Presentation
They may have consumed too much folic acid-fortified food or too many supplements, or could have a genetic make-up that increased folate absorption in their bodies, said the scientists who presented their findings at the 2016 International Meeting for [telegraph.co.uk]
The findings were presented on Wednesday at the International Meeting for Autism Research. advertisement But keep in mind: This research is being presented at a conference, so it hasn’t gone through peer review. [statnews.com]
A summary of the research was presented this week at the International Meeting for Autism Research in Baltimore. [latimes.com]
Treatment of megaloblastic anemia when folic acid deficiency is present. Note: If a drug has been approved for one use, physicians sometimes elect to use this same drug for other problems if they believe it might be helpful. [chemocare.com]
Folate is present in green, leafy vegetables like spinach, chard, and kale. This essential nutrient is also present in citrus fruits and grain products, such as bread, cereal, and pasta, that have been fortified with folic acid and other B vitamins. [wearefeel.com]
Entire Body System
-
Epilepsy
A supplement of 5 mg daily in pregnancy is also recommended with some medical conditions such as coeliac disease, diabetes, and sickle cell anaemia, and if you are taking medicines to treat epilepsy. [patient.info]
Epilepsy. Taking folic acid does not reduce seizures in people with epilepsy. However some early research suggests that folic acid might reduce seizures in children that are deficient in folic acid. Cancer of the esophagus. [webmd.com]
These include: medicines used to treat epilepsy, such as anti convulsant drugs. multivitamin preparations large amounts of alcohol medicines used to treat cancer, such as methotrexate medicines used to treat infections, such as trimethoprim medicines [nps.org.au]
Take medicines to treat epilepsy, type 2 diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, or lupus Talk to your doctor or nurse. Folic acid supplements can interact with these medicines. Are on dialysis for kidney disease Talk to your doctor or nurse. [womenshealth.gov]
Intervention trials using either vitamin B12 or folic acid have not been done. 1 Star Epilepsy Refer to label instructions Folic acid may help reduce epileptic seizure frequency, people taking anticonvulsant medications should talk to their doctor before [peacehealth.org]
-
Disability
Women are currently advised to take supplements of folic acid, the synthetic version of the B vitamin folate, during early pregnancy to reduce the risk of disabling or fatal birth defects such as spina bifida. [telegraph.co.uk]
A folate deficiency in mothers is linked to developmental disabilities in the babies. Folate and congenital malformations Over 50 years ago, scientists found a relationship between folate and neural tube defects. [medicalnewsbulletin.com]
Children with spina bifida often have lifelong disabilities. They may also need many surgeries. Anencephaly (an-en-SEF-uh-lee). 7 This means that most or all of the brain and skull does not develop in the womb. [womenshealth.gov]
An inherited condition marked by learning disabilities (fragile-X syndrome).Taking folic acid by mouth does not improve symptoms of fragile-X-syndrome. Preterm birth. [webmd.com]
-
Developmental Disabilities
Senior study author Dr Daniele Fallin, director of the Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School's Wendy Klag Center for Autism and Developmental Disabilities, said: "Adequate supplementation is protective: that's still the story with folic acid. [telegraph.co.uk]
A folate deficiency in mothers is linked to developmental disabilities in the babies. Folate and congenital malformations Over 50 years ago, scientists found a relationship between folate and neural tube defects. [medicalnewsbulletin.com]
For more information about folic acid, call the OWH Helpline at 1-800-994-9662 or contact the following organizations: National Center for Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities, CDC, HHS Phone Number: 800-232-4636 National Institute of Neurological [womenshealth.gov]
-
Malnutrition
In fact, according to Oregon State University, it has only been found in those with severe malnutrition. The most common side effect of pantothenic acid deficiency is generalized malaise. [livescience.com]
Taking a specific nutritional supplement with added folic acid and possibly vitamin B12 does not seem to prevent infections in the lungs in children at risk of malnutrition. [webmd.com]
-
Intravenous Administration
