Folic acid – why is it so important for the human body? Who should take folic acid? [WE EXPLAIN]

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Folic acid is one of the most necessary vitamins in the human body. Unfortunately, almost every person is more or less deficient in this vitamin. However, vitamin B9 deficiency is most dangerous for pregnant women as it can cause neural tube defects in the fetus. How to recognize a folic acid deficiency and what is its role in the body?

This ingredient is found in many plant and animal foods, including spinach, kale, broccoli, avocado, citrus, eggs, and beef liver. It is also added to food, mainly flour, ready-made breakfast cereals and bread.

Our body uses folic acid for many key functions, including:

1. synthesis, repair and methylation – adding a methyl group – DNA,
2. cell division,
3. converting homocysteine ​​to methionine, an amino acid used in protein synthesis or converted into S-adenosylmethionine (SAMe), a compound that acts as the main donor of the methyl group in the body and is essential for many cellular responses.
4. the production of red blood cells.

Folic acid is involved in many important metabolic processes, and deficiency leads to a number of negative health effects, including megaloblastic anemia, an increased risk of heart disease, certain cancers, and birth defects in infants whose mothers were deficient in folic acid during pregnancy.

Testing the level of folic acid and other parameters of great importance for pregnant women are available in the Pregnancy Testing – Blood Test Package. Buy this test package now with the option to collect a blood sample at a selected facility or at your own home.

At Medonet Market you can order dietary supplements with folic acid, e.g .:

1. M-Folin folic acid SOLHERBS,
2. Folic acid 400 mcg Puritan’s Pride,
3. Blonde proFemina SOLHERBS,
4. Folic acid 400ug + DHA Viridian,
5. N ° 1 Complex B – a comprehensive set of B vitamins.

Interestingly, the role of folic acid is not only limited to the creation and support of cell maturation, but also the appropriate level of folic acid in the body protects us from anemia.

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Moreover, folic acid affects the level of homocysteine, an amino acid that is responsible for our overall health. It must be kept at a low and medium level so that the physiological processes of the cells are not disturbed. You should also know that with an increased level of homocysteine, heart disease, heart attacks or strokes can occur much more often than with low and medium levels. Therefore, it can be said that the role of folic acid is also the regulation of the whole organism so that it functions properly and does not harm itself.

Folic acid is one of the substances included in the supplement XeniVIT Vitamin B Complex Premium Xenico. It is a set of B vitamins that are essential for the proper functioning of the body. You can buy the supplement on Medonet Market in packages containing 90 vegan capsules.

Also check: What Happens at Week 24 of Pregnancy?

Supplements with folates can also be given to children. Before starting vitamin B9, it is worth taking blood tests and consulting a doctor who will select the appropriate dose.

Folic acid and the proper functioning of the brain

Low blood levels of folate are associated with decreased brain function and an increased risk of dementia. Even normal, but low levels of folate are associated with an increased risk of cognitive decline in the elderly. Some studies have found that folate supplements can improve brain function in people with mental retardation and help treat Alzheimer’s disease.

A 2019 study of 180 adults with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) found that supplementation with 400 mcg (micrograms) of folic acid taken daily for 2 years significantly improved overall brain function.

Another study involving 121 people with newly diagnosed Alzheimer’s disease treated with donepezil found that people who took 1250 mcg of folic acid per day for 6 months had improved cognitive function and reduced markers of inflammation compared with those who took donepezil himself.

Also check: Diet in Alzheimer’s disease

Folic acid and heart disease

The use of folic acid may have a positive effect on the work of the heart and may contribute to reducing the risk of developing various diseases of this organ.

Folic acid plays a major role in the metabolism of homocysteine, its low levels can contribute to the high levels of homocysteine ​​known as hyperhomocysteinemia. Studies have shown that supplementation with folic acid can reduce homocysteine ​​levels and, consequently, the risk of heart disease.

An overview of 30 studies and over 80 studies people showed that supplementation with folic acid led to 4 percent. reduce the overall risk of heart disease and 10 percent. reduce the risk of stroke.

In addition, folate supplements can help lower high blood pressure, which is a significant risk factor for heart disease. Additionally, folate supplements have been shown to improve blood flow, which can help improve cardiovascular function.

Folic acid – other health benefits

Supplementing with folate also has the following health benefits:

1. Diabetes – Folic acid supplements can help improve blood sugar control, reduce insulin resistance, and improve cardiovascular function in people with diabetes. These supplements can also help reduce diabetic complications, including neuropathy.
2. Fertility – A higher intake of additional folic acid (over 800 mcg per day) is associated with a higher percentage of live births in women undergoing assisted reproductive technology. Adequate folic acid is also essential for the quality of the oocytes (ovum), implantation and maturation of the ovum.
3. inflammation – supplementation with folic acid reduces inflammatory markers, including C-reactive proteins (CRP), in various populations, including women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and children with epilepsy,
4. Reducing drug side effects – Folic acid supplements can help reduce the incidence of side effects from some medications, including methotrexate, an immunosuppressive drug used to treat rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, and some cancers.

Also read: Folic acid can reduce the frequency of migraines

Supplementation with folic acid before and during pregnancy significantly reduces the risk of neural tube defects, including spina bifida (this condition occurs when the unborn child’s spine does not close completely during development in the womb, leaving the spinal cord exposed.

