Folic Acid Side Effects
Folic acid side effects are not common if folic acid is from a balanced or healthy diet or if supplements are taken in appropriate amounts.
Usually, the excess folic acid ingested is excreted in the urine, and it doesn’t tend to cause any health problems, but an overdose of folic acidcan do.
Folic acid, also known as folate in its natural form or vitamin B9, is not readily available in your body as it is a water-soluble vitamin and it needs to be taken from foods or supplements.
It is useful in creating and breaking down new proteins, forming red and white blood cells and DNA replication. It works with vitamin C and vitamin B12 in carrying out various tasks. It is also important in DNA synthesis, which makes up the genetic material in our cells.
Folic Acid Sources:
• Legumes- beans, chickpeas, lentils
• Citrus fruits- oranges, mandarines
• Fruit juices
• Broccoli, asparagus, brussels sprouts and other green leafy vegetables
• Whole grains
• Chicken, turkey, pork and liver
Folic Acid Side Effects:
Even though folic acid is available in a variety of healthy foods like the above, an unbalanced and unhealthy diet can cause folic acid deficiency.American eating habits unfortunately do not include many folic acid rich foods such as vegetables and fruits.
Those with digestive tract issues, liver diseases and chronic alcoholics are more prone to developing the folic acid deficiency. When encountered with the deficiency, folic acid supplements are used and these are generally tolerated well.
Recommended dose for a healthy adult is 400mcg per day and 600 mcg for a pregnant or a breast feeding woman, for children between 1-13 years of age the dose will range between 150 mcg per day to 300 mcg per day.
Folic acid deficiency is not very common and it can be treated by taking folic acid supplements, up to 900-1000mcg per day, depending on the seriousness of the deficiency.
Supplements should be taken under the care of a health care professional in case of anemia, liver diseases or pregnancy. Taking folic acid in the first couple of months of pregnancy is particularly important since folic acid is identified as being significant in preventing neural tube defects in babies.
Although toxic effects of folic acid are not common, high doses of the supplement- more than 1000 mcg per day may cause side effects such as:
• Decreased appetite
• Excessive flatulence
• Abdominal swelling and abdominal cramps
• Swelling of the face, lips or tongue
• Hives
• Gas and bloating
• Nausea and vomiting
• Hyperactivity
• Insomnia
• Concentration problems
• Skin rashes
• Itching
• Seizures
• Difficulty breathing
• Bad or bitter taste in mouth
• Zinc deficiency
• Hyperactivity, irritability and even psychotic behavior in some cases
High doses can also increase the risk of cancer, cause heart complications and nerve damage due to vitamin B12 deficiency (excess folic acid is observed to mask the symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency) and age-related cognitive problems.
If you think you are suffering from any of the folic acid side effects, pleaseconsult a health care professional immediately.
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