Folate is the water-soluble form of vitamin B9, naturally found in many foods. It helps in the formation of DNA and RNA, and it is also involved in the metabolism of protein. In addition, folate is needed to manufacture healthy red blood cells and is very important during rapid growth.

Due to its health benefits, this vitamin is sold as a food supplement in the form of folic acid. Since it is present in many foods that we eat, there is no need for most people to worry about having low folate levels. As much as folate deficiency can affect the body's normal functioning, experts are also expressing their concerns over having high folate levels.

Risks of High Folate Levels

Having low and excessive folate is linked to similar health conditions, such as certain types of cancers. This was confirmed by a 2007 study by gastroenterologist Dr. Young-In Kim from St. Michael's Hospital. In this research, an average amount of folic acid supplements destroyed the colorectal tumors formed due to low folate levels. However, high folate levels from excessive supplements promoted tumor growth again.

A high amount of folate in the blood could also trigger the harmful effects of vitamin B12 deficiency. Scientists discovered that folate could mask megaloblastic anemia caused by vitamin B12 deficiency. Since excessive folate has the potential to interfere with the treatment of anemia caused by low vitamin B12, other neuropathic damages in the patient might occur until the symptoms become worse.

Another issue concerning high folate levels is the acceleration of age-related mental decline, especially in people with low levels of vitamin B12. People with excess folate in their bodies are 3.5 times more likely to suffer from loss of brain function than those with normal folate levels.

Although folate intake is encouraged during pregnancy to lower the risks of congenital disabilities, too much might increase insulin resistance and slow the baby's brain development. Children 4 to 5 years old whose mothers took excessive amounts of folate supplements scored lower on brain development tests than children of women who maintained normal folate levels.

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How Much Folate Does a Person Need?

The amount of folate needed by a person is measured in terms of dietary folate equivalent (DFE). Nutritionists use this because each person has different ways of processing natural folate than folic acid.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), most people aged 14 and older need 400 micrograms of DFE as their 100% daily value for folate. The agency also recommends getting this amount from a person's diet.

The same amount of folate is recommended for women who are not pregnant or breastfeeding to prevent having a low number of red blood cells. If a woman is pregnant or planning to get pregnant, she must take 600 micrograms of folate daily. The higher amount is because pregnant women are more prone to anemia. For breastfeeding mothers, 500 micrograms daily intake is suggested.

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