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Folic acid, also called folate or folacin, is a B vitamin (B6). Folic acid plays an important role in the growth and reproduction of all body cells and in the formation of healthy red and white blood cells. It is essential for protein metabolism. It helps to increase serotonin and norepinephrine, which are the chemical components of the nervous system in the brain.
Folic acid is also needed to keep homocysteine levels in blood under control. Excess homocysteine can increase the risk of heart disease, Alzheimer's disease, osteoporosis and strokes. Taking folic acid may also prevent some types of cancer.
Folic acid is a very important vitamin for women who are trying to conceive and for women who are in the early months of the pregnancy. It helps to protect the unborn baby against birth defects of the spine and brain. In order to be effective in preventing birth defects such as anencephaly and spina bifida, women should start taking a multivitamin with 400 micrograms of folic acid everyday, at least three months before conception.
It is important to take folic acid before and early in the pregnancy when the neural tube of the baby is developing. Neural tube develops into the spinal cord and brain in the first four weeks of pregnancy. Neural tube defects occur when the spinal cord does not close completely during the first weeks of a baby's development. If the top opening of the spinal cord does not close completely, the baby may be born without a brain (anencephaly) and the infant dies shortly after birth. If the bottom opening does not close properly, the baby may have a defect in the spinal column (spina bifida) that can lead to paralysis and mental retardation. These defects can be prevented by adequate intake of folic acid.
Many pregnancies are unplanned, so it is important for all women of childbearing age to get enough folic acid. Waiting until the pregnancy has occurred to take this supplement may be too late to avoid a serious neural tube defect in the fetus.
Folic acid deficiency is very common around the world. The primary reason for this deficiency is a poor diet. Some symptoms of iron deficiency are depression, poor memory, anemia, sore red tongue, digestive problems, sleeping difficulties, premature graying of hair, fatigue, weakness, low white blood cell count, lowered resistance to infection, increased risk of certain birth defects, miscarriage and premature births. Women taking birth control pills, elderly people, alcoholics, long term antibiotic patients are at a greater risk for folic acid deficiency.
Foods that contain a significant amount of folic acid are liver, lentils, leafy green vegetables such as spinach, asparagus and broccoli, fortified breakfast cereals, dried beans, oranges, whole wheat products, eggs, papaya, cheese, milk, salmon, pasta, bread, peanuts, yeast and corn. Cooking these foods at high heat will reduce their nutritional value. Folic acid is more effective when it is taken with vitamin B12 and vitamin C.
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