What is Folate?
We all know Folate acid is one of the intake where doctors will ask all pregnant women to consume during pregnancy. However, do you know what it is and the benefits of consuming it?
Folate, forms of which are known as folic acid, folacin, and vitamin B9, is one of the B vitamins. The recommended daily intake of folate in the US is 400 micrograms from foods or dietary supplements. Folate in the form of folic acid is used to treat anemia caused by folic acid deficiency. Folic acid is also used as a supplement by women during pregnancy to prevent neural tube defects (NTD) in the baby. Low levels in early pregnancy are believed to be the cause of more than half of babies born with neural tube defects.More than 50 countries use fortification of certain foods with folic acid as a measure to decrease the rate of NTDs in the population.Long term supplementation is also associated with small reductions in the risk of stroke and cardiovascular disease. It may be taken by mouth or by injection.
There are no common side effects. It is not known whether high doses over a long period of time are of concern. There are concerns that large amounts of folic acid might hide vitamin B12 deficiency. Folic acid is essential for the body to make DNA, RNA, and metabolise amino acids which are required for cell division. As humans cannot make folic acid, it is required from the diet, making it an essential vitamin.
Not consuming enough folate can lead to folate deficiency. This may result in a type of anemia in which low numbers of large red blood cells occur.Symptoms may include feeling tired, heart palpitations, shortness of breath, open sores on the tongue and changes in the color of the skin or hair. Folate deficiency in children may develop within a month of poor dietary intake.In adults, normal total body folate is between 10,000–30,000 micrograms (µg) with blood levels of greater than 7 nmol/L (3 ng/mL).
It is on the World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines, the most effective and safe medicines needed in a health system.[The term "folic" is from the Latin word folium, which means leaf. Folates occur naturally in many foods, especially dark green leafy vegetables, liver, and lentils.
Stay tune on the benefits of Folate acid!
