Abstract
Folate plays a central
role in
DNA synthesis and
methylation, which are essential for
DNA integrity
maintenance and
gene expression.
Folate deficiency may
lead to the incorporation of
uracil into
DNA and
chromosome breaks, increasing the
risk of
cancer. However, conflicting evidence has been observed depending on the type of
epidemiological study, dietary or circulating
folate, and the type of
cancer. New concern has arisen after a mandatory
folic acid (FA) fortification program adopted for the prevention of
neural tube defects in the
United States, which suggested an increase in the
incidence of
colorectal cancer. In the present article,
folate status and
cancer are under
review, and a discussion of the challenge of assessing
folate status through
food intake, supplement use, FA fortification programs, circulating
folate, and the interaction of
diet and the polymorphism of the
enzyme involved in
folate metabolism will be presented.