Summertime Immune Support with Folic Acid – Invite Health Podcast, Episode 108
Invite Health Podcast, Episode hosted by Jerry Hickey. Ph
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On today’s episode, we are going to be talking about immune function during the summer months! Many times during the summer we put our guard down and may not think we will come across any viruses or bacteria. But actually, during the summer, we can all be subjected to these kinds of infections which is why highlighting the importance of certain nutrients, especially during the summer months, is so important. COVID-19 has not disappeared! People are still contracting this virus and certain states within the US are still seeing their case numbers increase.
The Importance of Folic Acid During The Summer
Interestingly enough, when we think about things like Vitamin D for example, most of us are now at a point where we understand that Vitamin D serum levels have a tendency to decline during the winter months. This is because you do not have as much exposure to the sun and numerous other factors, including your genetics. Most people are going to require any where from 2000 IU (international units) to 5000 IU every day, when it comes to Vitamin D3 supplementation.
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But other nutrients can have the opposite effect, including Folic acid. Folic acid is a type of water soluble B-Vitamin that is normally found in foods like beans, peas, lentils, and some green leafy vegetables including broccoli, Brussels sprouts and spinach. Folic acid helps your body produce and maintain new cells and also plays a role in making your DNA. Women who are pregnant need higher amounts of Folate, as it plays an integral role in neurological development of the child. When turning to supplementation, you will want to use the active form of Folate, which is methylfolate. 
Published in 2019 in the journal of Phytochemical and Phytobiology researchers studied the association between serum folate levels and UV radiation from the sun. UV radiation has consistently been reported to cause folate photodegradation in human skin. The study of 118,000 people reports, “Seasonal variations in UV radiation might explain seasonal changes in folate levels in the blood.” This means that every single one of the samples showed a decrease in their folate concentration in the summer. A second study studied a potential development of a folate deficiency. In this study, researchers found a 3.32% chance of participants developing a folate deficiency during the summer, as opposed to the winter.
Your New Summer Immunity Arsenal
Do not ignore the basics! A simple multivitamin is a great way to reap all of the benefits of essential vitamins and supplements. But a superior multivitamin that also contains Probiotics and Greens can help to enhance digestive health, detoxification, and immunity.
Enhance your wellness! B-Vitamins play an integral role in, not just the immune system, but also the way the body fends off oxidative stress, especially through UV exposure. Green tea has also been shown to help fend off UV radiation or exposure from the sun.
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The sunshine vitamin! We still need Vitamin D. Just because you are sitting in the sun now more than any other season, does not automatically mean you are getting adequate amounts. I encourage you to have your blood levels tested to find our what your serum Vitamin D levels are.
Thank you for tuning in to the Invite Health Podcast. You can find all of our episodes for free wherever you listen to podcasts or by visiting www.invitehealth.com/podcast. Make sure you subscribe and leave us a review! Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram at Invite Health today. We’ll see you next time on another episode of the Invite Health Podcast.
