Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 2

Folate (vitamin B9) supplementation in individuals with Down syndrome is primarily justified by scientific reasoning, though the strength of evidence supporting clinical benefits is limited. Down syndrome is associated with disturbances in the folate/homocysteine metabolic pathway, often resulting in abnormal methylation status and potential increased risk of certain medical complications. Some studies have documented that people with Down syndrome may have altered folate metabolism due to overexpression of genes on chromosome 21, including cystathionine-beta-synthase, which can impact homocysteine and folate levels.

Based on these biochemical findings, folate supplementation has been proposed as a way to support proper methylation processes and potentially ameliorate some cognitive or developmental issues, as well as reduce homocysteine, a risk factor for vascular disease. However, clinical trials have generally not shown significant improvements in cognitive function with folate or related B-vitamin supplementation in people with Down syndrome. The evidence base is largely biochemical and theoretical, rather than demonstrating clear, reproducible clinical benefits.

Nonetheless, folate remains important for general health, and individuals with Down syndrome should receive adequate dietary intake to avoid deficiency. Some clinicians may recommend supplementation for specific cases of deficiency or elevated homocysteine, but routine high-dose folate supplementation as a therapy for Down syndrome itself is not strongly supported by current scientific evidence.

More about folate
More about Down Syndrome

Other ingredients used for Down Syndrome

Other health conditions supported by folate

Products containing folate

Thorne 5-MTHF 1 mg Folate
Thorne 5-MTHF 5 mg Folate
Integrative Therapeutics Active B-Complex
Vitabase Active Man's Formula
Vitabase Active Woman's Multi
Metagenics AdvaClear
Metagenics AdvaClear
Thorne Advanced Bone Support Oscap
Thorne Advanced Nutrients Multivitamin
Metagenics ArginCor®
Metagenics Arginine Plus™
Metagenics Axis Endo™ Mango
Douglas Laboratories B-Complex
Vitabase B-Complex 100 mg Sustained Release
Thorne B-Complex #12
Thorne B-Complex #6
Pure Encapsulations B-Complex Plus
Pure Encapsulations B-Complex Plus
Designs For Health B-Supreme
Designs For Health B-Supreme
Pure Encapsulations B12 Folate
Pure Encapsulations B6 Complex
Pure Encapsulations B6 Complex
Thorne Basic B Complex
Thorne Basic Nutrients 2/Day Multivitamin
Thorne Basic Prenatal Multivitamin
Metagenics Blisphora®
Thorne Catalyte
Metagenics Ceralin® Forte
Vitabase Cholesterol Support
Metagenics Clear Change 10-Day Detox Program with UltraClear Plus Berry
Metagenics Clear Change 10-Day Detox Program with UltraClear Plus pH
Metagenics Clear Change 10-Day Detox Program with UltraClear Plus pH Pineapple Banana
Metagenics Clear Change 10-Day Detox Program with UltraClear Plus Pineapple Banana
Metagenics Clear Change 10-Day Detox Program with UltraClear Plus Vanilla
Metagenics Clear Change 10-Day Detox Program with UltraClear RENEW Berry
Metagenics Clear Change 10-Day Detox Program with UltraClear RENEW Chai
Metagenics Clear Change 10-Day Detox Program with UltraClear RENEW Vanilla
Metagenics Clear Change 28-Day Detox Program with UltraClear Plus Berry
Metagenics Clear Change 28-Day Detox Program with UltraClear Plus pH Pineapple Banana
Metagenics Clear Change 28-Day Detox Program with UltraClear Plus pH Vanilla
Metagenics Clear Change 28-Day Detox Program with UltraClear Plus Pineapple Banana
Metagenics Clear Change 28-Day Detox Program with UltraClear Plus Vanilla
Metagenics Clear Change 28-Day Detox Program with UltraClear RENEW Berry
Metagenics Clear Change 28-Day Detox Program with UltraClear RENEW Chai
Metagenics Clear Change 28-Day Detox Program with UltraClear RENEW Vanilla
Metagenics Clear Change Daily Essentials
Integrative Therapeutics Clinical Nutrients HP
Thorne Craving and Stress Support Relora Plus
Integrative Therapeutics Detoxication Factors
Designs For Health DFH Complete Multi™
Designs For Health DFH Complete Multi™ with Copper
