Folic acid, also known as vitamin B9 or folate, is a very important nutrient for the body. This vitamin works to accelerate the metabolic activity and assist the function of other essential nutrients. Without folic acid, the body will be easily attacked by various diseases, ranging from depression, anxiety, fatigue, insomnia, difficulty remembering, red tongue and wound up indigestion.
All B vitamins, including folic acid (vitamin B9), help the body convert food (carbohydrates) into fuel (glucose), which is used to produce energy. These B vitamins, often referred to as B complex vitamins, also help the body use fats and protein. B complex vitamins are needed for healthy skin, hair, eyes, and liver. They also help the nervous system function properly. Folic acid is the synthetic form of B9, found in supplements and fortified foods, while folate occurs naturally in foods.
Since 1998, folic acid has been added to cold cereals, flour, breads, pasta, bakery items, cookies, and crackers, as required by federal law. Foods that are naturally high in folic acid include leafy vegetables (such as spinach, broccoli, and lettuce), okra, asparagus, fruits (such as bananas, melons, and lemons) beans, yeast, mushrooms, meat (such as beef liver and kidney), orange juice, and tomato juice.
All the B vitamins are water-soluble, meaning that the body does not store them. Water-soluble vitamins dissolve in water. Leftover amounts of the vitamin leave the body through the urine. That means you need a continuous supply of such vitamins in your diet.
Folic acid is crucial for proper brain function and plays an important role in mental and emotional health. It aids in the production of DNA and RNA, the body's genetic material, and is especially important when cells and tissues are growing rapidly, such as in infancy, adolescence, and pregnancy. Folic acid also works closely with vitamin B12 to help make red blood cells and help iron work properly in the body.
Vitamin B9 works with vitamins B6 and B12 and other nutrients to control blood levels of the amino acid homocysteine. High levels of homocysteine are associated with heart disease. However, researchers aren't sure whether homocysteine is a cause of heart disease or just a marker that indicates someone may have heart disease.
It's fairly common to have low levels of folic acid. Alcoholism, inflammatory bowel disease, and celiac disease can cause folic acid deficiency. Also, certain medications may lower levels of folic acid in the body. Folic acid deficiency can cause poor growth, tongue inflammation, gingivitis, loss of appetite, shortness of breath, diarrhea, irritability, forgetfulness, and mental sluggishness.
Pregnant women need more folic acid to lower the risk of neural tube birth defects, including cleft palate, spina bifida, and brain damage. Neural tube defects are birth defects caused by abnormal development of the neural tube, a structure that eventually gives rise to the brain and spinal cord. Since folic acid has been added to many grain foods in the U.S., such as bread and cereal, neural tube defects have decreased dramatically.
Folic acid is used for preventing and treating low blood levels of folic acid (folic acid deficiency), as well as its complications, including "tired blood" (anemia) and the inability of the bowel to absorb nutrients properly. Folic acid is also used for other conditions commonly associated with folic acid deficiency, including ulcerative colitis, liver disease, alcoholism, and kidney dialysis.
Women who are pregnant or might become pregnant take folic acid to prevent miscarriage and "neural tube defects," birth defects such as spina bifida that occur when the fetus's spine and back don't close during development.
Some people use folic acid to prevent colon cancer or cervical cancer. It is also used to prevent heart disease and stroke, as well as to reduce blood levels of a chemical called homocysteine. High homocysteine levels might be a risk for heart disease.
Folic acid is used for memory loss, Alzheimer's disease, age-related hearing loss, preventing the eye disease age-related macular degeneration (AMD), reducing signs of aging, weak bones (osteoporosis), jumpy legs (restless leg syndrome), sleep problems, depression, nerve pain, muscle pain, AIDS, a skin disease called vitiligo, and an inherited disease called Fragile-X syndrome. It is also used for reducing harmful side effects of treatment with the medications lometrexol and methotrexate.
Some people apply folic acid directly to the gum for treating gum infections.
Folic acid is often used in combination with other B vitamins.
Folic acid works by increasing the production of white blood cells, the main defense of the body. Folic acid deficiency will trigger an outgrowth of the shrinking thymus gland and lymph nodes thus reducing the production of white blood cells. To maintain the immune system, you are advised to consume 800 mcg of folate per day is accompanied by the consumption of folate-rich foods such as salmon, whole grains, and bits.
