Chances are you take supplements for vitamin A, C, and E, but what about folic acid? If you do not eat lots of green vegetables, liver or yeast beer, then chances are that you do not get enough of this important vitamin. Folic acid, otherwise known as vitamin B9 is essential to the production of cells and plays an important role in fetal development. In fact, studies have shown that supplementation with folic acid may reduce birth defects by 72% to 100%! Folic acid also plays a role in the metabolism of protein and amino acid formation. This vitamin has also been shown to help with mental health, and digestive and nervous systems. Because most foods other than the liver is a poor source of folic acid, you may have a deficiency unless you happen to eat quite a bit of liver and green vegetables. Signs of deficiency include shortness of breath inflamed tongue, loss of appetite, forgetfulness and mental lethargy. It also can be a sign of other problems and it is best to seek advice from your doctor if you have these symptoms. In addition to your diet, there are forms and lifestyles that may deplete your body or block the absorption of B vitamins like folic acid. Celiac disease, alcoholism and irritable bowel syndrome are three things that can contribute to the shortage. Folate may also play a role in depression as a study in eldery people have shown. Third vitamin B6, B12 and B9 should work together to improve depression and should be taken in supplements or multi-given by a physician. This vitamin reduces the amount of homocysteine in your body. Homocysteine is thought to play a role in causing depression. Several studies have also shown that high levels of folic acid in addition to beta carotene, vitamin C and fiber, may reduce the risk of some cancers. One study of 50,000 women claimed to have demonstrated that consuming adequate amounts of folate reduces the risk of breast cancer. In addition, deficiency of folate (folic acid) has also been linked to heart disease and male infertility. The minimum USRDA for folic acid is 400 micrograms per day for men and women. Remember that this is the minimum that you need to survive and supplements usually contain more than this amount. In addition to the liver, dark green vegetables, brewer's yeast and folic acid can be found in some seafood, milk and orange juice. In small amounts you can find folic acid in grains and some root vegetables. When you take a folic acid supplement (or supplements for that matter), it is important not to overdo it. Adverse side effects of folic acid supplements are rare, but can occur if the dose exceeds 15 000 mcg. It is interesting to not that since B vitamins work together, taking one of the course alone can cause a deficiency in another. If you think you need to take folic acid supplements to talk health care professional to see if it is right for you. Some medications such as antibiotics and warfarin may react negatively to supplementation with folic acid and ibuprofen and aspirin can cause shortages. Methotrexate, which is used to treat some types of cancer and rheumatoid arthritis increase the body's need for folic acid, adding this to the list of vitamin supplements you can greatly reduce its side effects while maintaining effectiveness, so if you have to take this medicine, make sure you see a health professional about adding folic acid to your diet.
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