Balchem welcomes new research linking folate to slower biological aging

An extensive, cross-sectional study reports that older adults with higher serum folate are more likely to have a lower epigenetic age deviation, highlights Balchem. This deviation is the difference between chronological and biological age — the age of cells. 

Epigenetic health is gaining significant attention as lowering or slowing down a biological age is linked to various health benefits. This can be achieved through certain dietary or lifestyle interventions. Epigenetic modifications impact how and where genes are expressed without changing the genetic code. 

DNA methylation is one of the most common epigenetic modifications to help regulate genomic stability and gene expression. This natural process changes with age and can be used as a biomarker for biological age. 

The researchers used epigenetic clocks to quantify the epigenetic age deviation by examining DNA methylation levels. A growing body of evidence indicates that changes in epigenetics and DNA methylation patterns can affect health and well-being in later life. 

“Put simply, our DNA and our cells can ‘look’ older than we are,” comments Eric Ciappio, Ph.D., registered dietitian and senior manager of Nutrition Science at Balchem Human Nutrition and Health. “The good news is, a number of lifestyle factors can influence epigenetic age and epigenetic age deviation, including nutrients that help contribute to the body’s methyl pool and support healthy epigenetic function.” 

“This recent study was particularly interesting as it tested for associations between epigenetic age deviation and nutritional biomarkers linked to one-carbon metabolism — an interconnected biochemical network with various molecules accepting and donating methyl groups to support balanced methylation where it’s needed most.”

Uncovering epigenetic biomarkers

The research published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition used epigenetic clocks — powerful machine learning tools — to analyze the cross-sectional National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. 

The study aimed to determine associations of epigenetic biomarkers with those related to one-carbon metabolism, a biochemical pathway that plays an essential role in aging-related physiological processes. This pathway depends on micronutrients, like B vitamins, and can influence DNA methylation-based aging biomarkers. 

In addition to healthy aging and women’s health, Balchem’s Eisen says folate can help support healthy brain tissues, cognition, and cardiovascular health.By analyzing data from 2,346 participants aged 50–85, the team found that increased serum folate or vitamin B9, a promoter of one-carbon metabolism, was associated with lower epigenetic age deviation in several of the epigenetic clock tools used. 

In contrast, higher levels of blood homocysteine (an indicator of one-carbon metabolism deficiencies) were associated with a higher epigenetic age deviation. 

“These findings underscore the importance of folate in epigenetic health, as it supplies methyl groups for DNA methylation,” explains Ciappio. “As we age, our global DNA methylation levels decrease. This is where folate’s methyl-donor function comes into play — helping to maintain cellular health and optimize the integrity of our genetic material.”

Folate for healthy aging

Lauren Eisen, senior marketing and business development manager, Minerals and Nutrients at Balchem, says that cellular health and epigenetic health have started moving from scientific literature into products that support healthy aging. 

“This study signals the potential for folate to drive innovation in this space as a crucial supplier of methyl (CH3) groups for methylation of DNA and throughout the body.” 

“The key point here is that every methyl counts,” she comments. “That’s why we developed our first-of-its-kind, choline-enriched folate salt, Optifolin+, which delivers seven times the methyl groups found in standard folate forms. Optifolin+ empowers supplement brands to lead in the healthy aging category, enabling them to create next-generation supplements that support balanced methylation and epigenetic health throughout life.”

Last month, Nutrition Insight met with Eisen to examine opportunities for folate supplementation in the healthy aging market. She explained the different types of folate and how it affects methylation to promote health at every stage of life, especially since 16% of all US adults don’t obtain sufficient folate from their diet. 

“Balanced methylation is also central to maintaining cell health and the integrity of our genetic material. We want to live longer, so we should also live better,” she underscored.