Folic Acid and Prostate Cancer  

Folate and Folic acid are two diverse versions of the Vitamin B. While folate has its presence in natural form, folic acid is processed and artificial version of Vitamin B. However, both these components are important for synthesis of nucleic acid and hemoglobin. 

Association Between Folic Acid and Prostate Cancer 

Consuming the right dosage of folate enables the formation as well as the maintenance of healthy cells. There is a significant decline in the formation of the free radicals when strong cells are formed. The reduction in the free radicals automatically minimizes the chances of contracting cancer. But this might not be appropriate for all kind of cancers especially prostate cancer. 

Folic acid or vitamin B9 is a water soluble Vitamin and does not get stored in the human body.  Being water soluble, folic acid gets mixed with the blood stream and is secreted along with urine. Folic acid is necessary for the formation and the maintenance of cells. It also ceases cell separation. To retain folic acid in the body one has to consume fruits and vegetables rich in folic acid or consume synthetic folic acid supplements.  

Medical studies have gathered enough evidences of strangeness between folic acid and prostate cancer. Let us learn about the association between folic acid and prostate cancer through different angles.  

Cancer research and Studies have revealed that folic acid supplements have significantly increased the chances of contracting prostate cancer among men.  Statistics show 10% that among the six hundred and forty three men, who were given supplements of folic acid over a period of ten years, contracted prostate cancer. After the study it was evident that men who took the supplements were more prone to prostate cancer as against those who did not take supplements. 

On the other hand, those who were given dietary folic acid intake as an alternative for the folate intake showed positive results against cancerous growth. Though there is no statistical proof for the same, these studies emphasize the complex connection between prostate cancer and folic acid. They also throw light on the diverse effects of consumption of natural folate and folic acid over same medical condition.  

Folic Acid and Prostate Cancer  

It is evident the association between the folate and the prostate cancer is very obscure. Theoretically it shows that vitamins might minimize the chances of contracting prostate cancer, but practical studies have proved otherwise.  

Although the connection between cancer and folate is baffling, patients are recommended to intake permissible dosages of folic acid. The ideal dosage to prevent or inhibit the growth of prostate cancer is 400 micrograms of folic acid and 320 micrograms of Saw Palmetto in dietary forms.  

Dietary Folate Sources 

Following food items are known to be high in folate content:

Food items that carry moderate folate content in them are: