About 1,500 infants are born with spina bifida in the United States every year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Although the exact cause is unclear, women who do not get enough folic acid may be putting their unborn children at risk for the condition. Folic acid also serves other essential functions in the bodies of older children and adults. Taking more than the daily recommendation of this vitamin may seem like a good way to maximize benefits, but it may instead pose significant health risks.
Understanding Folic Acid
The terms folic acid and folate are used interchangeably, but there is a difference worth pointing out. Folate is a naturally occurring vitamin also known as vitamin B-9. Folic acid is a synthetic form of folate. This vitamin is required for healthy red blood cells; low folate levels contribute to anemia. Folate is essential for cell development, particularly during fetal growth and development. Women who may become pregnant are encouraged to get the proper amount of folic acid for this reason. Daily intake of 400 mcg of the vitamin can prevent up to half of neural tube defects, such as spina bifida, in babies, according to the Child Development and Rehabilitation Center at Oregon Health & Science University.
Tolerable Limits
The recommended dietary allowances for folic acid vary based on age and health status. Males and females need the same amount, which increases with age; the only exception is during pregnancy and lactation, which requires increased intake. The Institute of Medicine calls for teens and adults ages 14 and above to get 400 mcg of folic acid a day. The established upper tolerable limits for folic acid are set at 800 mcg for teens ages 14 through 18 and 1,000 mcg for adults.
Toxicity
Toxicity from folate is unlikely, but it is possible -- although rare -- to get too much folic acid through supplements and fortified foods. The main concern with consuming excessive amounts of folic acid is its connection with vitamin B-12 deficiency anemia. This form of anemia may be misdiagnosed as a folate deficiency, prompting high intake of folic acid supplements. This masks the vitamin B-12 problems, which can lead to irreversible nerve damage, according to the Linus Pauling Institute. The Office of Dietary Supplements also reports that excessive folic acid intake may increase seizure risk if you take anti-convulsant drugs.
Sources
Beyond supplements, folic acid is added to common foods to increase the public's intake of the vitamin. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration's Folate Fortification Program requires that folic acid be added to breads, egg noodles, rice and cereals. Some breakfast cereals may contain 100 percent of the recommended daily intake of folic acid in a 3/4-cup serving. Corn meals, flours and other pastas are also fortified with folic acid.
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