Beware: Excess Folic Acid May Cause Memory Decline
Recently, Dr. Marta Mauras from the University of Rochester Medical Center found through research that excessive folic acid intake may lead to symptoms resembling dementia. This conclusion has further intensified debates in Europe over whether to fortify foods with folic acid.
Folic acid is a vital nutrient, part of the B-complex vitamins, crucial for healthy cell formation and function. Experts have long recommended daily intake of around 400 micrograms, including amounts obtained from normal foods like oranges, spinach, strawberries, and broccoli, as well as supplements such as multivitamins. Adequate folic acid intake is especially important for pregnant women, as it is essential for early embryonic neural tube development. To prevent developmental defects, since 1998, folic acid has been added to flour and breakfast cereals sold in the U.S. to ensure sufficient intake, particularly among pregnant women.
Folic Acid Causes Memory Loss in the Elderly
The study surveyed 3,700 adults over 65, grouped by folic acid intake. Results showed that those with higher folic acid intake experienced faster memory decline. The research found that if seniors consume more than 700 micrograms of folic acid daily, their rate of cognitive aging over six years is twice as fast as others. Even those consuming only 400 micrograms daily showed faster memory loss than those with lower intake. These findings were published in the *Archives of Neurology*.
Like other B vitamins such as B12 and B6, folic acid helps break down homocysteine—a harmful metabolic byproduct. Accumulation of homocysteine can lead to heart disease and stroke.
She suggests these dementia-like symptoms may actually stem from B12 deficiency. Typically, B12 deficiency presents as anemia, which folic acid is used to treat. This masks the underlying B12 deficiency—treating the symptom but not the root cause. B12 deficiency leads to nerve damage and memory decline.
If this theory holds, folic acid isn’t the real culprit behind dementia—the true cause is B12 deficiency. Research shows that 80-year-olds consuming about 20 micrograms of B12 daily age 25% slower than those consuming only 2.4 micrograms.
Elderly Should Be Cautious with Folic Acid
For this reason, the UK has never fortified flour with folic acid, to avoid masking B12 deficiency in older adults and delaying treatment. Although this research isn’t yet conclusive enough to guide elderly dietary choices, it does suggest caution regarding folic acid intake.
Moreover, Americans often take multivitamins, raising concerns that people may ingest far more folic acid than needed. Researchers advise older adults to monitor the folic acid content in their vitamin supplements carefully.