DON’T TAKE FOLIC ACID
You may be thinking, wait, what? Don’t we need folic acid? Truth is that some forms might not be ideal for everyone.
Folate is a naturally occurring B vitamin, necessary for function on a cellular level and important for daily detoxification. While there are many problems that can occur in our bodies without enough folate, it is especially important for women who are pregnant or may become pregnant. Folate plays a key role in preventing a specific category of birth defects, called neural tube defects, such as spina bifida.
Folic Acid is the synthetic (manmade) form of folate. Interestingly, not everyone can use folic acid in its synthetic form. There is a form of genetic mutation, on the MTHFR gene, that determines our ability to change folic acid into the form of folate that our body needs. It is estimated that for about 30-40% of us, too much of this type of folic acid can actually harm our cells and prevent our natural detoxification system from working.
I generally don’t make recommendations based on genetics. This is one of those subjects where we “don’t know what we don’t know”. The genetic code is so complex and scientists are continuing to make new discoveries. But here’s the scoop on avoiding folic acid and consuming folate – it’s easy to do and there is no harm to it. You don’t need to know if you have the MTHFR genetic mutation. In my opinion, better safe than sorry. It’s the advice I give my own patients, whether or not we’ve tested for the gene.
How to get folate:
Eat lots of whole foods. Veggies such as leafy green vegetables, asparagus, beets, brussel sprouts, and broccoli are high in folate and other vitamins and so are beans, peas, lentils, nuts and seeds. Citrus fruits, avocados, bananas, and melons are also good sources, and, if you consume animal products, liver.
How to avoid folic acid:
Try not to eat processed foods with added folic acid. Avoiding store bought wheat products could be the most important piece of this puzzle. Since a law was passed in 1998, all grain product have been fortified with folic acid. It is difficult to find a cake, cookie, loaf of bread or bagel that is doesn’t have added artificial folic acid. Keep this in perspective. Some exposure to folic acid will do not harm. But if you have the MTHFR mutation, aren’t feeling well, or you eat lots of processed and store bought foods, try eliminating them and see if symptoms improve.
Check your vitamins too.
Many multivitamins have folic acid added, but there are great brands that add either food-based folate, or a “methylated” form that is easy for your body to uptake and use for detoxification. Either is a better choice than folic acid. If you are looking for a food source of vitamins that fit the bill, you don’t have to be my patient to take advantage of great prices on the vitamins I chose for myself, my family and my patients through Fullscript.
