It is well documented that folic acid supplementation during
pregnancy decreases the risk of fetal neural tube defects by 50 to
80%. It also decreases the levels of homocysteine in the blood,
elevated levels of which is a risk factor for coronary heart disease.
Most sources recommend that for heart disease prevention, folic acid
should be taken with vitamins B6 and B12. Some studies have indicated
that deficiencies of folic acid may be a risk factor for the
development of cance of the mouth, lung, cervix, and colon. Folic
acid deficiencies are common.
Sources
Dark green leafy vegetables, oranges, rice, brewer's yeast, beef
liver, beans, asparagus, soybeans, soy flour.
Therapeutic dosage
400 mcg - recommened to be supplemented with vitamins B6 and B12.
Safety concerns
Safe at recommended doses. However, folic supplementation can mask a
B12 defeciency. GI upset is possible at doses greater the 5 mg.
Interactions
You may need more folic acid if you are taking: aspirin or other
non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), any medication
designed to neutralize or block acid secretion in the stomach,
tetracycline or sulfa antibiotics, oral contraceptives, estrogen,
triamterene (component in Maxide), prednisone, valproic acid,
carbamazepine, isoniazid, cholestyramine, or colestipol. You may also
need more folic acid if you are taking phenytoin, phenobarbitol, or
primidone, but folic acid supplementation may intefere with the
functioning of these medications resulting in the inability of the
medications to prevent seizures. If you take pancreatin, you will
need to take folic acid at a different time of the day.