Folic Acid: Benefits and Uses

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Is folic acid a vitamin?

Folate, also called vitamin B-9, is a B vitamin that naturally occurs in certain foods. Folic acid is the form of folate that manufacturers add to vitamin supplements and fortified foods. This article explores the functions of folic acid in the body, its benefits, some sources, the recommended intakes, the risks, and the effects of deficiency.

What is folic acid & why is it important?

Folic acid is the synthetic version of the vitamin folate, also known as vitamin B9. Folate helps the body make healthy red blood cells and is found in certain foods. help your baby's brain, skull and spinal cord develop properly in pregnancy, to avoid development problems (called neural tube defects) such as spina bifida

How does folic acid work?

How does folic acid work? Folic acid helps make healthy red blood cells, which carry oxygen around the body. If you do not have enough folic acid, your body can make abnormally large red blood cells that do not work properly. This causes folate deficiency anaemia, which can cause tiredness and other symptoms.

Why is folic acid important?

Folic acid is a B vitamin which is vital for the formation of red blood cells. It supports growth and cell division in the body. The form of folic acid occurring naturally in food is called ‘folate’. What is folic acid and who needs it? Folic acid, together with vitamin B12, is necessary to form red blood cells.

Where does folic acid come from?

Folate (folic acid) is one of the B group of vitamins found in small amounts in many foods. Folate is usually absorbed through the upper part of the small intestine. The body's reserves of folate, unlike vitamin B12, are low and only sufficient for around four months. Almost half of the body folate is found in the liver.

Who uses folic acid supplements?

People who are pregnant or of childbearing age or who have folate deficiencies often use folic acid supplements. There are many versions of folate. Folinic acid, folic acid, and 5-methyltetrahydrofolate are the ones most widely used in dietary supplements ( 1 ). Folinic acid is a natural form of folate found in foods.

What Is Folic Acid

1. https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/folic-acid/about-folic-acid/
2. https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/folic-acid
3. https://patient.info/allergies-blood-immune/anaemia-leaflet/folic-acid-deficiency-anaemia
4. https://www.verywellhealth.com/folic-acid-benefits-715983
5. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/219853
6. https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements-folate/art-20364625
7. https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/folic-acid/
8. https://www.nhsinform.scot/illnesses-and-conditions/nutritional/vitamin-b12-or-folate-deficiency-anaemia

Folic Acid Information

1. https://www.bda.uk.com/resource/folic-acid.html
2. https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/folicacid/index.html