Adverse effects Rare allergic reactions have been reported after intravenous administration. Use in pregnancy. FDA Category A (See Introduction in Section III). Folic acid is a recommended supplement. Drug or laboratory interactions. [accessmedicine.mhmedical.com]
Gastrointestinal
-
Nausea
However, high doses of folic acid (especially if taken long-term) have been reported to cause some problems, such as: Digestive problems (such as nausea or gas) Rash Problems sleeping (including unusual dreams) Irritability, excitability, or hyperactivity [pregnancy.emedtv.com]
In rare cases, patients have shown overdose symptoms that include: Bitter or metallic taste in the mouth Changes in mood (excitability, irritability, or hyperactivity) Changes in behavior (psychotic symptoms) Gastrointestinal side effects (such as nausea [drugsdb.com]
Common signs of folic acid overdose include gastric problems like bloating, diarrhoea, abdominal cramps, nausea and gas. In extreme cases, you could also suffer from behavioural changes like depression and irritability. [thehealthsite.com]
[…] as nausea when they took folic acid or folinic acid with their MTX. [cochrane.org]
Less serious side effects may include: diarrhea; constipation; nausea, vomiting, heartburn; leg pain; or darkened skin or urine color. This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. [mottchildren.org]
-
Diarrhea
[…] shown overdose symptoms that include: Bitter or metallic taste in the mouth Changes in mood (excitability, irritability, or hyperactivity) Changes in behavior (psychotic symptoms) Gastrointestinal side effects (such as nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, diarrhea [drugsdb.com]
Less serious side effects may include: diarrhea; constipation; nausea, vomiting, heartburn; leg pain; or darkened skin or urine color. This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. [mottchildren.org]
Common side effects may include: heartburn, stomach pain, loss of appetite; nausea, vomiting; diarrhea, constipation; or a change in the color of your stools. This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. [uwhealth.org]
Symptoms of overdose may include: stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea. Notes If your doctor has prescribed this medication, do not share it with others. Keep all regular medical and laboratory appointments. [m.kp.org]
Diarrhea. Taking a specific nutritional supplement with added folic acid and possibly vitamin B12 does not seem to prevent diarrhea in children at risk of malnutrition. [webmd.com]
-
Abdominal Cramps
Common signs of folic acid overdose include gastric problems like bloating, diarrhoea, abdominal cramps, nausea and gas. In extreme cases, you could also suffer from behavioural changes like depression and irritability. [thehealthsite.com]
Although doses up to 5 mg daily have been safely used in some research, doses of folic acid greater than 1 mg daily might cause abdominal cramps, diarrhea, rash, sleep disorders, irritability, confusion, nausea, stomach upset, behavior changes, skin reactions [webmd.com]
-
Steatorrhea
Disorder in absorption of folic acid occurs in idiopathic steatorrhea (disorder in the absorption of dietary fat) and tropical sprue (a disease with weak absorption in the intestine, occurs in the tropics), as well as various other disorders of the small [mineravita.com]
Cardiovascular
-
Heart Disease
Animal experiments and theoretical considerations had suggested protection from heart disease and cancer. [mcgill.ca]
There is also some concern that high-dose folic acid supplementation may also increase the risk of heart attacks in people with heart disease. [pregnancy.emedtv.com]
Taking too much folic acid supplement may also increase the risk of coronary event or heart attacks, especially in people with underlying or history of heart disease. [drugsdb.com]
Antioxidants and exercise also play a key role in heart attack and heart disease prevention. Lower your risk factors for heart disease and heart attack by: lowering cholesterol, lowering blood pressure, diabetes prevention, and smoking cesssation. [medicinenet.com]
Heart disease. Most research shows that taking folic acid alone or with other B vitamins does not reduce the risk of death or heart disease-related events in people with heart disease. Cataracts. [webmd.com]
Jaw & Teeth
-
Metallic Taste
In rare cases, patients have shown overdose symptoms that include: Bitter or metallic taste in the mouth Changes in mood (excitability, irritability, or hyperactivity) Changes in behavior (psychotic symptoms) Gastrointestinal side effects (such as nausea [drugsdb.com]
Skin
-
Formication
