Fortifying flour with folic acid.

Good morning everyone,

This was on the news this morning about flour being fortified with folic acid to reduce neural tube defects by raising folate levels for women who may become pregnant.

I think that the UK govt is right to put the needs of pregnant mums by introducing this. I also think that its a sign of the times that we have ultra processed grains that are nutritionally inadequate for our bodies needs. This is something that I am reminded of this with signs by duck ponds asking us not to feed bread to the ducks as its not nutritious enough!

Being a coeliac I know how the malabsorption of nutrients affected my body before diagnosis so hope that gluten free and alternatives flours are covered by this as a pregnant coeliac needs to be well nourished too.

Here's the article about the UK govt's consultation:

gov.uk/government/consultat...

The photo is of my home made bread fortified naturally with pumpkin and sesame seeds.

Sesame seeds pack a big nutritional punch of calcium so a very valuable resource for those who want/need extra calcium as natural sources of calcium are absorbed by pour bodies much easier than supplements.

Eat healthily for me and my needs is my philosophy.

[Subtle_badger]

I think it's a good idea, but it's not really a sign of the times, they have been fortifying flour for 80 years, starting with calcium.

"The Bread and Flour Regulations (1998) specify that four vitamins and minerals must be added to all white and brown flour. These are calcium, iron, thiamine (Vitamin B1) and niacin (Vitamin B3)."

The new rules do not apply apply to gluten free, nor apparently do the 1998 rules, as Doves Farm gluten free flour is not fortified.

It's shocking that we are being recommended food that is so nutritionally poor. This is obviously essential for those that don't think much about nutrition, but sadly those trying to follow the guidelines also will be struggling to get enough folic acid.

[Hidden in reply to Subtle_badger]

This is very true they fortified breakfast cereals with malt years ago,

I also agree that it’s very sad that nutritionally poor over refined bread is for sale.

[Hidden]

Hi Jerry, I agree that it's a good move to fortify flour with folic acid if it will prevent the awful consequences of having a child with spina bifida. It's not as if there aren't choices if you object as it's not going to be added to wholemeal flour, which is, in any case, far better nutritionally.On the subject of those ducks.... I took seriously the advice about feeding the ducks with white bread and instead followed a suggested alternative of corn kernels and seeds. They hated it! Just like us it seems they too have all become addicted to that white pulpy stuff! 🤣 🦆🦆🦆

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

That’s tight Sue if it helps to prevent Sonia bifida that’s it’s got to be a good thing and may be it’s us that quakers for eating highly refined nutritionally low processed bread. Now I take wild bird food down to the pond and the duckies love it. 🦆👍😊

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Must try that with our local ducks Jerry. It may go down better than the peas and sweetcorn. I reckon these city ducks are probably a bit used to taking too many liberties with their bread!

[Imaaan]

Hi Jerry,

Lovely bread as usual, thanks for sharing it with us.

The question is why is our bread devoid of the nutrition it once had? Dont answer it's rhetorical

The idea of stripping its nutrients to add it back in, is perplexing in itself for me.

As far as I'm aware they add folic acid but the active and more bioavailable form besides foods that naturally contain folic is methyl folate. Some of the population has a MTHFR gene that requires them to ingest methylfolate to maintain or even improve their levels. A lot of supplements have switched over to contain the active form. Interestingly enough, there is a food grade medicine used for depression that contains methyl folic acid named Deplin. Another tidbit info is that too much folic can hide a B12 deficiency which is really dangerous.

I have an issue with high MCV and MCHC at times. A deficiency in folate, b12 or both amongst other things such as hypothyroidism can cause it so that why I know any of this...lol.

[Hidden in reply to Imaaan]

Thank you Imaaan its made with natural grains and is much more wholesome.

You name a very valid point here that too much folic acid can mask B12 deficiency especially in older people but too much of any supplement will I Ballance our system.

What I think we have to do is decide enough is enough and make wholesome choices that our bodies really benefit from. It’s up to us the consumer what we buy and eat.

[MTCee]

Most expecting mothers are urged to take folic acid supplements already so I’m not sure what to think about this latest move by the government. It also seems counter productive to tell people to avoid eating white bread and then decide to add supplements to it to make it more attractive. I would imagine that most expecting mothers would critically assess their food choices and avoid white bread anyway. It all seems very confused thinking.

[Subtle_badger in reply to MTCee]

It's not for those mothers. According to research, 50% of pregnancies are unplanned. By the time they realise they are pregnant and see a doctor, the damage may have already been done.

Also: do you think it makes it more attractive? White flour is already fortified with calcium, iron, thiamine and niacin. I don't think anyone is buying a Greggs sausage roll because of the thiamine in the pastry. The fortification is just to make unhealthy food a little less unhealthy.

[MTCee in reply to Subtle_badger]

Ahh that would make sense, regarding unplanned pregnancies. Didn’t think of that. As regards white bread being made more attractive, I suppose it’s only more attractive to the kind of people who think eating fruit pastilles is one of their five a day.

[Subtle_badger in reply to MTCee]

Or people who think a bar that is 50% pureed dates is a health food 😕

theguardian.com/society/202...

The sad thing is that apparently this will save 200 babies are year, but there will be 800 others who are still affected.

Of course folic acid deficiency is only one cause of the condition.