Adult, beyond age 50…
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The Institute of
Medicine recommends adults beyond age 50 consume 400 mcg of folate per day. |
The need for folate
in individuals over 50 years old is thought to be the same as that for younger age
groups. Studies have shown that the ability to absorb or use folate is not impaired
by aging.
However, conditions that have a higher
prevalence in the older population have been associated with both risks and benefits of
exposure to folic acid. For
example, folic acid is used to treat megaloblastic anemia in some older adults while it may mask the
diagnosis of pernicious anemia.
Folic acid may help reduce the risk of
cardiovascular disease and colorectal cancer among the elderly.
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