Uses and Benefits of Folic Acid

Uses and benefits of folic acid. A synthetic version of vitamin B9, folic acid is frequently found in supplements and fortified meals. It has certain risks as well as many advantages. One vitamin that dissolves in water is folic acid. It is a synthetic form of the B vitamin folate. You must obtain folate from your diet because your body is unable to produce it. Folate is found naturally in certain foods. Other foods are supplemented with folic acid. Folic acid can also be obtained through food supplements.

USES AND BENEFITS OF FOLIC ACID

Despite their frequent interchangeability, the names “folate” and “folic acid” refer to different forms of the same vitamin, vitamin B9. Compared to folate, folic acid has a distinct structure and a somewhat different physiological effect. The generic term “folate” refers to all forms of vitamin B9, including 5-MTHF and folic acid. One particular synthetic version of this vitamin is folic acid.

1. Taking care of a folate shortage

There are numerous causes of folate insufficiency. A lack of folate in your diet and illnesses or operations that alter how your body absorbs folate, such as celiac disease, short bowel syndrome, and gastric bypass surgery, are some potential reasons of folate shortage. medications that impact the absorption of folate, such as methotrexate and sulfasalazine, and low stomach acid or no stomach acid. disorder of alcohol consumption pregnancy Dialysis for hemolytic anemia

2. Preventing pregnancy problems and birth defects

Spina bifida and anencephaly are two neural tube abnormalities that can be avoided with folic acid supplementation. The likelihood that your unborn child will have one of these disorders can be decreased by getting adequate folic acid while pregnant. In addition to preventing problems with fetal development, folic acid supplements reduce the incidence of pregnancy disorders including preeclampsia.

3. Keeping the brain healthy

Poor mental function and a higher risk of dementia are associated with low blood folate levels. Older persons may be more susceptible to mental impairment even if their folate levels are technically adequate but on the low side. A healthy diet rich in folate may also help prevent Alzheimer’s. Taking 400 mcg of folic acid pills daily for two years improved measures of brain function and decreased blood levels of proteins implicated in Alzheimer’s disease in a 2019 trial including 180 persons with mild cognitive impairment.

4. Addressing mental health issues

Folate plays a role in the synthesis of neurotransmitters, which are substances found in the brain. Depression, schizophrenia, and other mental health issues have been connected to inadequate folate consumption. For instance, blood levels of folate may be lower in depressed individuals than in those who are not depressed. According to an analysis of seven research, antipsychotic medication plus folate supplements may help people with schizophrenia feel better than antipsychotic medication alone.

5. lowering the risk factors for heart disease

Supplements containing folate, such as folic acid, may help lower the risk of heart disease and promote heart health. It is believed that elevated homocysteine levels raise the risk of heart disease. Low folate can result in hyperhomocysteinemia, or elevated homocysteine levels, because folate aids in the breakdown of homocysteine. Supplementing with folic acid can help lower homocysteine levels and potentially reduce the risk of heart disease.

Summary

Folate comes in a variety of forms. The most common ones found in dietary supplements are 5-methyltetrahydrofolate, folinic acid, and folic acid. One naturally occurring type of folate that can be found in food is folate acid. Physicians refer to it as leucovorin. It is intended to stop harmful side effects from the medication methotrexate, which is used to treat various cancers.