DNA is an important element in the process of creating and maintaining human life. These molecules regulate everything in your body, from ear to form an intellectual ability, behavior and personality. In addition, the body's ability to fight disease is also dependent on DNA. And folic acid plays a major role in this genetic process. To establish the exact genetic, it is necessary that adequate folic acid intake.
Every year, thousands of children become victims of NTDs due to folic acid-deficient mothers, especially, in the first three months of pregnancy. This number decreased in women who consume folic acid or multivitamins containing folic acid before conception and through the first few months of pregnancy. Therefore, women of childbearing age are encouraged to take 400-800 mcg of folic acid every day along with the consumption of foods rich in folate, since many neural tube defects can happen shortly after conception, before a woman even knows she is pregnant. Prenatal vitamins contain the needed amount of folic acid for pregnant women.
Studies show that women who take folic acid supplements before conception and during the first trimester may reduce their risk of having children with neural tube defects by 72 – 100%. Folic acid may also help prevent miscarriage, although the evidence isn't clear.
Numerous scientific studies stating that low folate intake or low folate levels in the blood can trigger the development of coronary heart disease. Many studies linking low levels of folic acid with elevated levels of homocysteine. Homocysteine is expressed as a major risk factor for heart disease that can damage the lining of the artery wall. The good news, this can be prevented by controlling the intake of folic acid. Expand your folic acid intake by eating foods such as peas, green vegetables, citrus fruits, breads and cereals are fortified with folate.
Also, many studies suggest that people with high levels of the amino acid homocysteine are roughly 1.7 times more likely to develop coronary artery disease and 2.5 times more likely to have a stroke than those with normal levels. B complex vitamins -- especially vitamins B9, B6, and B12 -- help lower homocysteine levels.
For most people who are concerned about heart disease, the goal should be getting enough B vitamins from healthy foods. In some cases, however, your doctor may recommend taking B vitamins to lower homocysteine levels. If you are worried about heart disease, ask your doctor whether taking a B vitamin supplement would be right for you.
Folic acid is a key brain chemical imbalance and nutritional functions of neurotransmitters regulating accuracy. In addition, folic acid also has a very strong effect on the brain by increasing levels of SAMe (S-adenosylmethionine), which works to increase levels of serotonin are soothing. To overcome clinical depression is recommended to consume 800 mcg daily.
Some studies show that 15 - 38% of people with depression have low folate levels in their bodies, and those with very low levels tend to be the most depressed. And one study found that people who did not get better when taking antidepressants had low levels of folic acid. One double-blind, placebo-controlled study found that taking 500 mcg of folic acid daily helped the antidepressant Prozac work better in women, but maybe not men.
One study suggests that folic acid supplements help slow the progression of age-related hearing loss in elderly people with high homocysteine levels and low folate in their diet. It isn't known whether healthy seniors would benefit.
One large study found that women who took 2,500 mcg of folic acid along with 500 mg of vitamin B6 and 1,000 mcg of cyanocobalamin (vitamin B12) daily reduced their risk of developing AMD, an eye disease that can cause loss of vision.
Folic acid in the diet seems to protect against the development of some forms of cancer, particularly cancer of the colon, as well as breast, cervical, pancreatic, and stomach. However, this evidence is based on population studies that show people who get enough folate in their diet have lower rates of these cancers. Researchers don't know exactly how folate might help prevent cancer. Some think that folic acid keeps DNA healthy and prevents mutations that can lead to cancer. There is no evidence that taking folic acid supplements helps prevent cancer. The best course of action is to make sure you eat a balanced diet with enough folate, which will help protect you against a number of diseases.
Low dietary intake of folate may increase the risk of developing breast cancer, particularly for women who drink alcohol. Regular use of alcohol -- more than 1 ½ to 2 glasses per day -- is associated with higher risk of breast cancer. One large study, involving over 50,000 women who were followed over time, suggests that adequate intake of folate may reduce the risk of breast cancer associated with alcohol.
A lack of folic acid (folate) is one cause of anaemia. The usual cause is not eating enough foods which contain folic acid. It is treated easily by taking folic acid tablets. Pregnant women should also take extra folic acid to help prevent spina bifida and other related problems in the baby.
