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DESCRIPTION
Considered a brain food, folic acid is needed for energy production and the formation of red blood cells. It also strengthens immunity by aiding in the proper formation and functioning of white blood cells. Because it functions as a coenzyme in DNA and RNA synthesis, it is important for healthy cell division and replication. It is involved in protein metabolism, and has been used in the prevention and treatment of folic acid anemia. This nutrient may also help depression and anxiety. It may be effective in the treatment of uterine cervical dysplasia.
Folic acid is very important in pregnancy. It helps to regulate embryonic and fetal nerve cell formation, which is vital for normal development. Studies have shown that a daily intake of 400 mcg of folic acid in early pregnancy may prevent the vast majority of neural tube defects such as spina bifida and anencephaly. It may also help to prevent premature birth. To be effective, this regimen must begin before conception and continue for at least the first three months of pregnancy; if a woman waits until she knows she is pregnant, it may be too late, because critical events in fetal development occur during the first six weeks of pregnancy - before most women know they have conceived. This is why many health care providers and midwives recommend that every woman of childbearing age take a folic acid supplement daily as a matter of course. Folic acid works best when combined with vitamin B-12 and vitamin C.
A sore, red tongue is one sign of folic acid deficiency. Other possible signs include anemia, apathy, digestive disturbances, fatigue, graying hair, growth impairment, insomnia, labored breathing, memory problems, paranoia, weakness, and birth defects in one's offspring. Folic acid deficiency may be caused by inadequate consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables; consumption of only cooked or microwaved vegetables (cooking destroys folic acid); and malabsorption problems.
GENERAL FOLIC ACID / FOLATE INFORMATION
Folic acid, also known as folate, is a B-vitamin (B-9) that can be found in some enriched foods and vitamin pills. If women have enough of it in their bodies before pregnancy, this vitamin can decrease the risk for neural tube defects (NTDs), which are birth defects of the baby's brain (anencephaly) or spine (spina bifida).
FOLIC ACID TO FIGHT AGAINST BIRTH DEFECTS
Folic acid in a vitamin supplement, when taken one month before conception and throughout the first trimester, has been proven to reduce the risk for an neural tube defect (NTD)-affected pregnancy by 50 to 70 percent. Folic acid is necessary for proper cell growth and development of the embryo. Although it is not known exactly how folic acid works to prevent NTDs, its role in tissue formation is essential. Folic acid is required for the production of DNA, which is necessary for the rapid cell growth needed to make fetal tissues and organs early in pregnancy. That is why it is important for a woman to have enough folic acid in her body both before and during pregnancy.
For many women, an easy way to be sure you are getting enough folic acid is to take a vitamin with folic acid in it. The U.S. Public Health Service recommends that all women who could possibly become pregnant get 400 micrograms(mcg) (or 0.4 mg) of folic acid every day. This could prevent up to 70 percent of some types of serious birth defects. To do this, women need folic acid at least one month before they get pregnant. That is why you should always get enough folic acid every day even if you are not thinking about a baby any time soon. Folic acid has been added to some foods, such as enriched breads, pastas, rice, and cereals. A few cereals have 100 percent of the folic acid you need.
No one expects an unplanned pregnancy. But they happen every day. In fact, about half of all pregnancies are not planned. That is why you should get enough folic acid every day if there is any chance you could get pregnant. Because by the time you know you are pregnant, your baby's brain and spine are already formed.
Neural tube defects (NTDs) occur between the 17th and 30th day after conception (or 4 to 6 weeks after the first day of a woman's last menstrual period), the neural tube forms in the embryo (developing baby) and then closes. The neural tube later becomes the baby's spinal cord, spine, brain, and skull. A neural tube defect (NTD) occurs when the neural tube fails to close properly, leaving the developing brain or spinal cord exposed to the amniotic fluid. The two most common neural tube defects are anencephaly and spina bifida.
FOLIC ACID USAGE INFORMATION
Folic acid has no known toxic level. If you were to eat a bowl of fully fortified cereal (400 micrograms), take a folic acid supplement (400 mcg), and eat fortified foods and foods rich in folate, women of reproductive age would not have a problem with too much folic acid. Even in very high amounts folic acid is non-toxic. Nevertheless, it is recommended that women consume no more than 1,000 micrograms of supplemental folic acid a day. Large amounts of folic acid may hide the ability to quickly diagnose a rare vitamin B-12 deficiency, pernicious anemia. This condition primarily affects the elderly population and, in some cases, can lead to neurological damage. Today, health care providers can use a simple test to check for a B-12 deficiency. Folic Acid is often supplemented with B-12 to insure this deficiency does not occur.
