Folic Acid

Identification
Generic Name
Folic Acid
Brand Name

 

Indication

Condition Contra-Indication
Our Records are Incomplete for Condition-Contra Indications

 
Other Contra-Indication
Our Records are Incomplete for Other Contra-Indications

Contra-Indication
Our Records are Incomplete for Drug Contra-Indications

 
Class Contra-Indication
Our Records are Incomplete for Drug Class Contra-Indications

We have incomplete side-effect data.

Side Effects
Efficacy of Folic Acid as an Alternative Medicine According to GRADE* Ranking: 


Ovarian Cancer [1, 2, 3, 4]:

Please note, this management does NOT treat the condition itself. It may mildly help with some of the symptoms, and even then has insufficient evidence to back up this claim at present.

Recommendation: Weakly against (There is insufficient evidence to support claims that folic acid helps to prevent ovarian cancer. With regards to treating an existing cancer, there is a risk that folic acid supplements may actually be harmful)

Grade of Evidence: Low level of evidence 


Spina Bifida [1, 2, 3, 4]:

Recommendation: Strongly Recommended (Evidence clearly shows that women taking folic acid supplements during pregnancy can greatly reduce the risk of spina bifida occuring in their babies)

Grade of Evidence: High level of evidence 


Fragile X Associated Tremor Ataxia Syndrome [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8]:

Please note, this management does NOT treat the condition itself. It may mildly help with some of the symptoms, and even then has insufficient evidence to back up this claim at present.

Recommendation: Weakly in favor (Studies show that folic acid may be beneficial to those with FXTAS. More studies are needed)

Grade of Evidence: Low level of evidence 


Colon Cancer [1, 2, 3, 4]:

Please note, this management does NOT treat the condition itself. It may mildly help with some of the symptoms, and even then has insufficient evidence to back up this claim at present.

Recommendation: Weakly against (There is insufficient evidence to support claims that folic acid helps to prevent colon cancer. With regards to treating an existing cancer, there is a risk that folic acid supplements may actually be harmful.)

Grade of Evidence: Low level of evidence 


Coronary Heart Disease [1, 2, 3, 4]:

Please note, this management does NOT treat the condition itself. It may mildly help with some of the symptoms, and even then has insufficient evidence to back up this claim at present.

No recommendation (There is insufficient evidence to support claims that folic acid helps to treat or prevent heart disease)

Grade of Evidence: Very low level of evidence 


Alcohol Withdrawal [1, 2, 3, 4, 9]:

Please note, this management does NOT treat the condition itself. It may mildly help with some of the symptoms, and even then has insufficient evidence to back up this claim at present.

Recommendation: Weakly in favor (Early studies show that folic acid may be able to help treat alcohol withdrawal. More studies are needed)

Grade of Evidence: Low level of evidence 


Alcohol Withdrawal [1, 2, 3, 4, 9]:

Please note, this management does NOT treat the condition itself. It may mildly help with some of the symptoms, and even then has insufficient evidence to back up this claim at present.

Recommendation: Weakly in favor (Early studies show that folic acid may be able to help treat alcohol withdrawal. More studies are needed)

Grade of Evidence: Low level of evidence 


Ischaemic Heart Disease [1, 2, 3, 4]:

Please note, this management does NOT treat the condition itself. It may mildly help with some of the symptoms, and even then has insufficient evidence to back up this claim at present.

Recommendation: No recommendation (There is insufficient evidence to support claims that folic acid helps to treat or prevent heart disease)

Grade of Evidence: Very low level of evidence 


References: 
1. Ades T, Alteri R, Gansler T, Yeargin P, "Complete Guide to Complimentary & Alternative Cancer Therapies", American Cancer Society, Atlanta USA, 2009

2. http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/002092.htm

3. http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/folicacid.html

4.http://www.cancer.org/Treatment/TreatmentsandSideEffects/ComplementaryandAlternativeMedicine/HerbsVitaminsandMinerals/folic-acid

5. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16047089

6. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2546470/

7. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4350386/

8. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK1384/

9. http://pubs.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/arh22-1/38-43.pdf


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