In addition, the administration of folate to patients with methanol poisoning may enhance the conversion of the toxic metabolite formic acid to carbon dioxide and water, based on studies in folate-deficient primates. [accessmedicine.mhmedical.com]
Neurologic
-
Irritability
Other symptoms that may occur in the absence of folic acid are general body weakness, fatigue, irritability and stomach aches. [mineravita.com]
However, high doses of folic acid (especially if taken long-term) have been reported to cause some problems, such as: Digestive problems (such as nausea or gas) Rash Problems sleeping (including unusual dreams) Irritability, excitability, or hyperactivity [pregnancy.emedtv.com]
In rare cases, patients have shown overdose symptoms that include: Bitter or metallic taste in the mouth Changes in mood (excitability, irritability, or hyperactivity) Changes in behavior (psychotic symptoms) Gastrointestinal side effects (such as nausea [drugsdb.com]
In extreme cases, you could also suffer from behavioural changes like depression and irritability. If you happen to live abroad, some of your food items like flour and mineral water may already be fortified with folic acid. [thehealthsite.com]
[…] overdose affects different parts of the body is displayed here 3 : Body Part Effects Bladder and kidneys Cloudy urine, frequent urination, or increased urine amount Eyes, ears, nose, mouth, and throat Dry, cracking lips (from long-term overdose), eye irritation [pharmacytimes.com]
-
Excitement
However, high doses of folic acid (especially if taken long-term) have been reported to cause some problems, such as: Digestive problems (such as nausea or gas) Rash Problems sleeping (including unusual dreams) Irritability, excitability, or hyperactivity [pregnancy.emedtv.com]
In rare cases, patients have shown overdose symptoms that include: Bitter or metallic taste in the mouth Changes in mood (excitability, irritability, or hyperactivity) Changes in behavior (psychotic symptoms) Gastrointestinal side effects (such as nausea [drugsdb.com]
Common side effects of folic acid include an allergic reaction, a change in sleep pattern, difficulty in concentrating, irritability, excitement, mental depression, and confusion. [rxwiki.com]
Other side effects reported in patients receiving 15 mg daily include altered sleep patterns, difficulty in concentrating, irritability, overactivity, excitement, mental depression, confusion, and impaired judgment. [rxlist.com]
Less serious side effects are more likely, but may include: nausea, loss of appetite; bloating, gas; bitter or unpleasant taste in your mouth; sleep problems; depression; or feeling excited or irritable. [uofmhealth.org]
-
Tingling
Damage to the nerves throughout your body can lead to numbness and tingling, as well as the destruction of myelin -- a substance required for nerve function -- in your spinal cord and brain, according to the Linus Pauling Institute at Oregon State University [livestrong.com]
Serious (report these to your healthcare provider right away): Fever, rash, itching, trouble breathing, depression, personality changes, confusion, tingling and numbness of hands and feet, unsteady walk, loss of sense of smell. [summitmedicalgroup.com]
Overdose symptoms may include numbness or tingling, mouth or tongue pain, weakness, tired feeling confusion, or trouble concentrating. What should I avoid? Follow your doctor's instructions about any restrictions on food, beverages, or activity. [drugs.com]
Long-term B12 deficiency can cause a range of symptoms, including anemia and peripheral neuropathy—damage to the peripheral nervous system marked by lack of coordination, weakness, or pain, tingling, and numbness in the hands and feet. [now.tufts.edu]
-
Hyperactivity
However, high doses of folic acid (especially if taken long-term) have been reported to cause some problems, such as: Digestive problems (such as nausea or gas) Rash Problems sleeping (including unusual dreams) Irritability, excitability, or hyperactivity [pregnancy.emedtv.com]
In rare cases, patients have shown overdose symptoms that include: Bitter or metallic taste in the mouth Changes in mood (excitability, irritability, or hyperactivity) Changes in behavior (psychotic symptoms) Gastrointestinal side effects (such as nausea [drugsdb.com]
This role is strongly suggested by studies that link low folate status during pregnancy to hyperactivity and other behavior problems in children, and higher folate intake with greater academic achievement in teens. 2, 3 Consuming folate-rich foods before [drfuhrman.com]