HEART & OTHER HEALTH BENEFITS TO TAKING FOLIC ACID
High levels of the amino acid homocysteine are independently associated with an increased risk of heart disease and stroke. It has been shown that taking folic acid lowers homocysteine levels in both men and women, but it is not yet known whether folic acid supplementation also lowers the risk of heart disease and stroke.
There are some indications that folic acid use may also reduce the risk for other birth defects, such as cleft lip and palate and certain congenital heart defects. Folic acid may also play a role in protecting against some forms of cancer and heart disease. More research is needed to understand the impact of folic acid in preventing those diseases and other birth defects.
FOOD SOURCES OF FOLIC ACID / FOLATE
FOOD SOURCE Micrograms (mcg)
(per 100 g of food-3.5 oz)Dark-Green Leafy Vegetables 120-160 Other Vegetables 40-100 Fruits (Particularly Citrus) 50-100 Beans (Legumes) 50-300 Whole Grains 60-120 Breakfast Cereals 100 or 400
FOLIC ACID / FOLATE RELATED SUPPLEMENTS & PRODUCTS
Herbal Remedies: Folic Acid (Vitamin B-9), 100% Natural, Nature's Way, 800 mcg, 100 Caps
Nature's Way Folic Acid is 100% natural and contains no artificial ingredients or preservatives. Folic acid (Vitamin B-9) is necessary precursor for the manufacture of genetic material like RNA and DNA. Folic acid also assists in the growth and repair of tissues and in the conversion of fats and amino acids into other useful products in the body.
Herbal Remedies: Vitamin B-12 Complex Liquid, NOW Foods, 2 fl. oz.
Vitamin B-12 Helps to maintain a healthy nervous system, and helps in the prevention of pernicious anemia. Folic Acid should be taken by all females of child bearing age to help prevent neuro-tube birth defects. Folic acid is also linked to heart health.
Herbal Remedies: Prenatal Multi-Vitamin & Mineral, 100% Natural, Complete, Nature's Way, 180 Caps
Nature's Way Woman's Prenatal Multivitamin and mineral supplement provides specially balanced prenatal vitamin and mineral potencies for pregnant women or postnatal lactating women.
Herbal Remedies: Folic Acid / Folate (Vitamin B-9) Supplements & Products
SOURCES
The following foods contain significant quantities of folic acid: barley, beef, bran, brewer's yeast, brown rice, cheese, chicken, dates, green leafy vegetables, lamb, legumes, lentils, liver, milk, mushrooms, oranges, split peas, pork, root vegetables, salmon, tuna, wheat germ, whole grains, and whole wheat.
COMMENTS
Oral contraceptives may increase the need for folic acid. Alcohol also can act as an enemy to folic acid absorption.
CAUTIONS
Do not take high doses of folic acid for extended periods if you have a hormone-related cancer or convulsive disorder.
FOLIC ACID / FOLATE RELATED SUPPLEMENTS & PRODUCTS
Herbal Remedies: Folic Acid (Vitamin B-9), 100% Natural, Nature's Way, 800 mcg, 100 Caps
Nature's Way Folic Acid is 100% natural and contains no artificial ingredients or preservatives. Folic acid (Vitamin B-9) is necessary precursor for the manufacture of genetic material like RNA and DNA. Folic acid also assists in the growth and repair of tissues and in the conversion of fats and amino acids into other useful products in the body.
Herbal Remedies: Vitamin B-12 Complex Liquid, NOW Foods, 2 fl. oz.
Vitamin B-12 Helps to maintain a healthy nervous system, and helps in the prevention of pernicious anemia. Folic Acid should be taken by all females of child bearing age to help prevent neuro-tube birth defects. Folic acid is also linked to heart health.
Herbal Remedies: Prenatal Multi-Vitamin & Mineral, 100% Natural, Complete, Nature's Way, 180 Caps
Nature's Way Woman's Prenatal Multivitamin and mineral supplement provides specially balanced prenatal vitamin and mineral potencies for pregnant women or postnatal lactating women.
Herbal Remedies: Folic Acid / Folate (Vitamin B-9) Supplements & Products
RELATED LINKS
MoonDragon's ObGyn Information: Anemia - Folic Acid Deficiency
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