Folic Acid & Cancer Prevention

Folic acid, also known as Vitamin B9, has been known for its importance in fetal health and has become a commonly added vitamin to many processed foods. However, studies have shown that when it comes to preventing cancer, in some cases folic acid may do more harm than good.

Sources

• Folic acid is naturally found as folate in many leafy green vegetables, orange juice, fruits, nuts, peas and other foods, according to Medline Plus. Other foods, such as breads and cereals, are often fortified with folic acid. If you are worried about getting enough folic acid in your diet, you can take folic acid supplements.

Benefits

• According to Medline Plus, folic acid, the man-made form of folate, helps the body make healthy new cells. This is especially important for women who are pregnant, as folic acid has been shown to help prevent birth defects. Also, according to Womenshealth.gov, getting enough folic acid can help prevent a number of health problems, including anemia, Alzheimer's disease, and hearing loss. Folate and folic acid also keep hair, skin and nails healthy.

Dosage

• Womenshealth.gov recommends women ingest 400 micrograms of folic acid per day. Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding should get more folic acid, 600 micrograms and 500 micrograms, respectively. Some doctors recommend all women of childbearing age take at least 800 micrograms of folic acid per day, according to an article on the Los Angeles Times. While it isn't possible to get too much naturally occurring folate in your diet, it is possible to take too much folic acid. Taking more than 1,000 micrograms of folic acid per day can cause health problems, and some scientists think that overdoses of folic acid may be linked to some types of cancer.

Cancer Prevention

• The relationship between folic acid and cancer prevention is a complex one. According to Womenshealth.gov, folic acid is believed to be helpful in preventing some types of cancer. However, other recent studies have shown that folic acid may actually contribute to the development of cancer. According to an article published in the Los Angeles Times in May 2009, studies have shown that folic acid can accelerate the growth of cancers, such as leukemia. Also, while folic acid has been shown to help prevent the growth of some cancers, like colon cancer, it can also contribute to the growth of those same cancers. In countries where foods have been fortified with folic acid, scientists and doctors have seen an increase in the incidence of colorectal cancer. Studies have also shown that folic acid can contribute to the development of prostate cancer in men. Scientists are working to find the balance between levels of folic acid that are beneficial and levels that are harmful.

Before Taking Folic Acid

• You may get enough folate in your diet from the foods you eat every day. Before taking folic acid supplements or a multivitamin that contains folic acid, consult your doctor. Your health care provider can provide individualized folic acid intake recommendations based on your age, gender and health conditions.