Symptoms due to anaemia are caused by the reduced amount of oxygen in the body.
Common symptoms include: tiredness, lethargy, feeling faint, becoming easily breathless.
Less common symptoms include: headaches, palpitations, altered taste and ringing in the ears (tinnitus).
You may look pale.
Other symptoms may include numbness is your hands and feet. Some people may also have depression.
Not eating enough foods containing folic acid is the most common cause. This occurs most often in elderly people who do not eat well. Another group who often don't eat properly are people who are alcohol-dependent.
Pregnancy causes reserves of folic acid in your body to be used by the growing baby. You are at risk of becoming low in folic acid during the later stages of pregnancy, particularly if you do not eat well during pregnancy.
Some uncommon conditions of the gut may cause poor absorption of folic acid. For example, coeliac disease.
Some blood disorders can lead to a very high turnover of red blood cells. For example, sickle cell disease and thalassaemia. Normal amounts of folic acid in the diet may then not be enough, and supplements may need to be taken.
Some inflammatory conditions can lead to low folic acid levels - for example, severe Crohn's disease. This is less common though.
Some medicines interfere with folic acid. Therefore, you may need to take extra folic acid whilst taking certain medicines. For example, colestyramine, sulfasalazine, methotrexate and some anticonvulsant medicines used to treat epilepsy.
Treatment is easy and is by taking a tablet of folic acid each day. You need to take this until the anaemia is corrected and the folic acid stores in the body are built up (usually for about four months). You may need advice on diet to stay well and the tablets can be stopped if your diet improves. You may need to continue with treatment if a poor diet was not the cause of folic acid deficiency. For example, if you have sickle cell disease you may need a folic acid tablet each day indefinitely.
Rich sources of folate include spinach, dark leafy greens, asparagus, turnip, beets, and mustard greens, Brussels sprouts, lima beans, soybeans, beef liver, brewer's yeast, root vegetables, whole grains, wheat germ, bulgur wheat, kidney beans, white beans, lima beans, mung beans, salmon, orange juice, avocado, and milk. In addition, all grain and cereal products in the U.S. are fortified with folic acid.
Vitamin B9 is found in multivitamins, including children's chewable and liquid drops, and B complex vitamins, or is sold separately. It is a good idea to take folic acid as part of or along with a multivitamin because other B vitamins are needed for it to work. It is available in a variety of forms, including tablets, softgels, and lozenges.
In general side effects of the usual doses of folic acid are quite uncommon, but among the reported more common folic acid side effects are several gastrointestinal folic acid side effects including flatulence, nausea, loss of appetite and abdominal pain. Other folic acid side effects include dermatologic conditions including rash, skin redness called erythema, and itching. Other listed common folic acid side effects include alteration of sleep patterns, irritability and overactivity.
Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur when using Folic Acid: Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); pain, redness, or swelling at the injection site.
Folic acid is LIKELY SAFE for most people. Most adults do not experience any side effects when consuming the recommended amount each day, which is 400 mcg. At the recommended daily allowance, side effects from folic acid are rare. High doses of folic acid might cause abdominal cramps, diarrhea, rash, sleep disorders, irritability, confusion, nausea, stomach upset, behavior changes, skin reactions, seizures, gas, excitability, and other side effects.
Because of the potential for side effects and interactions with medications, you should take dietary supplements only under the supervision of a knowledgeable health care provider.
There is some concern that taking too much folic acid for a long period of time might cause serious side effects. Some research suggests that taking folic acid in doses of 800-1200 mcg might increase the risk of heart attack in people who have heart problems. Other research suggests that taking these high doses might also increase the risk of cancer such as lung or prostate cancer.
Talk to your doctor before taking more than 800 mcg of folic acid. Folic acid can hide the symptoms of an underlying vitamin B12 deficiency, which can cause permanent damage to the nervous system. Taking any one of the B vitamins for a long period of time can result in an imbalance of other important B vitamins. For this reason, you may want to take a B complex vitamin, which includes all the B vitamins.
People who are being treated for seizures or cancer should not take folic acid without talking to their doctors.
If you are currently being treated with any of the following medications, you should not use folic acid supplements without first talking to your health care provider.
