Folic acid is a synthetic version of folate often found in fortified food. Both folic acid and folate have been long-established as a beneficial nutrient during pregnancy. Studies show that supplementing with folic acid may protect against negative neurodevelopmental outcomes stemming from exposure to pesticides, air pollutants, and phthalates.
In the current study, researchers investigated the effects of folic acid supplementation on autism in light of blood-lead levels. To do so, they analyzed data from around 2000 Canadian women collected between 2008 and 2011. Blood-lead levels were measured during first and third trimesters, and participants were surveyed regarding their folic acid supplementation. Children were then assessed at ages 3 or 4 for autistic-like behaviors.
Ultimately, the researchers found that children born to women taking less than 0.4 mg per day of folic acid supplements were more likely to display autistic-like behavior as toddlers. They, however, found that high folic acid supplementation of over 1.0 mg did not provide extra benefit for reducing lead exposure's neurotoxic effects.
“Folic acid supplementation during pregnancy has numerous benefits to child health, especially brain development,” said lead author of the study, Joshua Alampi, PhD candidate at the Faculty of Health Sciences at Simon Fraser University, Canada, in a press release, “Our study suggests that adequate folic acid supplementation mitigates the neurotoxic effects of lead.”
“The study’s finding aligns with Health Canada’s recommendation that all people who are pregnant, lactating, or could become pregnant, should take a daily multivitamin containing 0.4 milligrams of folic acid," concluded Alampi.
Sources: Neuroscience News, Environmental Health Perspectives
