Folic Acid

Vitamin B9

 Food Sources of Folic Acid:

Liver, kidneys, eggs, brewer's yeast, green leafy vegetables, beans, lentils, wheat ger and whole grains.

Functions of Folic Acid:

Folic acid is important to maintain healthy brain function. Because of the link between folate deficiency and defective closure of the neural tube, pregnant women are now given advice on folate supplementation during their pregnancy in order to prevent, spina bifida and anencephaly. Folic acid stimulates the production of hydrochloric acid, maturation of red blood cells, synthesis of nor-adrenalin, serotonin, choline,  is involved in energy production,  is a key element in the enzyme that makes DNA duplication possible, and is involved in the metabolism of tyrosine and histidine.

Deficiency symptoms of Folic Acid:

As with all vitamins, an unbalanced diet will produce deficiencies, and in the case of folic acid a lack of fresh green leafy vegetables and the inclusion of some of the above food sources is all that is needed to insure an adequate supply of folic acid. Signs of deficiences include, mental apathy, inmpaired memory, loss of libido, anemia,tongue inflammation, poor growth, graying hair, irritability, neurological changes, mental illness, insomnia, weakness and birth defects.

Factors increasing the demand for Folic Acid:

Pregnancy, lactation, premature births, coeliac disease, ageing, retardation, mental illness, alcoholism, and anemia.

Loss of Folic Acid:

While folic acid is readily available in a number of foods,  much of it can be lost in cooking, storage, exposure to heat, light and acid. A fresh salad of green leaves without the addition of lemon juice or vinegar would provide a reliable source for folic acid.

Therapeutic uses of Folic Acid:

Pregnancy, premature births, miscarriages, atherosclerosis, gout, dropsy, anemia, sprue, stomach ulcers,  Crohn's disease, genetic abnormalities, lung cancer, ulcerative colitis, senile dementia,  rheumatoid arthritis, menstrual problems, zinc deficiency, aphthous stomatitis, Down's syndrome, and  stress.

Drugs affecting Folic Acid:

Sulfa drugs, amnioperin, streptomycin, oral contraceptives, anticonvulsants, asprin, methotrexate, alcohol, estrogens, and pyrimethamine.

Dosage and toxicity of Folic Acid:

RDA 400 micrograms for adults, 800 mcgs during pregnancy, and 600mcgs during lactation. High doses of Folic acid may mask a vitamin B12 deficiency,  high doses of folic acid should be taken with vitamin B12.

Read more:Choline