Folic acid supplementation is dangerous – especially for pregnant women
In a 10-year study, 1,2 scientists found that women who take multivitamins containing folic acid increase their breast cancer risk by 20-30%.
Even more alarming are the associations between supplemental folic acid during pregnancy and death from breast cancer,17 and asthma and respiratory tract infections in children. 5-6
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Folic acid is the synthetic form of folate, a B vitamin, which is abundant in green vegetables. Folate protects against birth defects known as neural tube defects (NTDs). Pregnant women could safely increase their folate status and prevent NTDs by eating green vegetables, but instead they are instructed to take folic acid supplements, putting them and their children at risk. Folic acid supplements are not a substitute for folate-containing green vegetables – there are inverse associations between maternal vegetable intake and childhood cancers. 12-13
Unlike synthetic folic acid, folate obtained from food sources – especially green vegetables – protects against breast and prostate cancer.
There is inverse relationship between dietary folate intake and breast and prostate cancer. 4,3 Chemical differences between folate and folic acid translate into differences in uptake and processing of these two substances by the cells in the intestinal wall – excess folic acid in the circulation can occur. Luckily, folate from food comes naturally packaged in balance with other micronutrients and the body regulates its absorption. 9
Rich sources of food folate
As a reference point, the U.S. RDA for folate is 400μg. Below is the approximate folate content for a 100-calorie serving. 8
Spinach, raw | 843 μg |
Romaine lettuce | 800 μg |
Asparagus, cooked | 750 μg |
Mustard greens, raw | 700 μg |
Collards, raw | 550 μg |
Broccoli, cooked | 300 μg |
Edamame | 225 μg |
Chickpeas | 150 μg |
Papaya | 90 μg |
Orange | 70 μg |
Blackberries | 55 μg |
Avocado | 50 μg |
Sunflower seeds | 40 μg |
Quinoa, cooked | 35 μg |
Additional foods listed in full article
Clearly, we do not need synthetic folic acid supplements to meet our daily folate requirements.
Dr. Fuhrman’s Gentle Care FormulaMultivitamin does not contain folic acid
Supplemental folic acid has also been linked to prostate cancer3, colorectal cancer4, and overall cancer mortality.7 Because folate is abundant in the nutritarian diet, and synthetic folic acid is so potentially dangerous, folic acid is not included in Dr. Fuhrman’s Gentle Caremultivitamin.
Dr. Fuhrman does not recommend prenatal vitamins because of the potentially harmful ingredients, such as folic acid.
Dr. Fuhrman’s special recommendations for pregnant women:
(See full article for references)
Folic acid supplementation is dangerous – especially for pregnant women
In a 10-year study, 1,2 scientists found that women who take multivitamins containing folic acid increase their breast cancer risk by 20-30%.
Even more alarming are the associations between supplemental folic acid during pregnancy and death from breast cancer,17 and asthma and respiratory tract infections in children. 5-6
Read full article
Folic acid is the synthetic form of folate, a B vitamin, which is abundant in green vegetables. Folate protects against birth defects known as neural tube defects (NTDs). Pregnant women could safely increase their folate status and prevent NTDs by eating green vegetables, but instead they are instructed to take folic acid supplements, putting them and their children at risk. Folic acid supplements are not a substitute for folate-containing green vegetables – there are inverse associations between maternal vegetable intake and childhood cancers. 12-13
Unlike synthetic folic acid, folate obtained from food sources – especially green vegetables – protects against breast and prostate cancer.
There is inverse relationship between dietary folate intake and breast and prostate cancer. 4,3 Chemical differences between folate and folic acid translate into differences in uptake and processing of these two substances by the cells in the intestinal wall – excess folic acid in the circulation can occur. Luckily, folate from food comes naturally packaged in balance with other micronutrients and the body regulates its absorption. 9
Rich sources of food folate
As a reference point, the U.S. RDA for folate is 400μg. Below is the approximate folate content for a 100-calorie serving. 8
Spinach, raw
843 μg
Romaine lettuce
800 μg
Asparagus, cooked
750 μg
Mustard greens, raw
700 μg
Collards, raw
550 μg
Broccoli, cooked
300 μg
Edamame
225 μg
Chickpeas
150 μg
Papaya
90 μg
Orange
70 μg
Blackberries
55 μg
Avocado
50 μg
Sunflower seeds
40 μg
Quinoa, cooked
35 μg
Additional foods listed in full article
Clearly, we do not need synthetic folic acid supplements to meet our daily folate requirements.
Dr. Fuhrman’s Gentle Care FormulaMultivitamin does not contain folic acid
Supplemental folic acid has also been linked to prostate cancer3, colorectal cancer4, and overall cancer mortality.7 Because folate is abundant in the nutritarian diet, and synthetic folic acid is so potentially dangerous, folic acid is not included in Dr. Fuhrman’s Gentle Caremultivitamin.
Dr. Fuhrman does not recommend prenatal vitamins because of the potentially harmful ingredients, such as folic acid.
Dr. Fuhrman’s special recommendations for pregnant women:
(See full article for references)