Folic Acid Fortification: Why The New UK Law Will Wreak Havoc With Our Health.

This year folic acid is being added to all non-wholemeal wheat flour by law. The given intention is to reduce neural tube defects such as spina bifida by ensuring that women of childbearing age consume enough folate; however, from traditionally recommending folate supplementation to pregnant women, the government has now taken a step further: folic acid will be in the food supply automatically. Let me explain why this is a very bad idea.

This change doesn’t affect only women of childbearing age. It affects everyone.

Every person who eats supermarket bread, pastries, pasta, biscuits and processed foods made from white flour will now consume synthetic folic acid as part of their diet, whether they need it, want it, or can metabolise it properly. And the implications are huge. 

Folate vs Folic Acid: Not the Same Thing

Folate is the natural vitamin B9 that occurs in leafy greens, legumes and whole foods.

Folic acid is a synthetic laboratory-created form of B9.

Although often used interchangeably in conversation, the body does not treat them as identical. Natural folate enters the methylation cycle efficiently when the body’s enzymes are functioning normally. Folic acid, however, requires specific processing in the liver to convert it into the usable, methylated form.

However, many people do not convert folic acid effectively. This is largely due to common genetic variants of the MTHFR gene (methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase). These variants are not rare. It is estimated that more than 40% of people have reduced MTHFR function. Reduced activity of this enzyme means the conversion from folic acid to active methylfolate slows down, or bottlenecks entirely.

This then causes synthetic folic acid to accumulate in the blood, unmetabolised and unusable. Meanwhile the body is still functionally “folate deficient” at the cellular level, even though blood tests may appear normal. This “folate bottleneck” has ripple effects across multiple systems, including impaired methylation, raised homocysteine, lowered detoxification capacity, altered neurotransmitter metabolism, disrupted hormone regulation and lower energy production.

For people with MTHFR variations, flooding the food supply with synthetic folic acid could well create more problems than it solves.

The Hidden Impacts on Detoxification, Hormones and Energy

Methylation is one of the most fundamental biochemical processes in the human body. It is involved in detoxification, DNA repair, formation of neurotransmitters such as serotonin and dopamine, regulation of hormones, histamine breakdown, energy production and immune function. When folic acid intake increases but methylation efficiency does not, the system becomes overloaded. Unmetabolised folic acid may occupy folate receptors, while the body remains starved of active methylfolate. One of the consequences of impaired methylation is raised homocysteine, which has been associated with cardiovascular risk, cognitive decline and poor detoxification ability.

Excessive folic acid intake may also suppress natural killer cell activity, which is an important arm of the immune system responsible for seeking out abnormal cells - as I’ll detail below, this may have significant implications for raising the risk of cancer. 

This new law is a big deal because folate intake is no longer a question of optional supplementation. This is about the blanket addition of synthetic folic acid to a major national food staple. This becomes even more relevant when we look at vulnerable groups.

Autism, Folate Metabolism and Brain Chemistry

Folate metabolism plays an important role in neurological function. Emerging research suggests that a high proportion of individuals diagnosed with autism spectrum conditions carry MTHFR gene variants that impair folate processing - some estimates suggest up to 70%.

This matters because methylation affects neurotransmitter balance, glutamate processing, oxidative stress levels, glutathione production (the body’s master antioxidant) and mitochondrial function. If unmetabolised folic acid interferes with the natural folate cycle, the brain may be exposed to increased oxidative stress and altered neurotransmitter signalling. Glutamate, in particular, can become excitotoxic when not balanced correctly, contributing to overstimulation, anxiety, sleep issues and inflammation in neurological tissue.

Lowered glutathione means less ability to neutralise toxins or inflammatory by-products. Mitochondria (the tiny energy factories in each cell) are especially vulnerable to oxidative damage, resulting in low energy, metabolism and mood. 

So, in a population already experiencing increasing levels of neurodevelopmental conditions, it is reasonable to pause and ask: Is mandatory synthetic folic acid for everyone really the best approach?

And What About Cancer Risk?

Another area for discussion is the potential relationship between high folic acid intake and tumour growth. Folate is essential for DNA synthesis and rapid cell division. This is beneficial during pregnancy, but rapidly dividing abnormal cells may also utilise folate. Some studies suggest high folic acid intake may accelerate the growth of existing cancers and therefore, with this in mind caution must be taken.

And What About Pregnant Women?

The most paradoxical part of the new law is that the very group it aims to protect are the ones who most benefit from methylated folate, not synthetic folic acid. Active L-methylfolate bypasses the genetic conversion step entirely and supports proper methylation cycles. It is this methylated form the body actually uses for neural tube closure, foetal brain development, red blood cell formation and DNA synthesis. 

So while the intention is prevention of neural tube defects, fortifying food with a form many women cannot metabolise may not truly meet that goal and it potentially adds new layers of biological stress instead.

The Bigger Picture: Mandatory Medication Through Food?

At what point does the fortification of food become a method of mass medication? And how much say should individuals have over what goes into their bodies?

We live in a world where chronic illness, neurological disorders, infertility, fatigue and immune dysregulation are rising. At the same time, our food becomes more processed and more synthetic.

Perhaps the most important outcome of this discussion is awareness. I want to encourage informed choices and empower you to learn more about this topic and what is right for you. 

The topic of folate metabolism, MTHFR genetics and methylation is complex. It is relevant to genetics, nutrition, neurology, psychology, detoxification and energy systems all at once. No one is expected to unravel this on their own. This is where functional health support can be valuable.

As a Health Coach specialising in root-cause approaches, environmental exposures and biochemical individuality, I help people explore whether folate cycle issues or methylation problems may be affecting their energy, mood, detoxification ability or overall wellbeing. Together we look at symptoms, history, nutrition, environment and lifestyle factors and then build a personalised plan that aligns with your mind and body.

Truly understanding your physiology is one of the most empowering health revelations you ever make. 

Contact me today to discover how I can help you to get your health on track this year.