As a result, the nerves that control the legs and other organs fail. Children with spina bifida often have lifelong disabilities and anencephaly. In addition to being protective against birth defects, supplementation with folic acid during pregnancy can improve neurological development and brain function in a childand also protects against autism spectrum disorders.

Folic acid is also important for maternal health, and its supplementation reduces the risk of complications related to pregnancy, including pre-eclampsia. In addition, high maternal folate levels are associated with a significantly reduced risk of preterm labor.

Considering the importance of folic acid to maternal and fetal health, and the difficulties many women have in supplementing their optimal acid intake through their diet, it is recommended that all women planning pregnancy supplemented daily 400-800 mcg of folic acid, starting at least 1 month before pregnancy and continuing for the first 2-3 months of pregnancy.

While folate supplements are most important in the first few months of pregnancy, some studies show that continuing to take folic acid throughout pregnancy can help increase levels of folate in both your blood and the umbilical cord. It also prevents the rise in homocysteine ​​levels, which usually occurs in late pregnancy.

For the proper development of pregnancy, as well as in preparation for it, it is worth supplementing with Fertility for women Viridian. The preparation provides the body with the necessary vitamins and minerals. If you want to make sure that you do not suffer from folic acid malabsorption or other genetic conditions that are unfavorable during pregnancy, you can perform mail-order genetic tests for pregnant women and those planning a baby.

Symptoms and effects of folic acid deficiency

There must be neither too little nor too much minerals in the body for it to function efficiently. Especially folic acid deficiency is very harmful because it can lead to degenerative disorders, osteoporosis, cardiovascular diseases and anemia.

Folic acid deficiency is especially harmful in pregnant women as it increases the risk of neural tube defects in the fetus. That is why women trying to conceive and pregnant always receive dietary supplements with folic acid from their doctor. Prophylaxis with folic acid at a dose of 0,4 micrograms is recommended 3 months before the planned pregnancy and in the 1st month of pregnancy.

It is worth mentioning that excess folic acid can mask vitamin B12 deficiency, which in turn can contribute to the destruction of the nervous system. Supplement the level of B vitamins by using Vitamin B Complex Health Labs – a complex of B vitamins.

Folic acid and vitamin B12 deficiency

A high intake of folic acid can mask a vitamin B12 deficiency. The human body uses vitamin B12 to produce red blood cells and to ensure optimal functioning of the heart, brain and nervous system.

If left untreated, a deficiency of this nutrient can reduce the brain’s ability to function properly and lead to permanent nerve damage. This damage is usually irreversible. The human body uses folic acid and vitamin B12 in a very similar way, which means that a deficiency of one of them can cause similar symptoms.

Some studies indicate that folate supplements can mask vitamin B12-induced megaloblastic anemia, which may result in a vitamin B12 deficiency going undetected. Therefore, people experiencing symptoms such as weakness, fatigue, difficulty concentrating, and shortness of breath should have their vitamin B12 levels checked.

See: Vitamin B can help prevent brain atrophy

Folic acid deficiency anemia

Folic acid deficiency anemia occurs when the body does not get enough folate. Folic acid is one of the B vitamins and helps your body create new cells, including new red blood cells.

The human body needs red blood cells to carry oxygen. If there are too few of them, anemia develops, which leads to fatigue and weakness.

Symptoms of folate deficiency anemia:

1. weakness,
2. tiredness,
3. apathy
4. problems with sleeping,
5. loss of appetite
6. problems with concentration and focus,
7. problems with memory.

What causes folate deficiency anemia?

1. not consuming the right amount of folic acid-containing products (citrus fruits, leafy green vegetables and fortified grains),
2. greater need for folic acid (e.g. pregnancy, sickle cell anemia),
3. a situation where your body does not absorb enough folic acid. This happens when you smoke, drink a lot of alcohol, and you have kidney disease,
4. the use of certain medications, such as drugs used to treat certain types of cancer, rheumatoid arthritis and seizures.

Natural sources of folic acid

Most of all, dark green vegetables, legume seeds, fruit and whole grain products are rich in folic acid. But The best sources of folate are raw vegetables or low-processed foodsbecause high temperature or long shelf life of the product make vitamin B9 disappear from food. This vitamin must be supplied regularly, because our body does not store it for long.

Folic acid – side effects and safety of use

If taken by mouth: folic acid is possibly safe for most people when taken by mouth. Most adults do not experience any side effects when used in doses less than 1 mg per day.

Folic acid is possibly safe when taken orally in high doses for long periods of time. Although doses up to 5 mg per day have been safely used in some studies, doses of folic acid greater than 1 mg per day can cause abdominal cramps, diarrhea, rash, sleep disturbances, irritability, confusion, nausea, stomach upset, behavioral changes, skin reactions, seizures, gas, excitability, and other side effects.

There is also a concern that taking too much folic acid for a long time could cause serious side effects. Some research suggests that taking folic acid in doses ranging from 800 mcg to 1,2 mg per day may increase the risk of a heart attack in people who have heart problems. Other research suggests that taking these high doses may also increase the risk of cancer such as lung or prostate cancer.

Given as an injection: folic acid is rather safe for most people when injected into the body. Most adults do not experience any side effects when used in doses less than 1 mg per day.