Folate in flour?

[Sunnyspells]

Have just seen on the news that they want to add folate to flour in England. Does anyone know how that might impact on people on Methotrexate who have to avoid folate on the days they take it?

[oldtimer]

The amount of folic acid advised for prevention of neural tube defects in babies is only 400 microgrammes. I don't think the amount in flour would make much difference to our levels on the day of taking methotrexate. After all, we don't avoid other folate containing foods that day.

[helixhelix]

In the US people on MTX take folic acid 7 days a week. And they do ok, so I really don't feel it's likely to be critical. Anyway you excrete any your body doesn't need.

[Sunnyspells in reply to helixhelix]

Oh, OK, thanks for that. My rheumy nurse always reminds me not to take it for a couple of days, don't know why!

[Joy_1 in reply to Sunnyspells]

When I first started taking MTX about 2 years ago my Rheumatologist (the Prof) told me to take 1 x 5mg tablet of folic acid on day 3. I asked why. He said MTX depletes folate in the body and 1 x 5mg tablet a week will account for this drop. But by taking it on day 3 you are allowing the MTX to do it's job and the folic acid interferes with this job.

I like many have to take it 6 days a week to keep the nausea at bay. This is not a problem either, it just means the MTX is just a wee bit less effective than it would otherwise be.

The above is based on me asking the Prof questions not googling.

[Sunnyspells in reply to Joy_1]

Thanks for your reply. I knew there was a genuine reason for not taking it on MTX day!

[Hidden in reply to helixhelix]

Hi

From what I read a few weeks ago, the body only excretes naturally occurring folate in foods.

Folic acid is not naturally occurring and could be building up health problems.

dailymail.co.uk/health/arti...

[medway-lady in reply to Hidden]

Folate is naturally occuring and Folic acid merely its synthetic form. I read the article written in 2007 and the benefits appear to far outweigh the risks. As with everything if concerned don't eat it. Not a new story but might well be scare one. lol x

[Hidden in reply to medway-lady]

And might well be true!

Found this link, scrolled to toxicity:

livestrong.com/article/4081...

[Sunnyspells in reply to medway-lady]

I can certainly see the benefits, but hope there will still be choice, so if we do not want to have it, it can be avoided

[Jackadoodle in reply to helixhelix]

In the UK we are advised by our Rumy teams not to take MYX on the day we inject at take Methotexrate.

[helixhelix in reply to Jackadoodle]

Yes I know - just making the point that this is not universal and other countries have different approaches which don't cause people problems. In the Uk they explain that taking folic acid on MTX can inhibit the take up of the MTX, but I can't find any scientific proof of this...so may just be a cultural habit.

[Sunnyspells in reply to helixhelix]

It's strange that different rheumatologists recommend very different quantities, from just one tablet a week to one every day. Does make me wonder if they really know anything about it!

[Hidden]

No. But mandatory addition of it looks like the nanny state controlling far too much:

food.gov.uk/northern-irelan...

dailymail.co.uk/health/arti...

livestrong.com/article/4081...

[Sunnyspells in reply to Hidden]

I must admit I am not keen on things being imposed on us whether we want it or not!

[Fyllida in reply to Hidden]

Exactly. Heard the broadcast (it is far from being law yet) but my initial instinct was how dare they? Why should the 99.9% of us have this imposed upon us and be obliged go hunting for non folate products. Its ridiculous. What next? Nanny state is not thinking, if it ever did.

[Hidden]

It would help newborn babies from having spina bifida. I worked with children with this condition and if it can be prevented, I'm all for it.

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

I am all for prevention of that too, having also nursed affected babies.

But only pregnant women need more folate.

The rest of us don’t. Natural folate from food is excreted if not used.

Synthetic ie folic acid could be a timebomb as it seems to build up in our tissues.

However, as long as I am on MTX, I continue with 5mg of the folic acid.

[Sunnyspells in reply to Hidden]

I have to buy folate as folic acid upsets my stomach and the NHS don't seem able to prescribe folate although luckily it is very cheap to buy.I probably was taking a higher dose than they are putting in the flour,but I wonder how many other people it may upset?

[Hidden in reply to Sunnyspells]

The NHS does not prescribe any natural foodstuff eg herbs and spices, that do make us better but are not drugs.

I might look at buying folate.. hues it comes as powder?

Spinach is a good source, if I recall correctly; Mg in it too. 🙂

[Sunnyspells in reply to Hidden]

It is little capsules. I got it from Amazon

[Fyllida in reply to Hidden]

Sure, why not if one’s pregnant! Not many of us are!

[Hidden in reply to Fyllida]

But younger women might become pregnant unexpectedly. Not everyone plans ahead for these things.

[Fyllida in reply to Hidden]

Are you saying that perhaps some women might inadvertently (ir carelessly) become pregnant, for whatever reason, the whole nation should be subject to added folate in flour products........?

[medway-lady]

I think sometimes its for the good of the majority, I can't eat gluten and would kill for a donut, folate or folic acid or not. lol x Thats not sarcastic. So much was said about flouride but now no one seems to think about it.

[Hidden in reply to medway-lady]

Adding iron, vitamins etc is supposed to be good for us all but not so with folic acid: that is for a small percentage ie pregnant women, to prevent specific birth defects.

I do not believe I ever took folic acid (as it was not yet recommended) during pregnancy but all four of my sons did not have birth defects.

There must be factors involved that have not been addressed eg quality of foods eaten.

Up to pregnant or pre family planning people to ensure they have adequate intake instead of foisting food fortification on everyone who buys ready made processed foods like bread. 🙂

Same for fluoride. I use non fluoride toothpaste. At recent dental check there were no cavities and no need for the annual descale and polish always needed in the past! I was very pleased.

[Fyllida in reply to Hidden]

You are absolutely right. We should not be subject to “advice” from the so-called experts who change their minds every five minutes. Our bodies, our responsibility.

[Cherub198889]

Helix is right. In North America, it isn't unusual to take 5mg of folic acid 7 days a week while on MTX. I also ate a lot of spinach too.