Folate/Folic Acid

Folate (Vitamin B9) is the natural form of folic acid found in citrus fruits, green leafy vegetables, dried peas and beans, asparagus, peanuts and strawberries. Since January 1998, the FDA mandated that all flour and grain products be fortified with folic acid, the synthetic version of folate. This occurred because of the importance of this vitamin in the formation of the neural tube in the first few weeks of pregnancy often before a woman knows that she is pregnant. The neural tube develops into the brain and spinal cord. The U.S. is one of only a few countries in the world that requires this fortification. The prevalence of birth defects such as spina bifida and anencephaly has significantly declined since 1998.

Folate and folic acid are necessary for cell growth and repair. Folate/ folic acid builds red blood cells and reduces the level of homocysteine, an amino acid that has been linked to cardiovascular disease, Alzheimer’s disease and, in childbearing women, miscarriage, premature birth and low birth weight infants. Some studies indicate there may be a link between increased folate/folic acid intake and reduced risk of some cancers, though this remains controversial.

There have been no reported adverse effects associated with the intake of folate in food or supplements. However, the synthetic form, folic acid, can mask the signs of vitamin B12 deficiency. We, at the Fountain of You (for people with high homocysteine levels), encourage the Methyl Support supplement, which includes folate with B12 as well as other B vitamins. Studies have proven that inadequate intake of folate/folic acid, vitamins B6 and B12 can increase homocysteine levels.

Drugs that can negatively impact the absorption or metabolism of folate include birth control pills, methotrexate (a treatment for rheumatoid arthritis, asthma, inflammatory bowel disease and psoriasis), Azulfidine (inflammatory bowel disease medication) and Dilantin (a prescription for seizure disorders). Moderate to heavy alcohol consumption impairs both the absorption and function of folate/folic acid.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has started a campaign to encourage women of child bearing age to take 400 mcg of a folate/folic acid supplement every day. This is included in our multivitamin supplement. Visit www.cdc.gov/Features/FolicAcid for more information.

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