Is folic acid supplementation to food benefit or risk for human health?

Abstract

The need for sufficient quantities of folic acid for normal embryogenesis and fetal development is well known. Women of childbearing age must be sure to have an adequate intake of folic acid periconceptionally prior to and during pregnancy. Folate plays an essential role in the biosynthesis of RNA and DNA, phospholipid and neurostransmitters synthesis, using S-adenosylmethionine (SAM) as the primary methyl group donor. In some countries, the knowledge that folic acid is preventable for the reduction of the risk for neural tube defects (NTD) and in lowering the high amount of homocysteine (Hcy) led to the recommendation that all women capable of becoming pregnant should consume 400 μg of folic acid daily. Later, in 1998, folic acid fortification of all enriched cereal grain product flour was implemented in some countries. In addition to careful monitoring of adverse effects, the studies are warranted in order to determine the potentially positive and deleterious effects of folic acid fortification and supplementation on the human health or human diseases. To further understand the metabolic action of folates we asked ourselves the question: Is the intake of a sufficient amount of this vitamin a benefit or risk for human health? © 2013 by Walter de Gruyter Berlin Boston.