Too much folic acid may be harmful, especially in those with a known disease or a family history of disease. However, in a healthy person, folic acid can maintain the quality of cellular DNA. For pregnant women or those of child-bearing age, folic acid may be necessary to ward off the development of spinal defects in their unborn children. Ask your doctor about the proper folic acid intake for you.
Folic Acid
Folic acid is the synthetic form of an essential B vitamin, folate. Folic acid has become a mandated addition to many grain-based food sources such as bread and cereal. It is also the version of folate you will consume in your multivitamin. Folate, though, is found naturally in leafy greens and soy.
Harm and Good
Folic acid is good for some populations, but may be harmful for others. In women of child-bearing age, folic acid can help with birth defects. During early pregnancy, folic acid promotes the healthy development of the brain and nervous system, reducing the likelihood of spinal defects. However, in others, folic acid can promote the proliferation of harmful cancerous cells.
DNA
Folate promotes the proper replication of DNA. In a healthy person with perfect DNA in each cell, this is a good thing. However, if a cell's DNA is mutated, such as in cancer, folate promotes the replication of this mutated DNA, according to a 2007 article in "U.S. News & World Report." This results in an increase in cancer cells. Both "U.S. News & World Report" and the Nutritional Education Institute report that folic acid supplementation has been linked with breast, colon and rectal cancers.
Absorption
Folic acid may not be absorbed as well as folate during digestion. Your small intestines work to convert folic acid into folate. Not all of the folic acid you take in is changed, though. This means an increase in the synthetic form of folate circulating throughout your bloodstream. Scientists are unsure of how exactly this may impact your health, but it has been theorized that this too can increase cancer risk, states the Nutritional Education Institute.
Recommendations
The National Institutes of Health recommends adults get 400mcg of folate per day. If you are pregnant, take in 600mcg per day. Speak with your doctor to discuss your daily folate needs.
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