Folic Acid
Other name(s):
vitamin B-9, folacin, folate, tetrahydrofolic acid, tetrahydropteroylglutamic acid,
THF
General description
Folic acid is a water-soluble
vitamin. It is also known as folate and vitamin B-9. It is an important part of cell
division and in making cells in some organs and bone marrow. It also helps a baby's
spinal cord to grow in the womb. Like the other B vitamins, folic acid helps make
energy
in your body.
The body converts folic acid to
tetrahydrofolic acid. This acid is an important part of cell division. It helps make
nucleic acid (DNA and RNA).
Folic acid deficiency causes some
red blood cells to be larger than normal. This is called macrocytic anemia. This also
causes other problems in white and red blood cells.
Medically valid uses
Folic acid is used to prevent or treat folic acid deficiencies. Folic
acid can reduce the risk of neural tube defects (spina bifida) in newborn babies.
For
this reason, women of childbearing age should take at least 400 micrograms (mcg) of
folic acid daily. It should be taken every day. Start at least 1 month before trying
to
get pregnant.
Studies suggest that taking folic acid alone or with other B-vitamins
reduces the risk for stroke.
Unsubstantiated claims
There may be benefits that have not
yet been proven through research.
Folic acid may help treat uterine
cervical dysplasia. It may also boost the immune system and help treat depression.
Folic acid supplements haven’t been shown to affect heart
disease.
Recommended intake
Folic acid is measured in
micrograms (mcg). The RDA is the Recommended Dietary Allowance.
Group
|
RDA
|
Children (1–3
years)
|
150 mcg
|
Children
(4–8 years)
|
200 mcg
|
Children
(9–13 years)
|
300 mcg
|
Children
(14–18 years)
|
400 mcg
|
Adults (19 years and
older)
|
400 mcg
|
Pregnant women
|
600 mcg
|
Breastfeeding
women
|
500 mcg
|
Food source
|
Nutrient content per
100 grams
|
Brewer's yeast
|
1,888 mcg
|
Soybeans
|
661 mcg
|
Endive
|
444 mcg
|
Chickpeas
|
387.7 mcg
|
Lentils
|
321 mcg
|
Wheat germ
|
293 mcg
|
Beans
|
283 mcg
|
Liver, calf's
(beef)
|
274 mcg
|
Split peas
|
217 mcg
|
Barley
|
198.8 mcg
|
Since 1998, the Food and Drug
Administration (FDA) has required food manufacturers to add folic acid to breads,
cereals, flours, cornmeal, pastas, rice, and other grains.9 For other foods, check the Nutrition Facts label on the package to see if it has folic
acid. The label will also tell you how much folic acid is in each serving. The label
may
say "folate" instead of folic acid.
Between 50–95% of folic acid may be
destroyed with cooking. For instance, 100 g of raw lima beans has 130 mcg of folic
acid.
But 100 g of canned lima beans (drained) has only 13 mcg. This is just 1/10 of the
original amount.
Folic acid is not able in light.
It’s easily broken down in open air. You should store it in a light-resistant, airtight
container. Keep it at room temperature.
Healthy people rarely have folic
acid deficiency. But people with any of these conditions may have more need for folic
acid:
-
Malabsorption syndromes, such
as lactose intolerance, celiac sprue, and cystic fibrosis
-
Inflammatory bowel disease,
such as Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis
-
Chronic hemolytic anemia, such as sickle cell anemia, G6PD
deficiency, or thalassemia
-
Surgery to remove the
jejunum, a part of the small intestine
-
Cancer
-
Hemochromatosis
-
Underactive thyroid
(hypothyroidism)
-
Dialysis
-
Moderate to heavy alcohol
use
-
People taking methotrexate
Women who are pregnant or
breastfeeding may need to take supplements. Talk to your healthcare provider before
doing so. Prescribed and over-the-counter prenatal vitamins have different amounts
of
folic acid.
If you have a folic acid
deficiency, you have a reduced number of white blood cells. The nuclei of the white
cells have too many lobes (hypersegmentation).
Symptoms of folic acid deficiency
include:
Side effects, toxicity, and interactions
There are no known side effects
linked with large doses of folic acid. But very large doses may cause kidney damage.
High doses may also cause a loss of appetite.
Don't take folic acid if you have
untreated pernicious anemia unless your healthcare provider tells you to do so. High
doses of folic acid can hide pernicious anemia. This is due to vitamin
B-12 deficiency. Your healthcare provider may watch you closely if you have vitamin
B-12 deficiency, and you also need folic acid supplements.
Many medicines affect folic acid.
This raises your need for extra doses of folic acid. These include:
Some cancers are treated with folic
acid antagonists. These are medicines that block the function of folic acid. You
shouldn’t take folic acid supplements while you’re on chemotherapy unless your
healthcare provider tells you to do so.