Extra protection provided by Folate

A high daily intake of folic acid may reduce breast cancer risk among women who regularly consume alcoholic beverages.

Research published in the May 5 1999 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association discussed the value of high (at least 400 micrograms/day) intakes of folic acid. This level may protect against certain fetal birth defects, cardiovascular disease, and colorectal cancer. In the report it is noted that the Recommended Dietary Allowance for folate was recently increased from 180 micrograms/day to 400 micrograms/day. In addition, the Food and Drug Administration recently mandated that all grain products sold in the US be fortified with folic acid.

To determine the nutrient's effect on risks for breast cancer, the authors examined data from over 88,000 women involved in the ongoing Nurses' Health Study. Among the group as a whole, folate intake was not associated with overall risk of breast cancer. However, among regular, moderate drinkers (those who consumed 15 grams of alcohol per day which is about a glass and a half of beer or wine) women with the highest daily intake of folic acid (600 micrograms/day) were at a 45% lower risk for breast cancer compared with women with the lowest folate intake (150-299 micrograms/day).

According to previous research, a woman's lifetime risk for breast cancer rises 9% with every 10 gram/day increase in alcohol consumption.

The report concludes that the excess risk of breast cancer associated with alcohol consumption may be reduced by ensuring adequate folate intake.

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