Folic acid is the synthesized version folate, one of the eight B vitamins. It maintains normal biochemical functions in your body, including the production of new cells that form DNA or that make red blood cells. Folic acid also aids in metabolic processes to keep your central nervous system and heart operating at optimal levels. Exceeding the daily recommended intake of folic acid may result in adverse effects with rare but low risk of toxicity.
Toxicity Risk
Folic acid is water-soluble, which means excess amounts you ingest are eliminated in urine. However, too high a dose at one time or excessively high doses over time may induce irreversible neurological damage caused by underlying vitamin B-12 deficiency. According to the Linus Pauling Institute, vitamin B-12 deficiency often gets misdiagnosed as folate deficiency because of the similar symptom presentation of megaloblastic anemia. Large doses of folic acid taken to correct the problem actually mask the real deficiency, resulting in nerve and brain damage. Additionally, high folic acid levels can prompt seizures in people taking anti-convulsant medications. Folate, the natural form of the vitamin from food, is not associated with any health risk of toxicity, unlike folic acid.
Daily Intake and Upper Limit
The daily recommended intake for the dietary folate equivalent, folic acid, in adults is 400 mcg. Pregnant or lactating women need increased doses of 500 to 600 mcg, based on their physician's advice. The tolerable upper intake level for folic acid is 1,000 mcg per day. A well-balanced diet provides the majority of your folate intake. However, if you are planning to become pregnant or are over the age of 65, supplemental folic acid may be warranted based on physician recommendations.
Pregnancy and Increased Intake
Increased dosing of folic acid during conception planning and throughout pregnancy significantly reduces the risk of neural tube defects during fetal development. A woman of childbearing age can take between 400 and 800 mcg of folic acid daily to protect the baby from birth defects, which might generally happen in the very early stages of pregnancy, Womenshealth.gov notes. Consultation with your physician can determine the individual dose you need.
Older Adults and Folic Acid
Aging adults may have an increased need for folic acid supplementation due to the prevalence of malabsorption syndromes that prevent proper digestion of natural folate from food, the Office of Dietary Supplements notes. This is especially the case for older adults with medical conditions, including liver or kidney disease, and those with a history of chronic alcoholism. A dose of 400 mcg per day in addition to a folate-rich diet can help older adults better absorb the nutrient. Consult your physician for recommendations before taking folic acid supplements.
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