FOLIC ACID

Folic acid is a B vitamin needed for cell replication and growth. Folic acid helps form building blocks of DNA, the body’s genetic information, and building blocks of RNA, needed for protein synthesis in all cells. Therefore, rapidly growing tissues, such as those of a fetus, and rapidly regenerating cells, like red blood cells and immune cells, have a high need for folic acid. Folic acid deficiency results in a form of anemia that responds quickly to folic acid supplementation.

A diet low in folic acid has been associated with a high incidence of pre-cancerous polyps in the colon, suggesting that folic acid may prevent the development of colon cancer. Two studies have shown that reduced folic acid levels are associated with an increase in the incidence of cancer in people with ulcerative colitis and a third study showed the degree of abnormal cell growth decreases as folic acid intake increases. Three large population studies showed that low folic acid intake is associated with an increased risk of colorectal cancer.

In addition, decreased blood levels of folic acid are associated with an increased risk of colon cancer in women. Long-term supplementation with folic acid from a multivitamin has been found in one large population study to be associated with a reduced risk of colon cancer. However, 15 years of supplementation was necessary before a significant reduction in colon-cancer risk became apparent.