It would be impossible to get excessive folate from natural foods. Since folic acid is more absorbable than natural folate, we run the risk of excess when we ingest the synthetic form. Once inside the cell, folic acid could then compete with natural folates for other binding sites, preventing them from functioning properly and potentially causing changes in normal gene expression or cell growth rates. This, in turn, could result in folic acid being preferentially transported into normal healthy cells instead of natural folate. In addition, synthetic folic acid can disrupt the actions of natural folate as it has a greater capability to bind to folate receptors on our cells. But it has the potential to disrupt normal folate metabolism and there is substantial evidence that it can even promote cancer growth. It is unknown exactly what unmodified folic acid does in the human body. Much of the remaining folic acid that is not converted circulates in the blood and tissues unmodified. While the body converts some synthetic folic acid to folate, it has a limited capacity to do so. Synthetic folic acid, which is chemically different than folate, is found in supplements and fortified foods and is twice as absorbable by the human body compared to natural folate. Folate is abundant in green vegetables, beans and other whole plant foods. Natural folate is beneficial when provided by whole foods, but may be harmful in supplement form as folic acid. Just to be clear: folic acid is not the same as natural folate. But excess in the form of folic acid has its own dangers. Folate deficiency, of course, is harmful. 9-11įolate is often called a double-edged sword. Adequate amounts of B vitamins including folate are important for maintaining good cognitive function throughout life. Folate is one of the many nutrients necessary for red blood cells to transport oxygen properly, and it also supports the functioning of our nervous and cardiovascular systems. 4-8įolate is also necessary beyond pregnancy and childhood, as this vitamin plays a critical role in supporting our health as adults. 2, 3 Consuming folate-rich foods before and during pregnancy may also offer protection against cardiac birth defects, childhood respiratory illnesses, and childhood cancers. This role is strongly suggested by studies that link low folate status during pregnancy to hyperactivity and other behavior problems in children, and higher folate intake with greater academic achievement in teens. After the folding of the neural tube, folate continues to play an important role in the development of the brain and nervous system. In a folate-deficient fetus, the tube may not close completely during folding, causing a neural tube defect. Even before a woman typically discovers she is pregnant, folate already is at work, making it most important to enter into a pregnancy with an adequate folate level.ĭuring the initial four weeks of pregnancy, folate plays an important role in the folding of the neural tube which is the precursor to the brain and central nervous system. Insufficient folate can have devastating effects on a pregnancy, leading to birth defects. ![]() 1 Any biological process that involves rapid growth (fetal development, childhood growth, immune function, and cancer) has the potential to be affected by your folate status. ![]() For example, folate is a crucial nutrient for synthesizing DNA, and therefore for cell division. Although this vitamin has gotten the most attention for its importance to a developing fetus, folate plays an essential role throughout our lives. Pregnancy isn’t the only time in life to focus on folate.
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