Folic acid is a water-soluble, synthetic vitamin that is used in fortified foods and supplements. It is a synthetic version of a naturally occurring Vitamin B, folate, present in numerous foods. Your body is not able to produce folate, so it should be obtained through nutritional consumption.
Folate is present in different plants and foods such as beef liver, eggs, citrus fruits, avocado, broccoli, kale, and spinach.
The RDA for folic acid is 500 mcg DFE for breastfeeding women, 600 mcg DFE for pregnant women, and 400 mcg DFE per day for adults. Daily intake under 1,000 mcg is considered to be safe for adults.
Let us take a look at the benefits of folic acid:
One of the most common uses of folate supplements and folic acid is preventing pregnancy complications and congenital disabilities, precisely neural tube defects, including anencephaly and spina bifida. Pregnant women can take a limited quantity of folic acid supplements to avoid fetal birth defects.
Both folate supplements and folic acid can be used to treat deficiency of folate. This kind of deficiency occurs due to several reasons such as malabsorptive diseases, alcoholism, pregnancy, surgery, and inadequate dietary intake. Deficiency can cause serious side effects like depression, impaired immune function, mental impairment, congenital disabilities, and megaloblastic anemia.
Certain medications can cause side effects. Folate-based supplements might be able to lower the chances of developing those side effects.
An increased risk of dementia along with poor brain function is associated with low levels of folate. With folic acid supplements, people can expect to improve their brain function, especially if they have Alzheimer’s and other mental issues. A daily intake of 400 mcg of folic acid can significantly enhance the brain function of adults with mild cognitive impairment, including verbal IQ.
Kidney disease is getting common across the world. Folic acid supplements can reduce homocysteine levels which are responsible for chronic kidney disease.
Depressed people have lower blood levels of folate than people who don’t suffer from depression. Folate supplements and folic acid can reduce depressive symptoms when they are taken with antidepressant medications. Moreover, antipsychotic medication and folate supplements can reduce the negative symptoms in people who have schizophrenia.
Folate supplements and folic acid can also lower inflammatory markers, like C-reactive protein (CRP) in children with epilepsy and women with polycystic ovary syndrome.
People who take adequate amounts of folic acid or folate supplements might be able to reduce the risk of developing heart disease. Folic acid can lower homocysteine levels which are linked with heart disease. Moreover, such supplements can also help reduce high blood pressure, which is a major cause of heart problems.
People with diabetes can consume folic acid supplements to enhance cardiovascular function, reduce insulin resistance, and improve blood sugar control.
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Until Next Time,
Team Doctor ASKY!