Date amended:
External
Statements of Principles

Malignant neoplasm of the colorectum - Inability to consume folate in food Factor

The RMA has defined folate in food as meaning “a B group vitamin found in natural foods, which consists of a family of monoglutamates or polyglutamates of pteroic acid that is used in DNA methylation, synthesis and repair. This definition does not include folic acid in fortified foods or supplements”.

Folate (or folic acid) can be found in such foods as asparagus, spinach, Brussels sprouts, oranges, bananas, strawberries and legumes.  However because of its important role in the very early stages of foetal development and when a woman may not realise she is pregnant, common foods such as bread and breakfast cereal are supplemented with additional folate.

Folate is easily destroyed during the cooking process so most benefit is derived from eating some fruit and vegetables raw.

The folate content of foods

Food

Folate (m g)

Pulses

 

150 g chickpeas (boiled)

81

150 g baked beans (canned)

33

100 g blackye beans (boiled)

210

50 g soy flour

173

Grains

 

A bowl of folate fortified breakfast cereal

50 - 100

100 g folate fortified bread

50 - 200

100 g whole grain bread

90

100 g wholemeal flour

57

10 g wheatgerm

33

Vegetables

 

50 g asparagus (boiled)

78

50 g broccoli (boiled)

32

50 g beetroot (boiled)

55

50 g spinach (boiled)

45

Fruit

 

1 cup (250 ml) orange juice

50

1 cup (125 g) raspberries/blackberries

41

Nuts

 

20 g peanuts

22

20 g hazelnuts

14

Dairy

 

1 tub low- fat yoghurt

38

Other

 

1 tsp yeast extract (Vegemite/Marmite)

50

100 g fried chicken liver

500

Holland B et al. McCance and Widdowson's The Composition of Foods. fifth edition. Cambridge: The Royal Society of Chemistry and Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food; 1993

Dietary data from www.gograins.grdc.com.au

Last reviewed for CCPS 26 August 2004.

Investigative Documents

Type

Title

PDF Format

Word Format

Claimant Report
Inability to consume fibre/folate in food
Document
Document
Preliminary questions [33914]

33925 there is some evidence that an inability to consume folate in food may be a factor in the development of the condition under consideration.

33927  the veteran has established the causal connection between the inability to consume folate in food and operational service for the clinical onset of malignant neoplasm of the colorectum.

Clinical onset and operational service [33927]

33929 the veteran was unable to consume folate in food as specified in the Statement of Principles over a continuous period of five years within the ten years immediately before the clinical onset of malignant neoplasm of the colorectum.

33931 operational service made a material contribution to the veteran's inability to consume folate in food as specified in the Statement of Principles over a continuous period of five years within the ten years immediately before the clinical onset of malignant neoplasm of the colorectum.

or

33933 the veteran's inability to consume folate in food as specified in the Statement of Principles for malignant neoplasm of the colorectum was due to an illness or injury which is identifiable.

33937  the identified illness or injury which caused the inability to consume folate in food as specified in the Statement of Principles for malignant neoplasm of the colorectum is causally related to operational service.