FOLIC ACID AND ITS IMPORTANCE IN THE HUMAN BODY

What is Folic Acid?

Folic acid and folate are two names that are sometimes used interchangeably. The names folic acid and folate both refer to a kind of B vitamin (vitamin B9). Folate is a B vitamin that is usually found in a variety of foods, including green leafy vegetables, citrus fruits, and legumes. Folic acid is a synthetic (man-made) form of folate. It can be found in supplements and foods that have been fortified. 

Folic acid dissolves in water. Excessive levels of the vitamin are excreted in the urine. This signifies that folic acid is not stored in your body. You must consume the vitamin on a regular basis, either through diet or supplementation.

Why is Folic Acid Important?

Folate is required for a variety of bodily processes. It, for example, aids the body in the production of healthy new red blood cells. The oxygen-carrying red blood cells transport oxygen throughout the body. Anemia can be a common occurrence if the body does not produce enough of these, resulting in weariness, weakness, and a pale complexion. A person can get folate deficiency anemia if they don’t get enough folate in their diet. Folate is also required for cell division and is required for the production and repair of DNA and other genetic material.

Folic acid is used to prevent and treat low folate levels in the blood (folate deficiency) and excessive homocysteine levels in the blood (hyperhomocysteinemia). It is also is used by pregnant or potentially pregnant women to avoid significant birth and getting adequate folate is especially crucial during pregnancy. A lack of folate during pregnancy can cause neural tube abnormalities such spina bifida and anencephaly.

 Folic acid is also used to treat a variety of other disorders, including depression, stroke, memory loss, and cognitive decline.

Supplementing with folic acid may also assist with the following conditions:

Diabetes. Folate supplements may help diabetics regulate their blood sugar levels and prevent insulin resistance. If your folate levels are low due to the diabetic medicine metformin, you may require a supplement. However, these supplements are meant to be take after consultation with a doctor.

Inflammation is involved in a variety of disorders. Folic acid and folate supplementation have been demonstrated to lower inflammatory indicators like C-reactive protein.

Kidney disease: It is a condition that affects many people. The kidneys remove waste from the blood, but when they are injured, it can lead accumulation of homocysteine. Homocysteine levels in the blood are abnormally high in 85 % of persons with chronic renal disease. In those with renal illness, folic acid supplementation may help lower homocysteine levels and minimize the risk of heart disease.

Do I have Folic Acid Deficiency?

weakness 

fatigue

unable to concentrate

headache 

irritability

palpitations in the heart

a change in the color of the skin, hair, or fingernails

 sores on the tongue and within the mouth

 shortness of breath 

are some of the symptoms you may experience if you’ve been suffering from a folic acid deficiency.

What happens if I don’t get adequate Folic Acid?

Folate deficiency may cause:

• Diarrhea
• Gray hair
• Mouth ulcers
• Peptic ulcer
• Poor growth of hair and nails
• Swollen tongue (glossitis)
• Megaloblastic anemia
• Reduced Sense of taste
• Mental fog
• Numbness in limbs
• Muscle Weakness

Where can I get Folic Acid from?

 The various natural food resource one can eat to counter the folic acid deficiency include:

• 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

Over the counter supplements also help to eradicate these deficiencies in a healthier way. Fammedi Healthcare Gummies are rich in folic acid and can also be considered for the same.