    |
"Folic Acid - Insure Your Baby's Health" Folic Acid is the name given to the man-made vitamin made from the naturally occurring vitamin called Folate. Sometimes the terms are used interchangeably. Folate is found in leafy green vegetables such as spinach and turnip greens, citrus fruits, and dried beans and peas. It helps the body to produce normal red blood cells. Also, in conjunction with Vitamin B12 and Vitamin C, it helps the body to break down, use, and create new proteins. Google News reports on a story from Reuters that men who took Folic acid and ate lots of folate-rich foods, had higher levels of normal, healthy sperm. It is also useful for expectant mothers, providing protection from a variety of birth defects for her unborn child. Pregnant women are at higher risk of their children developing Spina Bifida if they are lacking in this essential nutrient. This condition is characterized by incomplete closure of the neural tube in the baby resulting in an incompletely formed spinal cord. Women planning to conceive should begin taking this vitamin before becoming pregnant, as it may be ineffective after conception. Vitamin B9, as it is also called, along with other 'B' vitamins, can also reduce levels of Homocysteine in the body. Homocysteine blood levels, in recent years, have been linked to increased risk of Coronary Artery Disease, Atherosclerosis, Stroke, and Blood Clots. Daily supplementation with this vitamin can help reduce levels of Homocysteine in the body thereby reducing the risk of developing Cardiac Disease. It is also useful in the treatment of Depression/a>. 'B' vitamins work to treat depression by improving the function of neurotransmitters. They work by allowing the brain to produce more of a compound called SAM-e. SAM-e is the chemical that boosts production of the 'feel-good' chemical Serotonin. It may also be helpful in the treatment of Vitamin B9 deficiency, Leg Ulcers and certain Menstrual problems. Low blood levels of Folate have been associated with certain types of Cancer, including Colorectal Cancer. It is not clear whether taking large amounts of this vitamin can reduce the risk of developing Cancer. A Folate deficiency can lead to Megaloblastic Anemia. With this type of anemia, the red blood cells are larger than normal and the ratio of the cell nucleus to the cell cytoplasm is increased. The cytoplasm refers to the area of the cell surrounding the nucleus. Folate Supplementation is also useful in those patients treated with long-term, low dose Methotrexate for Rheumatoid Arthritis. This vitamin should not be taken to treat undiagnosed anemia. It may hide the symptoms of Pernicious Anemia, leading to permanent neurological damage. Treatment of anemia with Folate therapy may also require vitamin B12. In the United States, the recommended daily allowance for Folic Acid is 400 micrograms per day for adolescents and adults. For pregnant women, it is 800 micrograms. Vitamin B9 interacts with some epilepsy medications. 
|
