Both my husband and I were diagnosed with low folate this month. Our Lab reference is 3-5 and our results werre 2.8 and 2.7 respectively- this set me on my research path. There appears to be no consistent reference range in the UK even when using the same measure. Our lab and Teeside uses ug/L and yet Teeside Lab ref is 1-20. This cannot be right and that is just for starters in terms of my research. Folic acid is a synthetic formulation of the form the body uses from food and the synthetic form has some quite serious potential to cause harm. The most worrying thing I came across with regards to folic acid was the fact that not enough is known about the long term effects especially with people who may have colon issues or other un-diagnosed conditions - GPs themselves are concerned that folic acid is being over prescribed because the low end of the reference levels are too high:
Given that not enough studies (or enough detail) has gone into folic acid on sufficient ranges of people I am very wary of this supplement. The only area of research that I feel is comprehensive for folic acid is for pregnant women - even then I see that many pregnant women opt for a supplement that does not have the issues that folic acid does. While I see that there are papers stating that folic acid is better absorbed than purer folate supplements, I also see papers stating the opposite! What is more most people appear to be prescribed folate (5mg which is very high) based on blood test using serum folate which does not give an accurate reading of the body stores. "Since both Folate and vitamin B12 deficiency can cause macrocytic anemia, appropriate treatment depends on the differential diagnosis of the deficiency. Serum Folate measurement provides an early index of Folate status. However, Folate is much more concentrated in red blood cells than in serum so the red blood cell Folate measurement more closely reflects tissue stores. Red blood cell Folate concentration is considered the most reliable indicator of Folate Status." I will end with this - I believe that neural tube defects in babies have reduced considerably since the use of folic acid. However more natural folate may have the same effect and be overall safer given tha mothers are supposed to supplement while breast feeding also, so a fair length of time. I am of an age that when I had my children no supplements were given and no dietary advice either (I ate well but just ate what I wanted - some healthy and some not, by today's standards). Both my children grew up fit and healthy. I had included some useful links but could not post them - error 'spam' came up. So sorry but you should easily find this info online.
Given that not enough studies (or enough detail) has gone into folic acid on sufficient ranges of people I am very wary of this supplement. The only area of research that I feel is comprehensive for folic acid is for pregnant women - even then I see that many pregnant women opt for a supplement that does not have the issues that folic acid does. While I see that there are papers stating that folic acid is better absorbed than purer folate supplements, I also see papers stating the opposite! What is more most people appear to be prescribed folate (5mg which is very high) based on blood test using serum folate which does not give an accurate reading of the body stores. "Since both Folate and vitamin B12 deficiency can cause macrocytic anemia, appropriate treatment depends on the differential diagnosis of the deficiency. Serum Folate measurement provides an early index of Folate status. However, Folate is much more concentrated in red blood cells than in serum so the red blood cell Folate measurement more closely reflects tissue stores. Red blood cell Folate concentration is considered the most reliable indicator of Folate Status." I will end with this - I believe that neural tube defects in babies have reduced considerably since the use of folic acid. However more natural folate may have the same effect and be overall safer given tha mothers are supposed to supplement while breast feeding also, so a fair length of time. I am of an age that when I had my children no supplements were given and no dietary advice either (I ate well but just ate what I wanted - some healthy and some not, by today's standards). Both my children grew up fit and healthy. I had included some useful links but could not post them - error 'spam' came up. So sorry but you should easily find this info online.
