Folic acid

[Cath-britton]

I'm si weekly what's the best folic acid and strength please.

[Penni]

I get mine from my GP. I take 5mg daily, this seems to be a fairly common dose

[Gambit62 Administrator]

5mg a day is a very high dose used, in specific circumstances to treat a folate deficiency.

Generally doses of 400mcg of folic acid - available from supermarket are okay.

[kirsten555 in reply to Gambit62]

Does it matter if you take too much folic acid? I'm currently taking 5mg a day to boost my levels, and take-up of B12, but don't want to take too much if it's dangerous (like B6, which I gather can be bad for you in excess). Please could you clarify if folic acid is like B12 and will just be expelled from the body if not needed, or if it's like B6 and can cause issues if too much is taken. Many thanks!

[fbirder in reply to kirsten555]

Taking folic acid will have zero effect on take-up of B12. The two work together on one single reaction in the body. Having more of one doesn't increase the need for the other. My car uses the same amount of oil regardless of whether I drive around with both fuel tanks full or just one half-empty.

There are some reports that suggest very high levels of folic acid can be harmful. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl...

[kirsten555 in reply to fbirder]

Thanks very much for the info, fbirder. I hadn't realised that - I thought I'd read that folic acid was vital to the body's take-up of B12. Obviously mistaken - thank you for putting me straight!

[Penni]

I've been taking that dose since August 2014. I have asked about cutting it down but my GP isn't concerned about it