Some recent research points to benefits of folic acid use for other segments of the population, beyond women of child- bearing age. Maria L Moline is a certified genetic counselor.
Some studies suggest also a decreased risk for limb anomalies.
A look at the biochemical effects of folic acid at the cellular level can explain some of these multiple benefits. The following summary is adapted from an excellent review article published in 1998. The synthetic forms of folic acid contain only monoglutamates. Polyglutamates must be converted to absorbable monoglutamates in the upper small intestine. Folate has two know important biologic effects.