Doctor, Should I Take Vitamins?

Individual Vitamins and Their Value

Folic Acid (Folate)

This vitamin, found in green, leafy vegetables, fruit, grains, nuts and meats, is required to avoid one type of anemia and to prevent a form of birth defect (neural tube defects). Deficiencies are associated with an increased risk of colon cancer.

Folic acid supplementation is highly recommended for women who may become pregnant because neural tube development, critical in the formation of a normal spinal cord, is complete within the first month of pregnancy. Most obstetricians recommend that 1000 micrograms of folic acid be added to the diet of women who have previously had normal children (or who have never had children) and more for women with a history of a child with a neural tube defect.

Despite theoretical links between the effects of low folic acid and heart disease, cancer, osteoporosis and dementia, no evidence has been found that folic acid supplements reduce the risks of these diseases. In fact, evidence has shown that folic acid supplements are associated with an increased risk of developing pre-cancerous colon polyps and colon cancer, and an increased risk of heart disease.

Because of the mixed results of studies on folic acid current recommendations include supplements of between 400 and 800 micrograms for women who may become pregnant and who have no children with neural tube defects. Women with children suffering from neural tube defects should take four micrograms of folic acid starting three months prior to conception. Folic acid should be continued for at least the first three months of pregnancy.

Folic Acid Recommendation: Due to the increased risks of cancer and heart disease, folic acid supplementation is currently not recommended for men or women who may not become pregnant. Women of childbearing age are advised to take folic acid as outlined above.