What are the side effects of too much folic acid?
What are the side effects of too much folic acid?
What are the side effects of too much folic acid?
Doses higher than 1 mg daily may be unsafe. These doses might cause stomach upset, nausea, diarrhea, irritability, confusion, behavior changes, skin reactions, seizures, and other side effects. Another form of folic acid, L-5-methyltetrahydrofolate (L-5-MTHF), can also be found in supplements.
Is folic acid toxic in high doses?
A toxic dose has not been established, but folic acid is generally nontoxic. Intakes more than 5000 mcg/day mask pernicious anemia.
How does the body get rid of excess folic acid?
Folic acid dissolves in water. This means that it is regularly removed from the body through urine, so excess amounts do not build up in the body. You should not get more than 1000 mcg per day of folic acid. Using higher levels of folic acid can mask vitamin B12 deficiency.
Can too much folic acid cause inflammation?
Observational evidence suggests a relationship exists between folate levels and risk of inflammatory disease. Low serum folate and elevated Hcy levels are commonly reported in patients with chronic inflammatory disorders, such as inflammatory bowel disease and rheumatoid arthritis [9,10].
Can folic acid be toxic?
Oral folic acid (pteroylglutamic acid) is generally regarded as not toxic for normal humans but it may cause neurological injury when given to patients with undiagnosed pernicious anemia. The vitamin should be given with caution to drug-treated epileptic patients because seizure control may be affected.
Can one overdose on folic acid?
You can’t get too much from foods that naturally contain folate. You should not get more than 1,000 micrograms of folic acid a day, unless your doctor prescribes a higher amount. Too much folic acid can hide signs that you lack vitamin B12, which can cause nerve damage.
What causes high folic acid levels?
High levels of folate in the blood may mean that you eat a diet rich in folate or folic acid, take vitamins, or take folic acid pills. Consuming more folate than the body needs does not cause problems. High folate levels can also mean a vitamin B12 deficiency. Body cells need vitamin B12 to use folate.
Does folic acid help you lose weight?
There is no evidence that people with adequate blood levels of folic acid will gain weight if they take supplements. However, weight loss is one possible side effect of a folate deficiency. If someone makes up for a folic acid deficiency by supplementing, he or she may regain the weight lost because of the shortfall.
What are the symptoms of high folate levels?
Excessive folic acid intake can cause UMFA to build up in your body, which may lead to detrimental health effects.
- May mask a vitamin B12 deficiency.
- May accelerate age-related mental decline.
- May slow brain development in children.
- May increase the likelihood of cancer resurgence.
What diseases cause high folate levels?
There are several other medical conditions that may increase folic acid needs including anyone taking medications for epilepsy, Rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, psoriasis, asthma, and inflammatory bowel disease; anyone with kidney disease who is on dialysis; anyone with liver, sickle cell, or celiac diseases.
Is 20 high for folic acid?
The reference range of the plasma folate level varies by age, as follows : Adults – 2-20 ng/mL, 2-20 μg/L, or 4.5-45.3 nmol/L. Children – 5-21 ng/mL, 5-21 μg/L, or 11.3-47.6 nmol/L. Infants – 14-51 ng/mL, 14-51 μg/L, or 31.7-115.5 nmol/L.
Can I take 2 folic acid tablets a day?
It is not important whether you take folic acid before or after meals. If you forget to take a tablet, take it as soon as you remember. If you do not remember until the following day, skip the forgotten dose. Do not take two doses at the same time to make up for a missed dose.
Why would my folate be high?
What is considered a high folate level?