. The practical implication is that all women of childbearing potential, not just those actively planning pregnancy, are typically advised to maintain adequate daily folic acid intake so that red‑cell folate stores are sufficient well before conception occurs.