Low Folic Acid Linked to Age-Associated Hearing Loss

In adults over age 50 those with the lowest level of folic acid¹ in their blood had a 34% increased risk for age-associated hearing loss.  It is believed that the low levels of folic acid lead to circulatory distress, in turn reducing the blood flow in the tiny capillaries that nourish the inner ear.

The researchers also tested for toxic levels of the normal metabolic byproduct called homocysteine It is a homologue of the amino acid cysteine that is synthesized from methionine An essential amino acid which serves as a methyl donor and is involved with the biosynthesis of other nutrients. Improper conversion is associated with production of homocysteine and atherosclerosis. which requires adequate Folic Acid, B12, and B6 to function properly. Elevated levels have been associated with heart disease, thrombosis, strokes, Alzheimer's disease, and other disorders..  Because folic acid is needed to metabolize homocysteine It is a homologue of the amino acid cysteine that is synthesized from methionine An essential amino acid which serves as a methyl donor and is involved with the biosynthesis of other nutrients. Improper conversion is associated with production of homocysteine and atherosclerosis. which requires adequate Folic Acid, B12, and B6 to function properly. Elevated levels have been associated with heart disease, thrombosis, strokes, Alzheimer's disease, and other disorders. it is likely that a lack of folic acid would lead to a possible elevation in homocysteine It is a homologue of the amino acid cysteine that is synthesized from methionine An essential amino acid which serves as a methyl donor and is involved with the biosynthesis of other nutrients. Improper conversion is associated with production of homocysteine and atherosclerosis. which requires adequate Folic Acid, B12, and B6 to function properly. Elevated levels have been associated with heart disease, thrombosis, strokes, Alzheimer's disease, and other disorders., which would be the inflammatory compound that is actually reducing the circulation.  Indeed, the researchers found that higher-than-normal homocysteine It is a homologue of the amino acid cysteine that is synthesized from methionine An essential amino acid which serves as a methyl donor and is involved with the biosynthesis of other nutrients. Improper conversion is associated with production of homocysteine and atherosclerosis. which requires adequate Folic Acid, B12, and B6 to function properly. Elevated levels have been associated with heart disease, thrombosis, strokes, Alzheimer's disease, and other disorders. was linked to a 64% increased risk of hearing loss.

While this study tested hearing loss it should be understood that the same circulatory factors a potential causes or contributors to a variety of ear-related problems, including ringing in the ears and balance issues.