From KATIE ROGERS
As a pregnant woman very much aware of the link between folic acid and
neural tube defects, I was dismayed at the suggestion that folic acid should
be added to staple foods like bread (‘The great folic acid scandal’, 17
July). I feel the blanket imposition of any dietary supplement on the
whole population is inappropriate.
Do we know the long term effects of high doses of folic acid? It worries
me that people are suggesting yet more folic acid should be added to my
already relatively folic acid rich diet. I would draw comparisons with the
controversy over the fluoridation of water, with its possible side effects
of increased heart disease, cancer, etc. More recently the link has been
revealed between childhood cancer and the administration of vitamin K to
newborn babies for the prevention of haemorrhagic disease.
I can see the sense in targeting at-risk women, identified in your article
as those from deprived backgrounds. However, I can only see putting folic
acid in bread as a quick-fix solution. Surely most important is good health
education and addressing the issues of poverty and poor social and environmental
conditions. We need to ensure good general diet for those at risk not only
of neural tube defects but congenital abnormalities, premature birth and
poor child health. Perhaps then those people from deprived backgrounds could
make a real choice about what they eat, including folic acid supplements
if they choose.
Katie Rogers Ipswich, Suffolk
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