Folate is commonly linked to pregnancy, but did you know it can have a role in healthy aging? At the Toronto Functional Medicine Centre, our IV Lounge can administer folic acid as IV therapy – and new patients are welcome to book their initial appointment!
Folate – which is also called vitamin B9 or folic acid – drives cellular functions and red blood cell production in the human body. It’s added to prenatal supplements to prevent neural tube defects in the fetus. However, studies have shown that low levels of B9 may be linked to aging obstacles, such as declining cognitive function in older adults.
This article explains how B9 levels can impact aging, the beneficial effects of this nutritional supplement, and details about our vitamin drip therapy treatments.
What Does B9 Have to Do with Aging?
According to a paper from the BMJ: British Medical Journal, folic acid is needed for every life stage; but for seniors in particular, this deficiency may drive impediments to brain function, which can boost the risks of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.
Thus, this link between folate deficiency and aging can be significant for some individuals as they age. In fact, High homocysteine has been correlated with Alzheimer’s disease in research, though more studies are needed to confirm a direct causal relationship. In the body, folate is tasked with breaking down
“…[I]nterventions that reduce homocysteine levels, such as folic acid supplementation, have been suggested as potential prevention strategies against Alzheimer’s disease.’
– Alzheimer’s & Dementia: The journal of the Alzheimer’s Association, 2025
homocysteine, which is a type of amino acid. When you lack B9, your body cannot properly break down homocysteine. This can lead to excessive amounts of the amino acid, which can boost your risks for dementia. It’s been thought that supplementing with folic acid could support the conversion of homocysteine into methionine, which may possibly help prevent Alzheimer’s disease.
Potential Anti-Aging Benefits from Folate Supplementation
If you’re concerned about forming the downsides of aging, taking folate can be considered, especially for supporting cognitive function. It may potentially promote other positive effects, too:
- May offer mood support: One of the symptoms of B9 deficiency is depression. Supplementing with B9 could contribute to regulating neurotransmitters, such as serotonin and dopamine.
- Might contribute to managing cardiovascular health: High homocysteine is linked to heart conditions. Some scientists posit that supplementing with folic acid may reduce cardiovascular disease risks by roughly 20%.
- May prevent age-related macular degeneration (AMD): Folate is mandatory for DNA repair and when you lack this vitamin, your eye health can be hindered. In one study on older adults, it was shown that optimal levels of B5, B6 and B9 in their bodies lowered their chances of forming advanced AMD.
- Might protect against breast cancer (under certain conditions): According to the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, in a study of 50,000 women (conducted over time), it was speculated that adequate levels of folate may be beneficial for lowering breast cancer risks; however, only for breast cancer cases linked to alcohol.
Next Steps: Should You Get Intravenous Therapy?
If you’re interested in folic acid for aging, should you take oral vitamins or get IV therapy? This isn’t a simple answer because we’re biologically distinct due to genetics, medical conditions, lifestyle and environmental factors – hence, this calls for a consultation with a functional practitioner.
Absorption issues and nutrient deficiencies can come with aging. For example, “… just as the muscles throughout your body might tire more easily than they did in your 20s and 30s, the muscles in your gastrointestinal tract … can slow down,” explains the University of Michigan. That said, IV therapy in Toronto may be appropriate for optimizing your absorption of nutrients.
IV therapy allows for a rapid delivery of nutrients into the bloodstream, which can be immediately used by the body for healing. Due to the fact that IV nutritional solutions enter the bloodstream only – without touching the digestive tract – you’re guaranteed a full absorption of vitamins without enzymes ‘eating up’ much-needed doses of nutrients. Oral supplements should not be neglected, though – if you consume these regularly while getting IV drips, they can help maximize your nutrient intake.
If you’ve recently noticed lags in your athletic performance, daily energy levels, or weight loss, we can customize your health strategies! Aging can alter various aspects of wellness, but by applying the functional medicine model, we can begin scrutinizing the source of your health issues.
Nourish Your Body with Nutrients in Our IV Lounge Today
A treatment plan from the Toronto Functional Medicine Centre can contain a wide range of modalities, combining conventional treatments with hormone optimization therapies, naturopathic and herbal medicines, holistic nutrition, psychotherapy, acupuncture and more. Intravenous treatments are available in our IV Lounge and these can be integrated into your treatment plan as adjuvant therapies. Therapeutic doses of drips are tailored with the principles of functional medicine – this means that each IV drip is unique to each patient’s biological needs only!