Antibiotics, Tetracycline -- Folic acid should not be taken at the same time as the antibiotic tetracycline because it interferes with the absorption and effectiveness of this medication. Folic acid either alone or in combination with other B vitamins should be taken at different times from tetracycline. All vitamin B complex supplements act in this way and should be taken at different times from tetracycline.
Phenytoin (Dilantin) -- Phenytoin, an anti-seizure medication, may lower levels of folate in the body. However, folic acid may interfere with the way phenytoin works, raising the risk of seizures. Ask your doctor before taking folic acid supplements.
Pyrimethamine (Daraprim) -- Folic acid may make pyrimethamine, a drug used to prevent and treat malaria and to treat toxoplasmosis, less effective.
Chemotherapy medications -- Folic acid may raise the amounts of 5-fluorouracil and capecitabine (Xeloda) to dangerous levels in the body. If you are undergoing chemotherapy, ask your oncologist before taking any supplement or herb.
Drugs That Lower Levels of Folic Acid -- These drugs may interfere with the body's absorption of folate, and may mean you need to take a folic acid supplement. Talk to your doctor first.
Antacids
H2 blockers -- used to reduce stomach acid; include cimetidine (Tagamet), famotidine (Pepcid), ranitidine (Zantac)
Proton pump inhibitors -- used to reduce stomach acid; include someprazole (Nexium), lansoprazole (Prevacid), omeprazole (Prilosec), rabeprazole (Aciphex)
Bile acid sequestrants -- used to lower cholesterol; include colestipol (Colestid), cholestyramine (Questran), and colsevelam (Welchol)
Anti-seizure medications -- including phenobarbital, primidone (Mysoline), carbamazepine (Tegretol)
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) -- include ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) and naproxed (Aleve)
Sulfasalazine (Azulfidine) -- used to treat inflammatory bowel disease and rheumatoid arthritis
Triamterene (Dyrenium) -- a diuretic (water pill)
Cycloserine -- an antibiotic
Pyrimethamine (Daraprim) -- used to prevent and treat malaria and to treat toxoplasmosis
Trimethoprim -- an antibiotic used to treat urinary tract infections
When taken for long periods of time, these medications, as well as other anti-inflammatory medicines, can increase the body's need for folic acid.
Methotrexate -- Methotrexate, a medication used to treat cancer, rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and psoriasis, reduces the amount of folic acid in the body. If you take methotrexate for RA or psoriasis, your doctor may prescribe a higher dose of folic acid, which helps reduce the side effects of methotrexate. People taking methotrexate for cancer, however, should not take folic acid supplements unless their doctor tells them to. Folic acid may interfere with methotrexate's effects on cancer.
Most people (except pregnant women) should be able to get enough folic acid from their diet.
Check with a knowledgeable health care provider before taking folic acid supplements or giving them to a child.
The following doses have been studied in scientific research:
BY MOUTH:
For folic acid deficiency: the typical dose is 250-1000 mcg (micrograms) per day.
For preventing neural tube defects: at least 400 mcg of folic acid per day from supplements or fortified food should be taken by women capable of becoming pregnant and continued through the first month of pregnancy. Women with a history of previous pregnancy complicated by such neural tube defects usually take 4 mg per day beginning one month before and continuing for three months after conception.
For reducing colon cancer risk: 400 mcg per day.
For treating high levels of homocysteine in the blood:
0.5-5 mg (milligrams)/day has been used, although 0.8-1 mg/day is appears to be more effective.
In people with end-stage renal disease, high homocysteine levels may be more difficult to treat, and doses of 0.8-15 mg/day have been used. Other dosage plans such as 2.5-5 mg 3 times weekly have also been used. Doses higher than 15 mg daily do not seem to be more effective.
For improving the response to medications for depression: 200-500 mcg daily has been used.
For vitiligo: 5 mg is typically taken twice daily.
For reduction of toxicity associated with methotrexate therapy for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) or psoriasis: 1 mg/day is probably enough, but up to 5 mg/day may be used.
For preventing macular degeneration: folic acid 2.5 mg, vitamin B12 (cyanocobalamin) 1000 mcg, and vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) 50 mg daily.
