Folic acid is supposed to be an essential vitamin for pregnant women because it prevents Spina bifida and other midline defects.

But what if that is not true?

The vitamin needed is FOLATE, but folic acid is not equivalent to folate. There are biochemical reactions in our body that convert folic acid into folate. But, if there is a glitch in this system, the body has a reduced capacity body to make folate. When I first heard about this, I thought it must be rare, but 40-50% of the population has some form of this mutation). A prenatal vitamin that contains folic acid might not be beneficial.

Consuming folic acid causes a folate deficiency in more ways than one. If a woman cannot convert the folic acid into folate and she takes folic acid, the folic acid blocks receptors in a process called the methylation cycle. If a pregnant woman consumes folate-rich foods while taking a folic acid vitamin, she might be folate-deficient if her folate receptors bind to the UMFC (unmetabolized folic acid).

Folic acid is not just part of prenatal vitamin formulations, it is also in many processed foods.  

I am not a medical doctor, and this is not medical advice. I am just sharing my concerns based on what I have read. If you are pregnant, consult your medical practitioner and inquire about prenatal vitamins that contain folate, not folic acid. Most people do not know that folic acid could be a problem.

The issue is a complicated one. There are different steps in the biochemical process called methylation, and some people may need the methylated version of folate (depending on how well their methylation cycle is functioning). There is an emerging branch of medicine called nutrigenomics which individualizes nutrition. It is possible that folate might not necessarily help some people and that they may need a methylated version of folate. (It is not a 2-step process; folic acid goes through a few steps before becoming methylated folate).

To complicate matters even more, taking methylated folate might trigger detoxification, which is not ideal during pregnancy. So again, please consult with your doctor about this.  It is preferable to take methylated folate at least 6 months before getting pregnant to get the body ready.

Truthfully, it is best to prepare the body for pregnancy in many ways 6 months before getting pregnant. (I did this for my second pregnancy).

There is a way to determine how your body can process folic acid and folate. It requires genetic testing, and one of the mutations/genetic variations to look for is the MTHFR SNP. (MTHFR is an acronym for Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase)  .

There are some physical indications of the MTHFR SNP. These physical attributes are not definitive, but they are “hints” that methylation MAY be an issue for them.

Lip ties and tongue ties
The “sugarbug vein”
Stork Bites
Sacral dimple

If a child has these physical attributes it it could indicate the MTHFR gene. Many parents who have children with methylation issues have reported these midline defects. It is an interesting correlation.

Tragically, folic acid is supposed to prevent midline defects. However, folate prevents it, and many pregnant women are not getting the folate they need.

Pregnant women need to eat nutritionally dense foods. However, foods high in folate, like liver, also contain high levels of vitamin A. There are mixed opinions about high vitamin A levels during pregnancy. The Weston Price Foundation recommends liver pills and cod liver oil as a source of vitamin A. Leafy greens contain folate, and it is universally accepted that eating leafy greens is healthy. Lentils, goat milk kefir, and avocados also contain folate, so there are other options for consuming folate.

(Interestingly, I got pregnant with Lily after drinking goat milk kefir every day for a month. It could be a coincidence, but then again, maybe not).

I cannot figure out any reason to consume folic acid instead of folate. The only scenario where it seems to be beneficial is if a person has a methylation cycle that is operating at optimal capacity. But how many people have optimal methylation? Most people have no idea how their methylation cycle is functioning. If 50% of the population has methylation problems, many are affected.

I can’t wrap my head around this, why is folic acid recommended for pregnant women? Is it contributing to the problems it is supposed to prevent? I hope not, but at this point, I have read enough about folic acid to make me concerned.

For more information, I recommend reading this article, it explains this issue very well.
https://www.drbenlynch.com/folic-acid-side-effects/