Circulating Unmetabolized Folic Acid: Relationship to Folate Status and Effect of Supplementation

There are increasing concerns that exposure to unmetabolized folic acid, which results from folic acid intakes that overwhelm the liver's metabolic capacity, may be associated with adverse effects. In this paper, we examined the folic acid status of women of reproductive age in relation to diet...

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Main Authors: Carolyn Tam, Deborah O'Connor, Gideon Koren
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2012-01-01
Series:Obstetrics and Gynecology International
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2012/485179
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author Carolyn Tam
Deborah O'Connor
Gideon Koren
author_facet Carolyn Tam
Deborah O'Connor
Gideon Koren
author_sort Carolyn Tam
collection DOAJ
description There are increasing concerns that exposure to unmetabolized folic acid, which results from folic acid intakes that overwhelm the liver's metabolic capacity, may be associated with adverse effects. In this paper, we examined the folic acid status of women of reproductive age in relation to dietary intake and the effect of folic acid supplementation (1.1 mg or 5 mg). Plasma unmetabolized folic acid was not significantly correlated with folate intake estimated by food frequency questionnaire or biomarkers. The proportion of women with detectable levels of unmetabolized folic acid increased from 65% to 100% after twelve weeks of supplementation (P<0.05); however, the increase in concentrations did not reach statistical significance and the effect was not sustained. Moreover, there were no significant differences between the two doses. This suggests that there are mechanisms by which the body adapts to high folic acid intakes to limit exposure to unmetabolized folic acid.
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spelling doaj-art-6deffc1bb3dd4045b2d7c48633832c2b2025-08-20T03:33:50ZengWileyObstetrics and Gynecology International1687-95891687-95972012-01-01201210.1155/2012/485179485179Circulating Unmetabolized Folic Acid: Relationship to Folate Status and Effect of SupplementationCarolyn Tam0Deborah O'Connor1Gideon Koren2The Motherisk Program, Division of Clinical Pharmacology/Toxicology and Nutrition Sciences, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, M5G 1X8, CanadaThe Motherisk Program, Division of Clinical Pharmacology/Toxicology and Nutrition Sciences, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, M5G 1X8, CanadaThe Motherisk Program, Division of Clinical Pharmacology/Toxicology and Nutrition Sciences, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, M5G 1X8, CanadaThere are increasing concerns that exposure to unmetabolized folic acid, which results from folic acid intakes that overwhelm the liver's metabolic capacity, may be associated with adverse effects. In this paper, we examined the folic acid status of women of reproductive age in relation to dietary intake and the effect of folic acid supplementation (1.1 mg or 5 mg). Plasma unmetabolized folic acid was not significantly correlated with folate intake estimated by food frequency questionnaire or biomarkers. The proportion of women with detectable levels of unmetabolized folic acid increased from 65% to 100% after twelve weeks of supplementation (P<0.05); however, the increase in concentrations did not reach statistical significance and the effect was not sustained. Moreover, there were no significant differences between the two doses. This suggests that there are mechanisms by which the body adapts to high folic acid intakes to limit exposure to unmetabolized folic acid.http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2012/485179
spellingShingle Carolyn Tam
Deborah O'Connor
Gideon Koren
Circulating Unmetabolized Folic Acid: Relationship to Folate Status and Effect of Supplementation
Obstetrics and Gynecology International
title Circulating Unmetabolized Folic Acid: Relationship to Folate Status and Effect of Supplementation
title_full Circulating Unmetabolized Folic Acid: Relationship to Folate Status and Effect of Supplementation
title_fullStr Circulating Unmetabolized Folic Acid: Relationship to Folate Status and Effect of Supplementation
title_full_unstemmed Circulating Unmetabolized Folic Acid: Relationship to Folate Status and Effect of Supplementation
title_short Circulating Unmetabolized Folic Acid: Relationship to Folate Status and Effect of Supplementation
title_sort circulating unmetabolized folic acid relationship to folate status and effect of supplementation
url http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2012/485179
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