Women who get lots of folic acid from both diet and supplements have less chance of developing high blood pressure than women who get very little, according to a study in Journal of American Medical Association (2005;293:320-9) that re-analyzed data from two previous studies.

Hypertension (HTN) is defined as blood pressure higher than 140/90 mm Hg. HTN affects approximately 65 million people in United States, and prevalence is increasing as population ages. Blood pressure is influenced by openness and elasticity of blood vessels; HTN indicates loss of elasticity, narrowing of vessels, or both. It is frequently caused by plaque formation along inner vessel walls (atherosclerosis). Because heart pumps against resistance (pressure) of arteries, HTN increases work heart must do to keep blood flowing to all parts of body. Chronic HTN can therefore cause thickening of heart muscle and eventual heart failure. HTN also increases risk of stroke and kidney failure. Preventing HTN is critical to reducing incidence of heart disease, leading cause of death in US. Public health recommendations are based on evidence that a diet rich in fruits and vegetables and low in saturated fats, combined with regular moderate exercise, can protect against HTN.

Folic acid, one of B vitamins, occurs naturally in many plant foods (such as beans and green leafy vegetables) and is commonly found in multivitamins and B-complex supplements. Due to its role in preventing some birth defects, a number of foods are now fortified with folic acid, such as cold cereals and other grain products. Along with vitamins B6 and B12, folic acid lowers blood levels of homocysteine, an amino acid that has been found to be a heart disease risk factor. Several small studies have suggested that folic acid supplements might improve health of vessel walls and lower blood pressure.

Data from two previous studies of health and disease patterns in women in US, known as Nurses' Health Study I and II, were used in current study to examine effect of dietary and supplemental folic acid intake on HTN.

The topic of hair loss is a big one that affects many people in population. We have all seen commercials and late night advertisements promising balding men a re-growth of hair. We’ve seen commercials that make you think when you re-grow your hair you will get all beautiful women and be more successful. But most of us know that this is just a marketing scheme to sell product.

But what about women that suffer from hair loss? We don’t see that as much on TV. But women’s hair loss is a very common problem although it may not be talked about as much. It is estimated that 1 in 4 women may suffer from some type of hair loss at some time in their lives.

While this hair loss may be a very common thing, it can still be very traumatic to a woman who is losing her hair. So if you are experiencing something like this, then what should you do? Well, first thing you should do is learn as much as you can about women’s hair loss and try to learn what may be causing your hair loss.