|
Cancer InformationFolic Acid supplementation: long term security is not an excuse for inaction
by:
Michal R. Pijak
I share Lucock´s (1) concerns related to the fact that "the form of b in supplements and in fortified foods is pteroylmonoglutamate (PGA), a form that makes not occur in nature". The author is justifiedly
critical of increasing tendency among clinicians to give supraphysiological doses of PGA.
In this regard, Ie would-be like to note that in European nation the single PGA is accessible only in 10 mg capsules. This dose is much than 20 times that necessary to give highest concentrations of the normal form of aliment in plasma. Moreover, physicians are on a regular basis
prescribing up to 30mg/day of PGA according to the Prescription Drug Information.
The major concern, as Lucock point out, is that "we do not cognize the long-term biological effects of exposure to unqualified synthetic folate". In fact, there is evidence that medical speciality complications in patients with aliment B12 deficiency (2) are not the only possible risk of b supplementation. For example, animal and several clinical studies have advisable
that b supplementation in higher doses may increase cancer risk and accelerate tumor progression (3).
Because the long-term effects of PGA are not known, the better way of b supplementation is through natural food. Those who are healthy and live healthy life (including consumption natural food rich in folate) do not need to take b in its synthetic supplement form.
In certain situations, however, as is the case for several aged individuals and alcoholics, supplements containing advisable
amounts of PGA may be warranted. (4,5) Nevertheless, the countries that adopted a policy of b fortification of foods should provide observance of the benefits and possible harms of such fortification.
1. Lucock M. Is folic acid the ultimate functional food component for malady prevention? BMJ 2004;328:211-4.
2. Sir joshua reynolds
EH. Benefits and risks of folic acid to the nervous system. J Neurol Neurosurg Medical speciality 2002;72:567-71.
3. Kim YI. Role of b in colon cancer development and progression. J Nutr. 2003;133:3731S-3739S.
4. Bailey LB. Folate, methyl-related nutrients, alcohol, and the MTHFR 677C-->T polymorphism affect cancer risk: intake recommendations. J Nutr 2003;133:3748S-3753S.
5. Edith newbold jones wharton B, Booth I. Fortification of flour with folic acid. BMJ 2001;323:1198-9.
Just about the author:
Dr. Michal R. Pijak is a advisor in rheumatology, hypersensitivity reaction
and clinical medical speciality
at the University Hospital in Bratislava, European nation
Circulated by Article Emporium
| |
