Folic Acid (Folate): Uses, Dosage, Effects, Food Sources, and More

 

What is folic acid?

Folic acid (vitamin B9) is a B vitamin supplement that may be used to prevent and treat folate deficiency (low blood levels of folate) that can cause megaloblastic anemia. Folic acid may also be used to control high levels of homocysteine, prevent serious birth defects in pregnant women or women who think they may be pregnant, and prevent methotrexate-induced folate deficiency in people prescribed methotrexate.

Folic acid benefits

• Vitamin B9 (folate, folic acid) plays a crucial role in healthy red blood cell production and is also vital for cell growth, repair, and DNA synthesis.
• Red blood cells carry oxygen throughout your body, and folate deficiency can lead to a type of anemia called folate-deficiency anemia. Symptoms of this anemia include fatigue, weakness, shortness of breath, and pale skin.
• Folate is especially important during periods of rapid cell division, such as pregnancy and fetal development. Benefits of folic acid supplementation include:
• Preventing and treating folate-deficiency anemia. Folate is vital for the production of red blood cells (RBCs) and low levels of folate can cause folate-deficiency anemia (known medically as megaloblastic anemia), characterized by RBCs that are unusually large, structurally abnormal, and do not function properly. There are also fewer of them.
• Preventing neural tube and other birth defects in the developing fetus in pregnant women. Folic acid helps ensure the proper closure of the neural tube early in pregnancy. The neural tube forms the brain, spinal cord, and surrounding structures and closes 28 to 32 days after a baby is conceived, which is often before many women know they are pregnant. This is why the CDC recommends all people capable of becoming pregnant get 400 micrograms (mcg) of folic acid daily.
• This means women should start taking folic acid BEFORE they are pregnant, at the time they decide to try for a baby. Lowering high levels of homocysteine in the blood (hyperhomocysteinemia). This can be caused by low dietary intake of folic acid, folate, vitamin B6, vitamin B12, thyroid disease, kidney disease, psoriasis, genetic reasons, or some medications. High homocysteine levels can damage the lining of the arteries and make blood clot more easily which can increase your risk of cardiovascular disease.
• Reducing toxicity caused by the drug methotrexate. Methotrexate can cause low levels of folate in the body which can increase the risk of side effects such as nausea, vomiting, and mouth sores. Taking folic acid 5mg weekly, on a different day to the methotrexate dose seems to reduce these side effects.
• Potential Other Benefits. Research is ongoing, but folic acid may have other benefits, such as reducing the risk of certain cancers, supporting mood and cognitive function, and possibly reducing the risk of dementia and the development of autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

If you’ve ever been pregnant, your doctor has likely recommended that you increase your intake of folic acid. But the health advantages of folic acid reach far beyond pregnancy – this supplement offers lifelong benefits for all women.

The good news is that folic acid is easy to add to your daily regimen. Once you understand why it’s important, how much you need and where to find it, getting the recommended daily amount is simple. And your health will be better for it.


Benefits of folic acid for women
Folic acid has health benefits for women of all ages. It is used for many reasons, including:

Preventing birth defects and pregnancy-related complications
Folic acid plays an important role both before and during pregnancy.

It prevents neural tube defects, which include defects of the brain and spinal cord such as anencephaly and spina bifida. Those defects develop in the first few weeks after conception, before you even know you’re pregnant.

During pregnancy, doctors recommend women take folic acid supplements to help prevent additional fetal defects and pregnancy-related complications.

What are the symptoms of folate deficiency?
Folate deficiency can be caused by not enough folate in the diet, a problem absorbing folate, or an increased need for folate (for example pregnant or breastfeeding women). Folate deficiency symptoms include:

fatigue, feeling tired, or rundown
heart palpitations or a fast heartbeat
shortness of breath
mouth ulcers, or an inflamed and painful tongue
mood changes, such as depression or irritability
sleep problems, such as insomnia,
cognitive problems, such as a decline in thinking and memory.