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Folic Acid Side Effects
If you’ve ever wondered why eating croissants in Paris doesn’t leave you bloated and feeling like crap but cereal and bagels in the U.S. do, you’re not alone. I had the same experience. After three weeks of European indulgence pasta, pastries, wine, I came home lighter, clearer, and energized. No brain fog. No weight gain. And then it hit me: it wasn’t the carbs, it was the chemistry. In the U.S., our grains are drenched in synthetic folic acid, a practice mandated since 1993.
Everything from white flour to cereal to rice, if it says “enriched” or “fortified” on the label, it's likely soaked in a synthetic compound your body may not even be able to use. What’s worse? Nearly 44% of Americans carry a genetic mutation (MTHFR) that makes it nearly impossible for them to convert folic acid into the usable form of Vitamin B9: methylfolate. And when folic acid piles up in your system unmetabolized, it doesn’t help you, it hurts you.
Folic Acid: Synthetic Doesn’t Mean Safe
Let’s break it down. Folate is the natural form of Vitamin B9 found in leafy greens, lentils, and avocados. Folic acid is the lab-made version pumped into our food supply and supplements. On paper, they serve the same purpose, helping with DNA repair, red blood cell formation, and fetal development. But in practice, they couldn’t be more different. If your body can’t convert folic acid, it becomes a toxin, not a nutrient.
Unmetabolized folic acid in the bloodstream has been linked to everything from mood disorders to postpartum depression to cognitive fog and even cancer proliferation. Meanwhile, natural folate or its bioavailable form, methylated folate (5-MTHF), bypasses the conversion roadblock and gets right to work supporting your body’s needs.
The ADHD and Anxiety Connection
Now think about this: you send your kid off to school with a bowl of cereal and a glass of OJ. Sounds healthy, right? Except that cereal is fortified with folic acid, and if your child has the MTHFR mutation, you’ve just given them a dose of something they can’t process. That folic acid builds up, floods the system, and mimics a stimulant effect, fidgeting, restlessness, inability to focus. Sound familiar? This is why so many children are misdiagnosed with ADHD. The problem isn’t a deficit of attention, it’s an overload. Their brains are firing on all cylinders, but they can’t dismantle thoughts as fast as they’re generated. And instead of supporting their neurochemistry naturally, we medicate. But what if, instead of Adderall, they just needed to remove synthetic folic acid and add methylated B vitamins?
According to many researchers in the natural health world, the most dangerous myths in modern medicine is that folic acid prevents birth defects. Yes, Vitamin B9 is essential for fetal development, but not the synthetic kind. In women with MTHFR mutations, high-dose folic acid supplementation (common in prenatal vitamins) leads to folic acid buildup, which the body can't convert. The result? A rise in postpartum depression, hormonal imbalance, and even autism risk in some studies.
A folic acid genetic test checks for mutations in the MTHFR gene, which helps convert folic acid into its active form, folate. Variations in this gene can affect how well your body processes folate and may lead to problems like elevated homocysteine levels. The right move? Switch to methylated folate in your prenatal. And if you’re planning for pregnancy, get genetic testing. Knowing whether you have this mutation could change the trajectory of your health, and your baby’s.
SO WHAT CAN YOU DO?
- First and foremost, do your own research. Many mainstream medical professionals still praise folic acid without fully understanding its potential role in chronic illnesses and conditions like ADHD.
- Ditch anything “fortified” or “enriched” with folic acid, especially breads, cereals, multi-vitamins and packaged grains.
- Switch to methylated folate (5-MTHF) supplements if you need Vitamin B9 support.
- Eat real food: leafy greens, asparagus, lentils, liver, all naturally high in folate.
- Consider an MTHFR gene test, it’s simple and can unlock massive insight into your health.
- Check your prenatal vitamins and any multivitamins for synthetic folic acid. Most mainstream brands still use it.
Folic Acid vs. Folate
Deep Dive On Folic Acid A Chemical In Our Food & What It's Doing To Your Body
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