Folic acid, also called vitamin B9, is an essential vitamin and mineral that helps the body carry out a wide variety of vital processes. It’s crucial for things like cellular renewal, DNA synthesis, and keeping unborn children healthy. Folic acid is abundant in the diet and can be found in foods including leafy greens, beans, fruits, and fortified cereals. Folic acid is recommended for everyone, however some people may need to take supplements more frequently. Who these folks are and why they require folic acid supplements will be covered in this article.....CONTINUE READING THE ARTICLE FROM THE SOURCE
Women who are expecting:
WebMD advises pregnant women to take extra folic acid to reduce the risk of neural tube abnormalities. Pregnant women should take in 600 micrograms (mcg) daily, twice the amount recommended for healthy adults. Neural tube disorders in the fetus, such as spina bifida, can cause serious physical and developmental issues and can be prevented by taking folic acid supplements before and during pregnancy.
Females of reproductive age:
Folic acid supplements are recommended for all women of reproductive age, but especially those who are attempting to conceive. Women who are pregnant or trying to get pregnant should take 400 to 800 mcg of folic acid daily to prevent neural tube abnormalities in their children. Due to the high risk of neural tube abnormalities in the first trimester of pregnancy, it is recommended that women begin taking folic acid supplements before conceiving.
Patients having the following conditions:
Supplemental folic acid may be necessary for people with certain medical disorders. Those with celiac disease, inflammatory bowel disease, or Crohn’s disease, to name a few malabsorption problems, may not be able to get enough folic acid from diet alone. In a similar vein, decreased absorption or increased excretion of folic acid may raise the risk of insufficiency in persons with kidney disease, liver disease, or alcoholism.
Those who are medicated:
The body’s absorption of folic acid may be reduced or its need for the nutrient may be increased by certain drugs. Methotrexate, a drug used to treat cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, and psoriasis, is one example of a drug that can reduce folic acid levels in the body. Folic acid supplements can lessen methotrexate’s negative effects and boost the drug’s efficacy. Similarly, several antiepileptic drugs can decrease folic acid absorption, therefore it may be necessary to take a supplement if you’re taking one of these drugs.
In sum, folic acid is a crucial ingredient for numerous processes in the body. While the majority of people can get enough folic acid from their food alone, a few might need to increase their supplementation. See your doctor to find out if you need to take a folic acid supplement if you are pregnant, a woman of childbearing age, have a certain medical condition, or take specific medications. By making sure their bodies have enough of this nutrient, we can help these people avoid health complications including birth abnormalities.
