A new study shows that 40% of Canadians have higher levels of folic acid and less than 1% of folic acid deficiency.
Since 1998, Canada has begun to use folic acid to fortify flour and grains. Folic acid is a vitamin that reduces the incidence of birth defects such as spina bifida, congenital heart disease, cleft lip and palate, and neural tube defects. The brain and spinal cord are not Proper development is the cause of these defects.
Researchers studied 5248 general population aged 6 to 79 years and studied their folic acid status. Studies have shown that 40% of Canadians have higher levels of folic acid and less than 1% of folic acid deficiency.
For women of childbearing age, folic acid fortification benefited the population, however, 22% of this group had insufficient levels of folic acid in their body to prevent neural tube defects.
The average level of folic acid in women of child-bearing age is not affected by income and education.
The researchers said that some doctors believe that women of childbearing age need to supplement with a lot of folic acid, so it is worth considering that double the amount of folic acid in foods is enhanced.
The researchers concluded that the practice of improving folic acid in women of childbearing age by increasing the folic acid booster dose requires careful practice.
Karin Michels of Harvard Medical School believes that people can consume a lot of folic acid, but for the elderly, a lot of folic acid can cause vitamin B12 deficiency to be difficult to detect.
Folic acid can also prevent cancer and heart disease. The researchers call for the need to continue to monitor the status of folic acid in Canadian nationals. Research on the relationship between blood levels of folic acid and health needs to be monitored.
The Canadian Ministry of Health assessed the study and said whether the folic acid in the blood test is still suspect from food or supplements. Scientists from the Ministry of Health will continue to pay attention to recent research on the effects of folic acid on health. If there is scientific evidence to support changes in the fortification value of folic acid, then scientists will not hesitate to suggest changes to the Ministry of Health.