Folic acid in flour reduces the risk of mental illness

Folic acid accumulation has a positive effect on the offspring

Over the past few months, studies have been published that conclude that vitamin supplements do not provide any health benefits. However, there is one important exception: folic acid is not only intended to reduce the risk of heart disease or stroke, but, as American scientists have recently discovered, the risk of mental illness in the offspring can be prevented if the mother feeds on folic acid-fortified cereal products during pregnancy.

Researchers at the Massachusetts General Hospital recently published a study that found that folic acid fortified cereal products have a positive impact on brain development in the fetus. Furthermore, folic acid in flour should reduce the risk of mental disorders of the offspring. The study results were recently published in the journal "JAMA Psychiatry".

A new study shows a possible link between folic acid and brain development. It seems that folic acid fortification during pregnancy helps to reduce the risk of mental illness in the offspring. (Image: Timmary / fotolia.com)

Folic acid has a positive effect on brain development

In the observational study, the researchers were able to show that there are differences in brain development in adolescents who have received folic acid via the mother as a fetus. Enrichment was from cereal-based food supplemented with folic acid. These accumulations were introduced in the United States back in the 1990s to prevent the neural tube defect in infants.

Lower risk of serious mental illness

The research team's findings suggest that the incidence of severe mental illness such as schizophrenia in adulthood could be reduced by exposure to folic acid. The study compared the brains of adolescents who were born shortly before and shortly after the introduction of folic acid fortification. The researchers recognized changes in brain development that have been linked to folic acid. These changes could in turn reduce the risk of mental symptoms.

Folic acid against autism and schizophrenia

"Severe mental illnesses such as autism and schizophrenia that affect children and young adults are devastating and chronic and currently have no known prevention or cure," reports Joshua Roffman, lead author of the study, in a press release on the study findings. It is currently believed that many mental illnesses begin in the womb. Therefore, it makes sense to focus the efforts there.

A small share already means success

Roffman reports that it is a success if only a fraction of the mental disorders are prevented by the folic acid fortification. This could mean that folic acid could be a readily available intervention during pregnancy to counteract these diseases.

About folic acid fortification in the US

A US Food and Drug Administration regulation required that cereal products such as bread, flour, maize flour, rice and pasta should be fortified with folic acid by 1 January 1998. This should reduce the general risk of severe disabilities such as spina bifida. The measure resulted in a rapid doubling of folate in the blood of US women. A short time later there was a nationwide decrease in spina bifida cases.

Changes in the cerebral cortex

The brain images from the two groups of young people born before and after the full implementation of folic acid fortification showed different patterns in the maturation of the cerebral cortex. The group, which benefited from folic acid, showed significantly thicker brain tissue and delayed thinning in regions associated with schizophrenia. According to the scientists, past studies have linked an early thinning with autism and symptoms of psychosis.

General statement too early

"Folic acid exposure can not be directly linked to a reduced risk of schizophrenia, as the disease typically does not appear until the early 20s," explains Roffman. The participants of the study are all under this age. Nevertheless, the results are very promising and indicate a risk reduction. "The oldest participants in the study are now approaching the age at greatest risk for multiple psychiatric disorders - including bipolar disorder and depression," said Roffman. Soon it would be possible to make more precise statements on the impact of prenatal exposure to folic acid on the development of mental disorders.

Expert believes that worldwide folic acid fortification makes sense

Roffman, who is also a professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School, advocates worldwide folic acid fortification: "While currently 81 countries are increasing their folic acid food supply, more than half of the world's population remains without such exposure." Evidence that prenatal folic acid may be beneficial to brain health may also encourage other countries to implement folic acid fortification, Roffman said. (Vb)