Dietary Supplements – Folic Acid
The debate about the necessity of taking dietary supplements is still
raging. While many health care professionals believe we get all we need
from the foods we eat, others prefer to offer extra vitamins when their
patients are under a stress such as pregnancy or illness or even aging,
when the bodys function is impaired or overloaded.
Studies have proven that taking extra B group vitamins, especially
folic acid and B12 have reduced birth defects by 72 to 100%. And since
regulations authorizing the addition of folic acid to grains have come
into force, the incidence of birth defects in the USA has dropped by
19%, though sceptics claim there could be other reasons.
So what are some of the symptoms of folate deficiency? If your tongue
is inflamed and you suffer from loss of appetite, shortness of breath,
are irritable, forgetful and mentally sluggish, you may have a folic
acid deficiency. Folic acid is one of the B group of vitamins and most
animal and plant foods are poor sources of it. The exception is liver
which most people dont eat a lot of these days. Some habits and
diseases also play a major part in causing a deficiency of this
vitamin. Celiac disease, alcoholism and irritable bowel syndrome are
three such.
Studies have also suggested that when elderly people suffer from
depression it is caused by a lack of folate (B9). It should be taken
with B6 And B12 to help its absorption and function in the body. These
three vitamins work closely together and help relieve symptoms of
depression. They do this by decreasing the amount of homocysteine,
which is thought to play an active part in causing the depression.
Sometimes the amount of folate in proportion to the other two may need
to be increased.
Several population-based studies across the USA have found that various
cancers are less prevalent in people who have high levels of folic
acid. These people also consumed high amounts of beta-carotene, vitamin
C and fiber. One very large study of 50,000 women found that adequate
intakes of folate significantly reduced the risk of breast cancer.
Some prescription medications for inflammatory bowel disease have been
found to interfere with the bodies ability to absorb folate (folic
acid) and the deficiency has also been linked to male infertility and
heart disease.
Foods that offer the most folic acid are dark leafy greens, brewers
yeast, beef liver, some seafood, orange juice and milk. Root vegetables
and whole grains also provide small amounts.
Side effects from folic acid supplements are rare, though they can
occur if the dose exceeds 15000 mcg. Taking any one of the B group of
vitamins alone can cause a deficiency in the others, so dont be part
smart. Find out if you really do need it and make sure your health care
professional knows you intend to take it. Some prescription medicines
like antibiotics and warfarin can react adversely to this supplement,
while others like ibuprofen and aspirin can actually cause a
deficiency. Methotrexate, used to treat some cancer and rheumatoid
arthritis increases the bodys need for folic acid, and its side-effects
are greatly reduced by addition of this vitamin without impairing its
effectiveness, so if you must take this drug, be sure see your health
care professional about adding folic acid to your diet.