The adequate intakes (AI) for infants are 65 mcg for infants 0-6 months and 80 mcg for infants 7-12 months of age. The recommended dietary allowances (RDAs) for folate in DFE, including both food folate and folic acid from fortified foods and supplements are: Children 1-3 years, 150 mcg; Children 4-8 years, 200 mcg; Children 9-13 years, 300 mcg; Adults over 13 years, 400 mcg; Pregnant women 600 mcg; and breast-feeding women, 500 mcg. The tolerable upper intake levels (UL) of folate are 300 mcg for children 1-3 years of age, 400 mcg for children 4-8 years, 600 mcg for children 9-13 years, 800 mcg for adolescents 14-18 years, and 1000 mcg for everyone over 18 years of age.
Amounts used in studies for heart disease range from 400 - 1,200 mcg. However, high levels of folate can hide a vitamin B12 deficiency, and should be taken only under a health care provider's supervision. If you are considering taking a folic acid supplement, ask your health care provider to help you determine the right dose for you.
The following reviews have been selected:
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Easy to Swallow, July 17, 2011
By
Vinya (Washington State)
I bought these because plus-sized women can often use "extra" folic acid during pregnancy, beyond what the average prenatal vitamin provides. I like that they're from a reputable company, but even more than that, I love their tiny size. I've had a bit of trouble with morning sickness and these don't exacerbate the problem AT ALL, going down easily and staying put! I highly recommend these supplements.
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12 of 12 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars probably the right dose, April 06, 2010
From Texas
Folate has been recommended to help in depression and may have a calming effect. There is a prescription form of Metafolin called Deplin which comes in 8 milligrams (or 8000 micrograms), but there is a disclaimer that Metafolin may aid in the growth of tumors/cancer, especially in the GI tract (which makes sense because Metafolin is used in DNA synthesis and rapidly dividing cells need to make DNA). Note it won't cause cancer, but it may aid in the growth/spread of a tumor if it is there. Also if you are going through cancer treatment, don't take folate supplements. Anyways, if you want to see if Metafolin may help your symptoms, this could be a good starting dose with less risk.
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent product., August 27, 2010
From Florida
I ordered these because I read somewhere that it can help with depression. Within the first two days I felt completely different. I immediately felt so happy and at peace with my self...something I haven't experienced in many years! I have taken many prescription medications for depression and none of them worked. It seems that I simply had a folic acid deficiency and I'm not crazy! I really recommend any female who is experiencing sadness or depression to try it. Also, the pills are really tiny and are easy to swallow.
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Good form of folate, June 08, 2010
From California
Most vendors sell only folic acid, a synthetic product. This is real folate. At 400 mcg I really don't expect miracles of healing. It is a good adjunct to other B vitamins. I also ordered the combo with the 800 mcg bottle that I have not used yet since my multivitamin has 800 mcg in it and is almost gone now.
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31 of 32 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent activated form most of us need, December 21, 2008
From Australia
Sixty percent of people are either heterozygous or homozygous for the MTHFR polymorphism, meaning regular folic acid is not only useless, but potentially harmful because it blocks absorption of the meagre amounts of methyl folate we receive. Methyl folate, as the activated form, completely bypasses this problem. Methyl folate is so important for methylation pathways, and a lack can contribute to depression, elevated homocysteine levels, CFS/ME, fibromyalgia, heart disease, fertility problems, and a host of other degenerative conditions. This product is so important, particularly since most supplements are full of folic acid which as I said above can cause more harm than good. Everyone should be taking this instead. Highly, highly recommended.
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7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Totally satisfied., January 03, 2009
From New Jersey
I was told by a neurologist that I had worked for about this product along with Methyl B and take them together. I found a significant difference and improvement in my overall being, ESPECIALLY poor sleep and bouts of depression and anxiety that I no longer have.
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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars The Best of the Best February, 23, 2011
By Frederick Davis From Utah
[The tablets] are so superior in my experience to any amount of folic acid or folinic acid that it was obvious the very first day. Lifelong angular cheilitis at the corner of my lips which is a mass of scar tissue now started healing immediately, the skin around my nails and finger and toe tips stopped peeling and was healthy pink skin and I started dreaming normally again for the first time in decades. Despite both methtylb12 and adenosylb12 and lot of other things helping, this kicked my tissue healing into high gear.
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