This is an extract of a position paper by Dr. Joel Fuhrman (available only by subscription), who has written several books on nutrition:
Tumor cells (and all other cells too) need folate to
divide and grow. Low folate status is associated with
DNA strand breaks, impaired DNA repair, mutations,
and aberrant DNA methylation — these are factors
involved in cancer initiation. However, if a few cancer
cells are already present, it is excess folic acid that
can drive tumor growth.1
This could be dangerous
for someone who has an early stage tumor but is not
aware of it. 2 We need to strive for balance in our
folate intake — this means getting plenty of folate
from green vegetables and other plant foods to fuel
normal folate-dependent processes, but steering
clear of enriched grain products and synthetic folic
acid supplements. Excess folic acid is a tool with
which tumor cells can produce the raw materials
that allow for rapid, uncontrolled cell division.1
In short, adequate natural folate from food
protects against cancer initiation, and excess
folic acid can promote cancer progression.
This may explain why there is some disagreement
in epidemiologic studies about whether higher
folate status is protective — the current state of
the research suggests that increasing folate status
to adequate levels from low levels is beneficial, but
producing excessive levels via synthetic folic acid
is not. 2, 3
Smith AD, Kim YI, Refsum H. Is folic acid good for
everyone? Am J Clin Nutr 2008;87:517-533.
Ulrich CM. Folate and cancer prevention: a closer look
at a complex picture. Am J Clin Nutr 2007;86:271-273.
Mason JB. Folate, cancer risk, and the Greek
god, Proteus: a tale of two chameleons. Nutr Rev
2009;67:206-212.
This is an extract of a position paper by Dr. Joel Fuhrman (available only by subscription), who has written several books on nutrition:
Tumor cells (and all other cells too) need folate to divide and grow. Low folate status is associated with DNA strand breaks, impaired DNA repair, mutations, and aberrant DNA methylation — these are factors involved in cancer initiation. However, if a few cancer cells are already present, it is excess folic acid that can drive tumor growth.1
This could be dangerous for someone who has an early stage tumor but is not aware of it. 2 We need to strive for balance in our folate intake — this means getting plenty of folate from green vegetables and other plant foods to fuel normal folate-dependent processes, but steering clear of enriched grain products and synthetic folic acid supplements. Excess folic acid is a tool with which tumor cells can produce the raw materials that allow for rapid, uncontrolled cell division.1
In short, adequate natural folate from food protects against cancer initiation, and excess folic acid can promote cancer progression.
This may explain why there is some disagreement in epidemiologic studies about whether higher folate status is protective — the current state of the research suggests that increasing folate status to adequate levels from low levels is beneficial, but producing excessive levels via synthetic folic acid is not. 2, 3
Smith AD, Kim YI, Refsum H. Is folic acid good for everyone? Am J Clin Nutr 2008;87:517-533.
Ulrich CM. Folate and cancer prevention: a closer look at a complex picture. Am J Clin Nutr 2007;86:271-273.
Mason JB. Folate, cancer risk, and the Greek god, Proteus: a tale of two chameleons. Nutr Rev 2009;67:206-212.