Folic acid, also known as vitamin B9, is essential to many of the functions that go on inside the human body. Your body uses folic acid to create and repair DNA as well as many other biological functions. Folic acid is especially helpful in cell division which makes it extremely important for growth. This makes folic acid an important nutrient for all expecting mothers.
Lucy Wills discovered a link between folic acid and anemia during pregnancy back in 1931. Wills observed the fact that anemia could be overcome by consuming yeast, a great source of folic acid. It was first extracted in its pure form in the early 1940s from spinach leaves. This early research also led to the discovery of an antifolate known as aminopterin. Aminopterin went on to become the first ever anticancer drug in the last 1940s. By the late 1960s scientists had discovered links between folate deficiency and birth defects. In the late 90s scientists in the US discovered that many people were not able to meet their daily needs for folic acid, despite the many different foods which contain it. Because of this the US founded the Folate Fortification Program to help people learn about the importance of folic acid.
After the discovery that folic acid deficiency was a leading contributor to neural tube defects in pregnant women, governments and other organizations worldwide has begun to recommend folic acid as a supplement for all pregnant women, or any woman who intends to become pregnant.
Many countries have also started fortifying their flour supplies with folic acid to help ensure people are getting enough in their diet. This program has raised some concerns about personal liberties, including the issue of folic acid fortification masking B12 deficiency, which can lead to pernicious anaemia and other neurological disorders.
People who consume too much folic acid are at risk of vitamin B12 deficiency, and might never even know it. Folic acid will mask most of the effects of B12 deficiency, except for the neurological damage caused by a B12 deficiency. Not only that but high levels of folic acid can also make B12 deficiency worse and increase the severity of cognitive symptoms caused by the B12 deficiency. This makes folic acid fortification dangerous for those already consuming high levels of folic acid.
There are few other overdose risks associated with folic acid. There have also never been any correlations between naturally ingested folic acids found from foods and overdose. Only dietary supplements will put you at risk for an overdose, though this is quite rare. Upper intake levels are rated at 1mg per day for adult men and women, which should never be surpassed to avoid any chance of masking a B12 deficiency.
Folic acid can be found in leafy green vegetables as well as in cereals and breads. Cereals and breads are the greatest source of folic acid found in Western diets. Other foods containing folic acid include egg yolks, yeast, sunflower seeds, liver and most legumes including beans, lentils and peas. Folate deficiency is caused by a lack of folic acid in the diet. It can cause a wide range of health problems including birth defects in the neural tube of a developing embryo.
Symptoms of folate deficiency might include shortness of breath, weakness, numb arms or legs, and diarrhea. Long term folate deficiency can cause nerve damage in the body, pregnancy complications, confusion, forgetfulness or a number of other mental conditions. It can also cause symptoms like mouth sores, headaches, chest pains, irritability and a wide range of behavioral disorders. Not only that, but because folic acid is needed for DNA repair, folate deficiency can also be a contributing factor for development of cancer.