Folic Acid Deficiency in Animals May Lead to Health Problems in Human Beings

Studies from the University of Calgary and from Cambridge, United Kingdom have proven that a mutation gene which results to metabolism of substance known as folic acid can affect immediate offspring. Furthermore, the same problem can lead to health effects like heart abnormalities and spina bifida to the next generations. The same animal study has also shown that molecular mechanism for folic acid affect development. At present, there are about one thousand children who are born to have spina bifida. The detrimental impacts of folic acid problems at pregnancy are also supported. This prompted Canada and some countries all around the world to campaign for the implementation of programs for folate fortification. The same campaign leads to the inclusion of folic acid in most cereal products. According to Dr. Jay Cross, “Fortification programs have reduced the risk of health effects but not eliminated them completely.” He added that studies like this should not only focus on the genes but also on the development of the next generation.