Folic acid deficiency can cause severe health problems in offspring, including spina bifida, heart defects and placental abnormalities.
A new study published in the journal Cell reveals that a mutation in a gene necessary for the metabolism of folic acid not only affects the immediate offspring but can also have detrimental health effects on future generations.
Researchers from the universities of Cambridge and Calgary observed mice in which a genetic mutation caused an abnormal folic acid metabolism, leading to similar effects to dietary folic acid deficiency.
When either the maternal grandmother or the maternal grandfather had the mutation, their genetically normal grandchildren were at risk of a wide spectrum of developmental abnormalities.
These developmental abnormalities were also seen in the fourth and fifth generations of mice.
Excellent sources of folate include leafy vegetables, such as romaine lettuce, spinach, asparagus and turnip greens.