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From: sdyer@bbncca.ARPA (Steve Dyer)
Newsgroups: net.med
Subject: Re: Folic Acid
Message-ID: <612@bbncca.ARPA>
Date: Tue, 6-Mar-84 09:49:32 EST
Article-I.D.: bbncca.612
Posted: Tue Mar  6 09:49:32 1984
Date-Received: Wed, 7-Mar-84 00:22:36 EST
References: <210@metheus.UUCP>
Organization: Bolt, Beranek and Newman, Cambridge, Ma.
Lines: 19

Yes, folic acid can "mask" development of B-12 deficiency, and as such
is limited to 0.4mg per over-the-counter supplement.  This restriction
protects those people who will develop pernicious anemia, a condition
where B-12 cannot be absorbed by the digestive system even in VERY
large doses.   This explains the FDA's restriction regardless of the
amount of B-12 in the supplement.  B-12 deficiency develops very slowly
and such a person who had the habit of taking milligram quantities of
folic acid would probably end up with severe CNS damage by the time
the deficiency had advanced sufficiently to break through the masking
effect.

Doctors know the importance of folic acid supplementation during
pregnancy.  Why doesn't your wife get a prescription for the
vitamin (or a prescription-only multi-vitamic) instead of trying
to "mix-and-match" with over-the-counter preparations?
-- 
/Steve Dyer
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