[…] skin problems, alcoholism, allergies, hair loss, asthma, heart problems, carpal tunnel syndrome, lung disorders, nerve damage, colitis, eye infections, convulsions, kidney disorders, dandruff, depression, diabetic problems, immune function, headaches, hyperactivity [livescience.com]
Workup
Colonoscopy
-
Polyps
But this study involved people who already had polyps and therefore says nothing about folic acid preventing polyps in the first place, as was evidenced in the Nurses Health Study. [mcgill.ca]
But when cells are malignant or in danger of becoming so — and as many as half of adults older than 60 could already have precancerous colon polyps, while most middle-aged men have precancerous cells in their prostates — animal studies suggest excess [nbcnews.com]
However, one double-blind study found that supplementing with 1 mg of folic acid per day for three to eight years did not prevent recurrences of precancerous polyps in people who had already had at least one polyp. [peacehealth.org]
Treatment
Injectable forms are also indicated for use in the treatment of megaloblastic anemias due to folic acid deficiency when oral therapy is not feasible and for use in combination with 5-fluorouracil to prolong survival in the palliative treatment of patients [drugbank.ca]
Note: Folic acid requires metabolic activation and is not effective for the treatment of poisoning by dihydrofolate reductase inhibitors (eg, methotrexate and trimethoprim). [accessmedicine.mhmedical.com]
Treatment for an Folic Acid Overdose If an overdose of folic acid is suspected, contact your healthcare provider or your local poison control center immediately. [drugsdb.com]
Indeed, methotrexate, one of the medications used in cancer treatment works by blocking the conversion of folic acid into tetrahydrofolate, the active form of the vitamin. Folic acid is especially critical in the earliest stages of development. [mcgill.ca]
Note: We strongly encourage you to talk with your health care professional about your specific medical condition and treatments. [chemocare.com]
Etiology
After this is established, the health care provider should assess whether the elevated risk is related to a woman's: Low dietary intake of folate or Elevated folate requirement or Uncertain disease etiology where the role of altered folate metabolism [canada.ca]
A better understanding of the etiology of anaemia (e.g. malaria endemnicity, haemoglobinopathies) and the prevalence of risk factors is needed at the country level, to inform context-specific adaptations of this recommendation. [who.int]
Epidemiology
Jacques, D.Sc., senior scientist and director of the Nutritional Epidemiology Program at the USDA HNRCA, and Jacob Selhub, Ph.D., senior scientist and director of the Vitamin Metabolism Laboratory at the USDA HNRCA. [now.tufts.edu]
Ezra Susser, a Columbia University professor of epidemiology and psychiatry. He said other researchers have wondered whether too much folic acid can cause problems. The findings were presented Wednesday at an autism research conference in Baltimore. [cbsnews.com]
Acknowledgements Robert A Adler, MD Chief of Endocrinology and Metabolism, McGuire Veterans Affairs Medical Center; Professor, Departments of Internal Medicine and Epidemiology and Community Health, Virginia Commonwealth University Robert A Adler, MD [medscape.com]
Based on this epidemiologic evidence, several randomized controlled trials were initiated investigating the effect of the B vitamins (including folic acid) on cancer risk. [sciencebasedmedicine.org]
Stay in the safe range "If you're eating a balanced diet and not taking a multivitamin, you're probably fine," says Karin Michels, ScD, PhD, an associate professor in the department of epidemiology at Harvard School of Public Health. [nbcnews.com]
Prevention
As methotrexate functions as a DHFR inhibitor to prevent DNA synthesis in rapidly dividing cells, it also prevents the formation of DHF and THF. [drugbank.ca]
They were given a thousand micrograms of folic acid a day, with hopes of preventing cancer. Not only did that not happen, there was actually a slight increase in cancerous polyps. [mcgill.ca]
Overdosing on folic acid can prevent the development of this anemia, without correcting the underlying vitamin B-12 deficiency, according to the Office of Dietary Supplements. [livestrong.com]
More importantly, prevention is always better than cure. Be sure to read the product label or your prescription label before taking this drug and each dose. Do not take more than the prescribed dose. [drugsdb.com]
“Failing to fortify flour with folic acid to prevent neural tube defects is like having a polio vaccine and not using it,” Nicholas Wald of Queen Mary’s Wolfson Institute of Preventive Medicine told a briefing in London. [reuters.com]