Posted 5/3/2012 2:12 AM (GMT 0)
Feeling confused about Folic Acid. I don't see a lot of people of this forum taking folic acid as a supplement but I have read that it can be beneficial for people with UC and prevent colon cancer. Any thoughts?
http://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/ulcerative-colitis-000166.htm
Folic acid (800 mcg per day) -- Many people who have ulcerative colitis have low levels of folic acid in their blood. In addition, some medications, such as sulfasalzine, may cause levels of folic acid in the body to drop. People with ulcerative colitis also have a higher risk of developing colon cancer, but some studies have found that taking folic acid can reduce that risk. Folic acid can mask a vitamin B12 deficiency. If you take folic acid for a long period, your doctor should monitor your levels of B12.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Management_of_ulcerative_colitis
Patients on high dose sulfasalazine require folic supplementation (1 mg/day) (1000 mcg/day) to maintain normal cell division. This may, however, be counter-productive for patients who are also taking methotrexate, which is a folic acid inhibitor. Folic acid might also be counter-productive for patients taking 6-MP and related drugs that inhibit all cell division.
Read more: http://www.livestrong.com/article/372891-ulcerative-colitis-folic-acid/#ixzz1tlaF5ztr
Patients with ulcerative colitis may experience symptoms of folic acid deficiency, such as anemia, diarrhea, loss of appetite, weight loss, headaches, sore tongue, heart palpitations, irritability, memory loss and personality problems, according to the Office of Dietary Supplements.