New study suggests possible link between autism and folic acid

Women who are expecting and others who plan on becoming pregnant have been advised for years to take folic acid. It helps prevent birth defects like spina bifida.

However, a study out of Johns Hopkins is finding that the vitamin could have a link to autism.

In the study, very high levels of the vitamin in the mothers’ blood was linked to a higher risk of autism in their children.

Folate is an example of a vitamin found in foods. Folic acid is a synthetic version. However, even with this research, experts say more has to be explored before any conclusions are made.

PRMC clinical dietitian Tamara Giles says, “We don’t know if it’s because of the way that they process the vitamin strictly because of the supplementation. All they know is that they have these higher levels, but they don’t know the cause of the higher levels yet.” 

Researchers say there’s no cause to change current public health recommendations.