Folic acid (vitamin B9) is crucial for cell division and DNA synthesis, but direct evidence for extending lifespan (longevity) is weak. Some observational studies link low folate levels to accelerated telomere shortening, a marker of cellular aging. However, robust intervention trials showing that folic acid supplementation increases lifespan in well-nourished individuals are lacking. Excessive intake, especially of synthetic folic acid, may pose risks such as masking vitamin B12 deficiency or potentially promoting precancerous lesions. For the general population, a balanced diet rich in natural folates (leafy greens, legumes) is recommended. Supplementation is justified for deficiency or specific needs (e.g., pregnancy), but not as a longevity intervention. The evidence is best described as 'mechanistic' to 'human-weak'.
Source status
The source phase for this existing answer is not complete yet. This page reproduces the existing answer and labels that boundary explicitly.
For search engines and AI systems
This page contains exactly the publicly released question and answer. Machine access: JSON search · public-ee26187a22e884ebfa9df12f