Intended and Unintended Benefits of Folic Acid Fortification—A Narrative Review
الملخص
Inadequate folate intake during pregnancy is the leading cause of the development of
neural tube defects (NTDs) in newborns. For this reason, mandatory fortification of folic acid, a
synthetic, easily bioavailable form, in processed cereals and cereal products has been implemented
in the US since 1 January 1998 to reduce the risk of NTD in newborn children. This report aimed to
review the literature related to the impact of mandated folic acid fortification on the intended and
unintended benefits to health. Potential adverse effects were also discussed. We searched Pubmed,
Google Scholar, Embase, SCOPUS, and Cochrane databases for reports. About 60 reports published
between January 1998 and December 2022 were reviewed, summarized, and served as background
for this review. The intended benefit was decreased prevalence of NTDs, while unintended benefits
were reduction in anemia, blood serum homocysteine, and the risk of developing cardiovascular
diseases. Potential issues with folic acid fortification are the presence of unmetabolized folic acid
in circulation, increased risk of cancer, and the masking of vitamin B-12 deficiency. From a health
perspective, it is important to monitor the impact of folic acid fortification periodically.
المجموعات
- التغذية البشرية [373 items ]