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Too Much Folic Acid May Help Cause Cancer

Wonder vitamin added to many foods could be giving us an overdose

By Katherine Thompson,  Newser Staff

Posted May 11, 2009 10:49 AM CDT
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(Newser) – Folic acid: You’ve probably heard that pregnant women are urged to take it, and you might know that lots of common staples—from flour to cereals—are fortified with it. But new research indicates that folic acid may have a complicated relationship to cancer—even perhaps accelerating it. Studies show some protective effects, but dangers as well, the Los Angeles Times reports.

“Too little folic acid we know is not good, and too much folic acid is probably not good,” says a genetics counselor. Although the vitamin can help reduce the risk of colorectal cancer by up to 60%, once cancer cells exist, it might actually help them grow. And newer research indicates that folic acid might help cause cancer after all.

Orange juice is one of the sources of naturally occurring folate, or vitamin B9.
Orange juice is one of the sources of naturally occurring folate, or vitamin B9.   (©Paul.Carroll)
There's little dispute that folate is necessary for pregnant women: It can help prevent serious birth defects like spina bifida.
There's little dispute that folate is necessary for pregnant women: It can help prevent serious birth defects like spina bifida.   (©Iuri Fernandes)
There's natural folate in leafy greens, but just in case you don't eat quite enough spinach, folate is also added to flour and some cereals.
There's natural folate in leafy greens, but just in case you don't eat quite enough spinach, folate is also added to flour and some cereals.   (©g_kat26)
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COMMENTS
Showing 1 of 1 comment
riffran
May 12, 2009 12:33 PM CDT
"warning...living on the planet earth has been shown to cause cancer in some labratory rats".......Damned if you do....damned if ya don't

Folic acid could also help allergies
HealthNews

Studies still show pregnant women should take B9
HemOncToday

 
cancer • pregnancy • folic acid • dietary supplement • fortified • folate

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