Folate and Folic Acid
Folate and Folic Acid
Folate and folic acid are forms of a water soluble B vitamin (B9). Folate occurs naturally in food, and folic acid is a synthetic folate form which is used for food fortification and in nutritional supplements. Folic acid plays an essential role in human growth and development, particularly in cell division, DNA synthesis and tissue formation. DNA cannot be produced without sufficient folic acid because it is essentially needed to make the critical base pairs for DNA molecules.
The Functions of Folic Acid
Folic acid is crucial for proper brain function and plays an important role in mental and emotional health. It also works closely with vitamin B12 to regulate the formation of red blood cells, for the production of haemoglobin (a compound in red blood cells that transports oxygen) and to help iron function properly in the body. It increases the appetite and stimulates the production of stomach acid for digestion and it aids in maintaining a healthy liver.
Folic acid helps protect the chromosomes, is needed for the utilization of sugar and amino acids, promotes healthy skin and helps protect against intestinal parasites and food poisoning. Folic acid helps to eliminate homocysteine, a blood toxin known to affect heart muscle and influence cholesterol deposits in the heart muscle. Additionally, folic acid may play an important role in prevention of certain cancers: lung, colon, and cervical.
Essential in Pregnancy
The demand for folic acid increases when human cell growth is very active, as in pregnancy and during breastfeeding. Folic acid is necessary for the proper differentiation and growth of cells and for the development of the foetus. Repeated studies have shown that women who take 400 micrograms (0.4 milligrams) daily prior to conception and during early pregnancy reduce the risk that their baby will be born with a serious neural tube defect (a birth defect involving incomplete development of the brain and spinal cord) by up to 70%.
The most common neural tube defects are spina bifida (an incomplete closure of the spinal cord and spinal column), anencephaly (severe underdevelopment of the brain), and encephalocele (when brain tissue protrudes out to the skin from an abnormal opening in the skull). All of these defects can occur during the first 28 days of pregnancy - usually before a woman even knows she's pregnant. That's why it's so important for all women of childbearing age to get enough folic acid — not just those who are planning to become pregnant.
Deficiency in Folic Acid
Folic acid deficiency is one of the most common nutritional deficiencies and has been observed in alcoholics, pregnant women, patients living in institutions e.g. nursing homes, people with absorption problems such as ulcerative colitis and people taking certain medications e.g., methotrexate. Deficiencies during pregnancy are associated with low birth weight and an increased incidence of neural tube defects in infants. Signs of folic acid deficiency are often subtle. In most cases a folic acid deficiency occurs without any symptoms.
In severe cases of folic acid deficiency signs and symptoms such as macrocytic anaemia, weakness, tiredness, irritability, forgetfulness, difficulty breathing, anorexia, diarrhoea, weight loss, headache, palpitations and inflammation of the tongue may occur. Deficiency also causes mood disorders and low levels may play a role in depression, possibly due to a reduction in neurotransmitter levels. People with ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease (both inflammatory bowel diseases) often have low levels of folic acid in their blood cells.
Natural Food Sources
Natural folates are found in dark green leafy vegetables (spinach, mustard greens, turnip greens, chard, arugula, bok choy, radicchio). Other good food sources of folic acid include asparagus, beetroot, broccoli, avocados, brussel sprouts, beans, chickpeas, soybeans, lentils, peas, turkey, savoy cabbage, wheat germ, liver and brewer's yeast.
Folic acid plays an essential role in the development and maintenance of basic human DNA, especially in pregnant women. If your diet is short on receiving enough of the correct vitamins and minerals, safeguard yourself with a high quality supplement form Nature’s Plus, especially if you are planning a pregnancy. Our unsurpassed Source of Life ULTRA PRENATAL® TABLETS includes 800 mcg of folate (100% DV for pregnant and lactating women), an exclusive formulation to nutritionally fortify and support both mother and child.
It contains active yoghurt cultures Lactobacillus acidophilus, Bifidobacterium bifidus, and B. longum, aiding in optimal digestive function. Fortified with 8 essential minerals and all essential vitamins, this fast acting, maximum potency supplement also supples which is imperative to reduce the risk of brain or spinal cord birth defects.
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