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Folate is undeniably a vital component of the human diet, its deficiency causing impairment of many metabolic processes. In modern society with increased availability and access to folic acid, hypertoxicity rather than deficiency may become a problem with voluntary food fortification, high availability of low-cost folic acid supplements.

Adding folic acid to cereals may be adding excessive amounts. to a person's diet, which in turn can cause many undesirable effects. Adverse effects. These adverse effects can affect multiple areas of public health, with studies suggesting that high folic acid intake may, under certain conditions, promote cancer, interact with medications, and impair fetal development. Studies in mice have shown more sinister impacts, suggesting that high levels of folic acid have serious detrimental consequences by causing epilepsy and liver damage.

Folic acid administered in the presence of preneoplastic cells increases their proliferation and cell growth. High serum folic acid levels caused tumor cells to divide at a higher rate, allowing for higher rates of nucleotide synthesis. Observational research carried out in Chile showed that after folic acid fortification was implemented in this country, there was a 162% increase in colorectal cancer in the 45 to 64 year old group and a 192% increase in the 65 to 79 year old group. compared to the pre-fortification period.

Examination Survey Study (NHANES) showing that between 1% and 4% of the US population is exceeding the tolerable upper limit of folic. 1 mg per day, after flour fortification, there is an area of concern that folic acid fortification has contributed to increased cancer risk in the US population.

The increased risk of prostate cancer in older men may be due to too much folic acid. Since the adverse effects of excessive folic acid intake on cancer are still being investigated. In another study, intake of vitamin B-6 and riboflavin through diet and supplements was associated with a lower risk of colorectal cancer (CRC) in postmenopausal women, but increased folic acid intake during the post-fortification period. may have been associated with a transient increase in CRC risk.

The literature highlights possible harmful effects, such as an increased risk of carcinogenesis; alteration in DNA methylation; and impacts on embryogenesis, pregnancy outcomes, neurodevelopment, and disease risk. Notably, these consequences go beyond immediate effects and can influence future generations through epigenetic reprogramming.

A key message: If excess folate has tumor-promoting effects, those effects are likely to outweigh any beneficial effects of folic acid supplementation on mutation rates, and cancer rates are predicted to increase.

https://aacrjournals.org/cebp/article/17/6/1360/177611/Does-Folic-Acid-Supplementation-Prevent-or-Promote (2008).-----

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3545682/ (2012).---

https://www.researchgate.net/profile/agata-sobczynska-malefora/publication/309094018_the_adverse_effects_of_an_excessive_folic_acid_intake/links/5fac3a4c299bf18c5b69c978/the-adverse-effects -OF-AN-Excessive-folic-acid-intake.pdf (2016) .- --

https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/15/21/4699 (2023).----

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