Designs For Health DFH Complete Multi™ with Copper & Iron
Pure Encapsulations DopaPlus
Vitabase Easy Iron
Pure Encapsulations Energize Plus™ Pure Pack
Metagenics EstroFactors®
Metagenics Fem Prenatal®
Designs For Health FemGuard+Balance™
Thorne Ferrasorb
Metagenics FolaPro
Pure Encapsulations Folate 1,000
Pure Encapsulations Folate 400
Pure Encapsulations Folate 5,000
Pure Encapsulations Folate 5,000 Plus
Pure Encapsulations Folic Acid
Metagenics GI Sustain™ Powder
Metagenics Glutagenics
Integrative Therapeutics Glycemic Manager
Metagenics Glycogenics
Vitabase Hair, Skin & Nails Formula
Pure Encapsulations Hair/Skin/Nails Ultra
Metagenics Hemagenics
Metagenics Hemagenics
Metagenics HerSynergy®
Pure Encapsulations Homocysteine Factors
Pure Encapsulations Homocysteine Factors
Designs For Health Homocysteine Supreme™
Designs For Health Homocysteine Supreme™
Metagenics Intrinsi B-12 Folate
Metagenics Intrinsi B12-Folate
Integrative Therapeutics Iron Complex
Integrative Therapeutics K-PAX MitoNutrients
Metagenics Ketogenic Shake Chocolate
Metagenics Ketogenic Shake Vanilla
Klean Athlete Klean B-Complex
Klean Athlete Klean Multivitamin ™
Designs For Health L-5-MTHF 1700MCG
Designs For Health L-5-MTHF 8500 MCG
Thorne L-Arginine Plus Perfusia Plus
Vitabase Life's Essentials Plus
Metagenics Lipo-Gen™
Metagenics Lipo-Gen
Designs For Health Liposomal B Supreme
Integrative Therapeutics Lipotropic Complex
Pure Encapsulations Lipotropic Detox
Integrative Therapeutics Liquid Iron
Thorne MediClear Plus
Thorne Men's Multi 50+
Metagenics Meta-Sitosterol™ 2.0
Designs For Health Metabolic Synergy™
Designs For Health Metabolic Synergy™
Metagenics MetaGlycemX™
Metagenics MetaGlycemX
Metagenics MetaKids Multi Soft Chew Grape
Metagenics MetaKids Nutrition Powder Chocolate
Metagenics MetaKids Nutrition Powder Vanilla
Metagenics MetaRelax®
Douglas Laboratories Methyl B12 Plus
Douglas Laboratories Methyl Folate
Douglas Laboratories Methyl Folate
Douglas Laboratories Methyl Folate 5 mg
Thorne Methyl-Guard
Thorne Methyl-Guard Plus
Pure Encapsulations MethylAssist
Metagenics MethylCare
Metagenics MitoVive
Designs For Health Mood-Stasis™
Pure Encapsulations Multi t/d
Pure Encapsulations Multi t/d
Thorne Multi-Vitamin Elite NSF
Thorne Multi-Vitamin Elite NSF
Metagenics Multigenics®
Metagenics Multigenics Chewable Orange
Metagenics Multigenics Intensive Care
Metagenics Multigenics Intensive Care without Iron
Metagenics Multigenics without Iron
Integrative Therapeutics Multiplex-1 No-Iron
Pure Encapsulations NeuroMood Pure Pack
Pure Encapsulations NeuroPure
Designs For Health NeuroRenew™
Designs For Health NOx Synergy™
Pure Encapsulations Nutrient 950®
Pure Encapsulations Nutrient 950®
Pure Encapsulations Nutrient 950®
Pure Encapsulations Nutrient 950® A without Copper & Iron
Pure Encapsulations Nutrient 950® with NAC
Pure Encapsulations Nutrient 950® with Vitamin K
Pure Encapsulations Nutrient 950® without Copper, Iron & Iodine
Pure Encapsulations Nutrient 950® without Iron
Pure Encapsulations Nutrient 950® without Iron
Integrative Therapeutics Nutrivitamin No-Iron
Pure Encapsulations O.N.E.™ Multivitamin
Pure Encapsulations O.N.E.™ Multivitamin
Pure Encapsulations O.N.E.™ Multivitamin
Designs For Health OcuForce™
Integrative Therapeutics Osteoprime Forte
Integrative Therapeutics Osteoprime Ultra
Thorne Ovarian Care
Designs For Health PaleoCleanse Plus™
Designs For Health PaleoCleanse Plus™
Designs For Health PaleoCleanse Plus™ Detox Program
Designs For Health PaleoCleanse Plus™Chocolate Detox Kit
Designs For Health PaleoMeal®
Designs For Health PaleoMeal®
Integrative Therapeutics Physicians Elemental Diet Dextrose Free
Integrative Therapeutics Physician's Elemental Diet
Integrative Therapeutics Physician's Elemental Diet
Integrative Therapeutics Physicians Elemental Diet Kit
Metagenics PhytoMulti™ Multivitamin
Metagenics PhytoMulti With Iron
Metagenics PhytoMulti Without Iron
Metagenics PhytoMultivitamin
Designs For Health Plant Protein Cleanse
Designs For Health Plant Protein Cleanse Plus™ 570g
Designs For Health Plant Protein Meal
Designs For Health Plant Protein Meal Plus
