Mandatory food fortification using folic acid began in the USA in 1998 and has spread through other countries, including Australia. What was considered a move to prevent folate deficiency in pregnancy may have led to a rise in unmetabolised folic acid or UMFA. Why is this a problem? Read on.
UMFA builds up when folic acid from supplements and fortified foods exceeds the body’s ability to convert it into methylfolate. This results in signs of folate deficiency on a cellular level despite appearing “replete” on blood tests.
And it’s more than a lab anomaly — it’s linked to the very conditions practitioners see every day:
Fertility & pregnancy complications: increased miscarriage risk, implantation failure, poor embryo viability, and higher rates of neural tube defects when methylation is compromised, gestational diabetes, pre-eclampsia Neurodevelopmental & psychiatric disorders: anxiety, depression, ADHD-like behaviour, hyperactivity, poor stress tolerance, cognitive delays Immune dysregulation: reduced natural killer (NK) cell cytotoxicity — impacting implantation, infection clearance, and cancer surveillance Cancer risk: studies show higher rates of colorectal, breast, lung and prostate cancers with long-term high folic acid exposure Cardiovascular & metabolic dysfunction: higher homocysteine, impaired DNA repair, increased inflammation and oxidative stress
The link between methylation and folate is explained in an earlier post. Methylation is explained in my book as it forms an integral part of conception and also development of the baby. It is particularly relevant in that the mother’s methylation capacity determines the methylation capacity of her baby. So it’s really important to address this essential metabolic function well before you try to fall pregnant.
Those who have read my book and blogs will have a better understanding of why it is so very important to prepare your body well before you want to conceive.
After reading my book and blogs, I strongly suggest that you enlist the support of a fertility trained qualified naturopath. They will be able to assess your personal needs and make recommendations according to those needs.
Please DO NOT buy over-the-counter or online pregnancy supplements – these are mostly inferior quality, contain the wrong form of folate often far too high relative to other B-vitamins. With a glut of very clever marketing, especially on social media, it is difficult for an untrained person to see through the hype of false claims. Everything you put into your body will affect your baby – this goes for both the mother and father. So, please seek professional support.
