Folic Acid is a life-giving supplement when it comes to its utilities and functions. Folic Acid is a synthetic structure of Folic Acid, a naturally occurring B vitamin in our body. Folic Acid is vital for making strong DNA structures and other genetic codes in an individual that is why it plays an important role, especially in prenatal health. Folic Acid may reduce the risk of preterm birth and icon deficiency of a pregnant woman. Folic Acid deficiency during pregnancy can lead to harsh neural tube irregularities, like anencephaly and spina bifida.
Folic Acid is also known as vitamin B-9, naturally occurs in certain food substances for direct consumption. Folic Acid supplements the vitamin requirement that a regular human body loses or needs for better functioning. It helps in tons of activates on a regular basis. Through this article you can understand and explore the importance of Folic Acid in the body, its sources, Deficiency, recommended intakes, and everything that you need to know for this miracle product.
Let’s first understand why is it important?
Folic Acid is extremely important for a wide range of body functioning. It helps in making healthy new red blood cells within the body. The Red blood cells help to carry oxygen throughout the body. If the body does not make enough of RBC, a person may develop symptoms of anemia which h may lead to fatigue, weakness, and a pale complexion. Without enough folic acid, a person may get Folic Acid deficiency anemia which is a rare, yet futile form of Anemia.
Folic Acid helps in the synthesis of DNA; it strengthens genetic material and helps in easy cell division. That is why it is particularly important to get more Folic Acid during pregnancy. Because of its importance even manufacturers of bread, rice, cereals, and other everyday usable items are asked to use to add and Folic Acid. It is said to decrease and even stop irregularities of the neural tube in the fetus. It may help to reduce the risks of preterm birth, cleft palate, heart irregularities, among others.
As per the Office of Dietary Supplements, all pregnant women must take 400 micrograms of Folic Acid on a daily basis in the form of supplements alongside their regular diet intake each day.
Folic acid is said to be an anti-depressant as well. People with lower levels of Folic Acid are seen to be more depressed in behavior. Folic Acid helps and comprehends depression medications to be more effective. Researchers even suggest that Folic Acid taken during early pregnancy could reduce autism in the baby. Diseases like Rheumatoid arthritis are supported by Folic Acid. A methotrexate prescription is an effective medication as Folic Acid supplements can help to reduce these side effects to 79% or more.
Amount of intake
Most people get enough Folic Acid from their diet, and yet for pregnant women, it’s crucial for early fetal development, and without it, there might be problems that would lead to spinal cord irregularities. So a pregnant lady should have 400–800 mcg of Folic Acid per day. Also, the patients with a history or genetic disease of spina bifida or neural tube irregularities should take 4,000 mcg per day. Breastfeeding ladies should take 500 mcg per day. Our body can absorb Folic Acid from supplements and its better if we try to consume it from organic food products rather than medicines. You can choose to consult a dietitian for your calory and Folic Acid intake as per your conditions and requirements.
Here is the demarcation of recommended intake amount of Folic Acid as per age:
- 0–6 months baby 65 mcg DFE
- 7–12 months baby 80 mcg DFE
- 1–3 years children 150 mcg DFE
- 4–8 years children 200 mcg DFE
- 9–13 years children 300 mcg DFE
- 14–18 years children 400 mcg DFE
- 19+ years adults 400 mcg DFE
Also, note that Folic Acid can interact with certain medications if taken in wrong doses so it’s always better to consult a doctor or dietitian and may not be safe for everyone to take. The health conditions where a patient must avoid or consult the doctor are epilepsy, diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, inflammatory bowel disease, celiac disease, and patients undergoing kidney dialysis.
Sources of Folic Acid:
Folic Acid is naturally present in dietary supplements and fortified foods which include bread, flours, cereals, and grains. It is also common to food that contains B-complex vitamins like beef liver, boiled spinach, black-eyed peas, asparagus, Brussels sprouts, lettuce, avocado, broccoli, mustard greens, green peas, kidney beans, canned tomato juice, Dungeness crab, orange juice, dry-roasted peanuts, fresh orange and grapefruit, papaya, banana, hard-boiled egg, cantaloupe and much more.
Why and when Folic Acid deficiency does occur?
Folic Acid deficiency occurs when there is not enough Folic Acid in the body causing a chronic situation of anemia called megaloblastic anemia. During pregnancy Folic Acid deficiency increases the risk of congenital irregularities like: weakness, fatigue, concentration trouble, headache, irritability, heart palpitations, sores on the tongue and inside the mouth, a change in color of the skin, hair, or fingernails, irritability, headache, heart palpitations, and shortness of breath etc. Some individuals with increased risk of Folic Acid deficiency consist of: people with alcohol use disorder, pregnant women, people of childbearing age, and people with conditions that affect nutrient absorption, including IBD and celiac disease and people with MTHFR polymorphism.
Common Side effects or issues of overeating folic acid:
There are no severe side effects as such if anybody has a very high folic acid intake. In few rare cases, people may report stomach pain or irregular bowel moments. If a person takes more Folic Acid, it is water-soluble so the additional amount will naturally get removed with urine.
Hope it answers all concerns related to Folic Acid and provides the right solutions for your problems. For any further questions feel free to reach us on our customer care number.