Re: dosage for folic acid aka folate

[Guest guest]

Everyone

OOPS. My online searches AND a nutrition/metabolism textbook both confirm

that there is virtually NO folate toxicity, even at truly gigantic dosages.

And by the way, folate is commonly PRESCRIBED in pregnancy, specifically

because it's known to make neural tube defects much less likely.

I don't know why my bottle has the warnings I reported, but it does. VERY

sorry for the confusion. I jumped to conclusions because I didn't check

further, and I did remember that there ARE some supplements (like vitamin D,

but apparently NOT folic acid) that can be trouble in not-too-many DV

multiples. Also, the most common of these troubles is not outright toxicity

so much as absorption interactions with other supplements. At least I DID

get it right, that 400 mcg. folate IS the DV for adults.

One related note. The CDC site referenced below says " Large amounts of folic

acid may hide the ability to quickly diagnose a rare vitamin B-12

deficiency, pernicious anemia. " My textbook agrees, saying that " A

tolerable upper intake level for adults aged 19 and older, of 1,000 mcg for

synthetic folate has been suggested based on the ability of folate to mask

the neurological manifestations of vitamin B-12 deficiency " , which MIGHT

explain why my pills have the warning. But I suppose that anyone that's

tested for B-12 levels can safely ignore that point.

B-12 deficiency is sometimes linked to peripheral neuropathy, which is why

my doc tested my B-12 level (it was normal) when I reported foot pains. My

textbook has a lot to say, about absorption of folate and B-12, relating to

methionine absorption and production, and various linkages to certain kinds

of PN, and exactly WHY the above masking occurs, but it's REALLY

complicated.

Anyway, never mind about my toxicity warning for folate, I was wrong. My

textbook has an overwhelming array of subtle statements about interactions,

and I shouldn't dare to summarize. :-) Let your doctor figure this out, if

at all possible.

Steve D.

Date: Tue, 18 Jan 2005 00:29:23 -0000

Subject: Re: dosage for folic acid

That's weird, my prescription prenatal vitamins have 2 mg of folic

acid, and my doc recommends at least 800 mcg for pregnant women or

women planning to become pregnant. I've never heard of such

limitations on folic acid, or that folic acid toxicity is of

concern...

Here's some info on folic acid:

http://www.cdc.gov/doc.do/id/0900f3ec8000d558#previous

Take care,

RH

> >

> >

> > Thanks for the quick reply! I am taking 800 mcg but it obviously

> > doesn't seem to be helping at all.

> >

> >