Recent posts circulating on Facebook and TikTok claim that folic acid can be toxic or carcinogenic, especially for people with the MTHFR gene variant.
One Facebook post states, "Fortified cereals are not more nutritious. They are sprayed with synthetic folic acid, an artificial chemical version of vitamin B9".
Meanwhile, on TikTok, many users claim that unmetabolized folic acid can weaken the immune system and is linked to cancer.
AFP quotes experts refuting these claims, asserting that folic acid is a synthetic form of vitamin B, easily absorbed and essential for the body. The body needs folate to create DNA and metabolize proteins. Especially during pregnancy, folic acid helps prevent neural tube defects like spina bifida.
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that folic acid fortification in food can prevent about 1,300 cases of neural tube defects each year. In the US and Canada, after implementing policies to add folic acid to products like bread and pasta in 1998, the rate of these birth defects has dropped significantly.
"Today, we have a lot to worry about, but folic acid in fortified foods is not one of them," said Walter Willett, professor of epidemiology and nutrition at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. He added that excessive folic acid intake can cause some side effects, but the safe level is determined to be 400 micrograms per day, up to a maximum of 1,000 micrograms for those without specific medical conditions.
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People buy bread at a supermarket in Monterey Park, California. Photo: AFP |
People buy bread at a supermarket in Monterey Park, California. Photo: AFP
Regarding the MTHFR gene, AFP cites information from the CDC stating that people with this gene variant can still process all types of folate, including folic acid.
Carrying the MTHFR gene variant means having a small change in the MTHFR gene, making it harder for the body to process vitamin B9 (folate) as effectively as others. This may make them more prone to health issues like cardiovascular problems, miscarriages, or other conditions, but not everyone experiences these issues. Medical organizations such as the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics and the University of North Carolina Children’s Hospital do not recommend testing for this gene due to its low clinical value.
Regarding cancer concerns, professor of medicine Raphael Cuomo from the University of California, San Diego, said the risk of cancer actually increases with folate deficiency, i.e., below 200 micrograms per day. Research in the US shows that adequate folate intake helps reduce the risk of some cancers, including breast cancer in women who consume alcohol and colorectal cancer.
According to Professor Cuomo, there is no evidence that any specific form of folate, including folic acid, causes cancer. He noted that risks can only occur with very high doses over a long period, mainly in people with a history of cancer or precancerous lesions, and this is related to the use of high-dose supplements.
AFP emphasizes that the rumors about folic acid causing cancer are misleading, and the public health benefits of fortifying food with this nutrient far outweigh the theoretical risks.
Thuc Linh (AFP)