When IV drip treatments are combined with healthy habits and additional treatment modalities, they can contribute to health enhancements. Our IV Lounge offers plenty of key nutrients for intravenous therapy, including folic acid, vitamin C, a variety of essential minerals and amino acids, glutathione, IV NAD+, and more. Vitamin drip therapy can also be arranged to target specific health goals, such as supporting tissue repair for physical exertions or boosting collagen levels for skin health recovery.
Note: We prioritize safety in our IV Lounge. Each IV therapy appointment is supervised by our team of naturopathic doctors, nurse practitioners and registered nurses. Please don’t hesitate to approach us with comments or concerns – we’re a patient-centred practice, so we encourage you to discover more about your wellness!
Do you need help with understanding your daily supplements? Or are you struggling with chronic symptoms, such as brain fog, digestive issues, or food sensitivities? Request your consult for supportive IV therapy from the Toronto Functional Medicine Centre – simply click here to begin!
Disclaimer: The information in this article is designed for educational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for informed medical advice or care. This information should not be used to diagnose or treat any health problems or illnesses without consulting a doctor. You should always consult with a health care practitioner before relying on any information in this article or on this website. Never delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice from your doctor or other qualified healthcare provider because of information you have read from the Toronto Functional Medicine Centre website or other affiliate media.
References
“Aging and Digestive Health: 6 Factors to Watch For” from the University of Michigan, Michigan Medicine department, posted July 29, 2016, viewed on May 20, 2025.
Araújo, J. R., Martel, F., Borges, N., Araújo, J. M., & Keating, E. (2015). Folates and aging: Role in mild cognitive impairment, dementia and depression. Ageing Research Reviews, 22, 9-19. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.arr.2015.04.005
Corrada, M. M., Kawas, C. H., Hallfrisch, J., Muller, D., & Brookmeyer, R. (2005). Reduced risk of Alzheimer’s disease with high folate intake: The Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging. Alzheimer’s & Dementia : The Journal of the Alzheimer’s Association, 1(1), 11. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jalz.2005.06.001
Ho, R. C., Cheung, M. W., Fu, E., Win, H. H., Zaw, M. H., Ng, A., & Mak, A. (2011). Is High Homocysteine Level a Risk Factor for Cognitive Decline in Elderly? A Systematic Review, Meta-Analysis, and Meta-Regression. The American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 19(7), 607-617. https://doi.org/10.1097/JGP.0b013e3181f17eed
Reynolds, E. H. (2002). Folic acid, ageing, depression, and dementia. BMJ : British Medical Journal, 324(7352), 1512. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.324.7352.1512
J Merle, B. M., Barthes, S., Féart, C., Cougnard-Grégoire, A., Korobelnik, F., Rougier, B., Delyfer, N., & Delcourt, C. (2022). B Vitamins and Incidence of Advanced Age-Related Macular Degeneration: The Alienor Study. Nutrients, 14(14), 2821. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu14142821
Li Y, Huang T, Zheng Y, Muka T, Troup J, Hu FB. Folic Acid Supplementation and the Risk of Cardiovascular Diseases: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials. J Am Heart Assoc. 2016 Aug 15;5(8):e003768. doi: 10.1161/JAHA.116.003768. PMID: 27528407; PMCID: PMC5015297.
Li, M., et al. (2023). Associations between serum folate levels and retinal vein occlusion: A cross-sectional study. BMC Ophthalmology, 23, 369. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12886-023-03149-z
Smith, A. D., Refsum, H., Bottiglieri, T., Fenech, M., Hooshmand, B., McCaddon, A., Miller, J. W., Rosenberg, I. H., & Obeid, R. (2018). Homocysteine and Dementia: An International Consensus Statement. Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease. https://doi.org/10.3233_JAD-171042
Tsugane, S., et al. (2022). Dietary intakes of vitamins B5 and B6 and risk of age-related macular degeneration in a Japanese population: the JPHC Study. British Journal of Nutrition, 128(10), 2023–2032. https://doi.org/10.1017/S000711452200205
“Vitamin B9 (Folic acid)” from Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, viewed on May 20, 2025.
Original article "Toronto Functional Medicine Centre – (416) 968-6961" first appeared in the Toronto Functional Medicine Centre website.
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