Designs For Health Plant Protein Meal
Metagenics PlusOne® Daily Prenatal Packs
Pure Encapsulations Polyphenol Nutrients
Pure Encapsulations Polyphenol Nutrients
Douglas Laboratories Prenatal
Pure Encapsulations PreNatal Nutrients
Pure Encapsulations PreNatal Nutrients
Designs For Health Prenatal Pro™
Designs For Health Primal Multi™
Integrative Therapeutics ProThrivers Multivitamin
Pure Encapsulations PureGenomics® B-Complex
Pure Encapsulations PureGenomics® Multivitamin
Pure Encapsulations PureGenomics® UltraMultivitamin
Pure Encapsulations PureLean® Protein
Pure Encapsulations PureMelt B12 Folate
Pure Encapsulations PurePals
Pure Encapsulations PurePals with Iron
Pure Encapsulations PureResponse™ Multivitamin
Douglas Laboratories Relora ®-Plex
Metagenics Renagen™ DTX
Pure Encapsulations RevitalAge™ Nerve
Designs For Health SAMe
Designs For Health SAMe
Pure Encapsulations SeroPlus
Metagenics SeroSyn
Thorne Stress B-Complex
Douglas Laboratories Stress-B-Plus ™
Designs For Health Super Liquid Folate
Vitabase Super Stress Formula
Metagenics Testralin®
Designs For Health Trifolamin™ lozenges
Designs For Health Twice Daily Essential Packets
Designs For Health Twice Daily Multi™
Designs For Health Twice Daily Multi™
Designs For Health Twice Daily Multi™
Douglas Laboratories Ultra B-Complex
Pure Encapsulations Ultra B-Complex with PQQ
Designs For Health Ultra B12-Folate
Metagenics Ultra Glucose Control® Chocolate
Metagenics Ultra Glucose Control Chocolate
Metagenics Ultra Glucose Control Vanilla
Metagenics Ultra Glucose Control Vanilla
Douglas Laboratories Ultra Preventive
Douglas Laboratories Ultra Preventive
Douglas Laboratories Ultra Preventive ® 2 Daily
Douglas Laboratories Ultra Preventive 50+ -EZ Swallow
Douglas Laboratories Ultra Preventive ®-EZ Swallow
Douglas Laboratories ULTRA PREVENTIVE® III W/COPPER
Douglas Laboratories Ultra Preventive ® Kids Grape Flavor
Douglas Laboratories Ultra Preventive ® Kids Orange Flavor
Douglas Laboratories Ultra Preventive One Daily
Douglas Laboratories Ultra Preventive® X
Douglas Laboratories Ultra Protein Green
Pure Encapsulations Ultra Pure Pack
Metagenics UltraClear Detox Powder
Metagenics UltraClear Plus® Detox Powder
Metagenics UltraClear Plus Detox Powder Berry
Metagenics UltraClear Plus Detox Powder Pineapple/Banana
Metagenics UltraClear Plus pH Detox Powder Pineapple/Banana
Metagenics UltraClear Plus pH Detox Powder Vanilla
Metagenics UltraClear RENEW Detox Powder Berry
Metagenics UltraClear RENEW Detox Powder Chai
Metagenics UltraClear RENEW Detox Powder Vanilla
Pure Encapsulations UltraDetox 10-Day Pure Pack
Metagenics UltraGI Replenish® Chocolate
Metagenics UltraGI Replenish Chocolate
Metagenics UltraGI Replenish Vanilla
Metagenics UltraGI Replenish Vanilla
Metagenics UltraInflamX Plus 360°® Chocolate/Orange
Metagenics UltraInflamX Plus 360° Mango
Metagenics UltraInflamX Plus 360° Mango
Metagenics UltraInflamX Plus 360° Orange
Metagenics UltraInflamX Plus 360° Original Spice
Metagenics UltraInflamX Plus 360° Pineapple/Banana
Metagenics UltraInflamX Plus 360° Pineapple/Banana
Metagenics UltraMeal Advanced Protein® Dutch Chocolate
Metagenics UltraMeal Advanced Protein French Vanilla
Metagenics UltraMeal Advanced Protein Plain
Metagenics UltraMeal Cardio 360°® Pea/Rice Chocolate
Metagenics UltraMeal Cardio 360° Pea/Rice Vanilla
Metagenics UltraMeal® Daily Support Dutch Chocolate
Metagenics UltraMeal Daily Support Mixed Berry
Metagenics UltraMeal Rice Vanilla
Pure Encapsulations UltraNutrient®
Pure Encapsulations UltraNutrient®
Pure Encapsulations UltraNutrient®
Pure Encapsulations VisionPro Nutrients
Metagenics Wellness Essentials Active Daily Packs
Metagenics Wellness Essentials Brain Health Daily Packs
Metagenics Wellness Essentials® Daily Packs
Metagenics Wellness Essentials Healthy Balance Daily Packs
Metagenics Wellness Essentials Men's Vitality Daily Packs
Metagenics Wellness Essentials Women's Daily Packs
Metagenics Wellness Essentials Women's Prime Daily Packs
Thorne Women's Multi 50+
Pure Encapsulations Women's Nutrients
Pure Encapsulations Women's Nutrients
Designs For Health Women's Twice Daily Essential Packets