Is Folic Acid Bad For You?
Also Known As: vitamin M, vitamin B9, vitamin Bc
Short answer
Although folic acid can be beneficial in some situations, excessive consumption can cause more harm than good. We highly recommend opting for foods naturally rich in folate, rather than consuming its synthetic counterpart.
A fairly even ratio of beneficial and harmful qualities. Moderation is important. Very general topics that can lean towards both sides of the spectrum will be placed here as well. Rice, for example, can be good or bad depending on the type.
View Full Grading System
Category 'A'
Very healthy and numerous health benefits. Side effects are rare. Things rated an 'A+' are typically necessary for survival (for example, water).
Very healthy and numerous health benefits. A few harmful qualities may be associated, but only under certain circumstances such as an allergic reaction.
Very healthy and numerous health benefits. Harmful qualities may be associated, but aren't usually serious.
It is important to note that even the best things in life can become bad in immoderate amounts. So, although something may be rated an 'A+', overconsumption/overdoing can bring unwanted effects.
Category 'B'
Very beneficial to your health. Things rated a 'B+' may have a few harmful qualities to pay attention to.
Overall beneficial to your health. Things rated a 'B' may have some harmful qualities to pay attention to.
More beneficial to your health than not. However, harmful qualities are most likely associated and shouldn't be overlooked.
The main difference between category 'A' and category 'B' is the harmful qualities typically present in 'B' items. Serious side effects are usually uncommon, but are still possible and should be taken note of.
Category 'C'
Both beneficial and harmful qualities associated. Things rated a 'C+' are typically a bit more on the beneficial side. Still, moderation is important.
A fairly even ratio of beneficial and harmful qualities. Moderation is important. Very general topics that can lean towards both sides of the spectrum will be placed here as well. Rice, for example, can be good or bad depending on the type.
More harmful than beneficial. Side effects are common, especially when consumed/done excessively. Moderation is very important.
Category 'C' usually denotes to both good and bad qualities. When it comes to this category, it is important to keep this word in mind: moderation.
Category 'D'
Harmful to your health. Although benefits may be associated, the bad most likely outweighs the good. Moderation is very important.
Harmful to your health. A few benefits may be associated, but the bad outweighs the good. Moderation is extremely important.
Harmful to your health. Very few, if any, benefits are present. Things in this category should be avoided as much as possible.
Category 'D' is typically for things that are more harmful than beneficial. While consuming/doing something unhealthy once in a blue moon shouldn't hurt, we definitely recommend eliminating 'D' items as a regular part of your routine/diet.
Category 'F'
Category 'F' is for things that fail to bring anything beneficial to the table, and are very harmful to your health. We recommend completely avoiding anything in this category. Long-term side effects of 'F' items are usually very serious.
Category 'N'
'N' stands for neutral. Things placed into this category are generally (a) neither good nor bad for you, or (b) lack the necessary evidence to reach any conclusions.
Long answer
Folate (also referred to as vitamin B9) is a term applied to a collection of water soluble b-vitamins that occur naturally. Without the full range of these natural substances, our bodies can become susceptible to a host of diseases like coronary heart disease, neural tube defects, Alzheimer’s, hearing loss and a variety of cancers.
Folic acid is a synthetic substance created in 1941. As of 1998, federal law mandates that folic acid be added to food items like cereals, breads, pasta, flour and many others and today it has pretty much replaced the natural forbearer.
Folate is converted into tetrahydrofolate (THF) in the small intestine fairly easily so the body can use it. Folic acid, on the other hand, can only be converted into THF in the presence of an enzyme dihydrofolate reductase in the liver. Unfortunately, this enzyme is not too active in the body. The minimal activity of this enzyme coupled with the high intake of folic acid from the fortified foods leads to elevated levels of folic acid entering the blood stream without being metabolized. A number of studies have confirmed the presence of folic acid in plasma after consumption of folic acid fortified foods which in turn is linked to a reduction in the presence of natural killer (NK) cells. NK cells respond rapidly to "bad cells" and work to wipe out infections, tumor growth, etc. Naturally, the fewer CK cells present, the weaker your immune system.
The reason for adding folic acid to various food items was to eliminate folate deficiencies. Appropriate folate consumption is associated with helping red blood cell development, supporting the functioning of the nervous system and preventing neural tube defects in babies. This is why it is recommended that pregnant women take roughly twice the amount of folate as post child bearing aged women and men. It is difficult to meet this quantity on diet alone, hence the need for vitamins during pregnancy. It is better that pregnant women take supplements with folate and not folic acid.
The remaining population can easily attain the required amount of folate from a well-balanced diet. Foods that house elevated quantities of folate include green vegetables like broccoli, spinach, lettuce, and okra, and fruits like bananas, lemons, and melons. Additionally, beans, mushrooms, and meats like liver or kidney are also high in folate.
Possible short-term side effects
- abdominal cramps
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diarrhea
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rash
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sleep disorders
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irritability
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confusion
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nausea
Possible long-term side effects
- lowered immunity (ck cell reduction)
Commonly found in
Benefits
- proven to help prevent neural tube defects
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Written by Desmond Richard
Published on: 07-03-2016
Last updated: 12-10-2016
Thank you for your feedback!
Written by Desmond Richard
Published on: 07-03-2016
Last updated: 12-10-2016
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