The body is like a machine and it is necessary to get the right nutrition for this machine to work continuously. The body needs many nutrients to stay healthy and fight diseases, in which folic acid also plays an important role. Now you must have understood what is the topic of this article. In this article on Myhealthonly, we will not only tell you what is folic acid but will also give information about the use of folic acid and the problems caused by its deficiency. Read this article further to know the answers to all these questions.
First of all, know what is folic acid?
What is folic acid and what is its role in your body?
Table of Contents
Before knowing the benefits of folic acid, it is important to know what is folic acid and why is it important for our body. Folate is a natural B vitamin found naturally in certain foods (green leafy vegetables, citrus fruits, and legumes). At the same time, folic acid is synthetic folate, which is used as a supplement to make up for folate deficiency. Folic acid is also known as vitamin B-9, folacin, or folate. It helps in making new red blood cells in the body. Its deficiency in the body can lead to megaloblastic anemia (red blood cells become too large).
Folic acid is very important for a pregnant woman or a woman who wants to become pregnant. It can keep the fetus healthy and safe as well as prevent birth defects.
Know the benefits of folic acid in the next part of the article.
11 Tremendous Health Benefits Of Folic Acid
Well, the benefits of folic acid are many, some of which we are giving you information about below.
- Folic Acid for the Heart
Heart-related diseases are increasing day by day due to uncontrolled lifestyles. In this case, folic acid can play an effective role. Scientific research has shown that folic acid supplementation can work to protect against the risk of heart attack as well as stroke. Also, folic acid can work to maintain heart health.
- Folic Acid for Cancer
The beneficial effects of folic acid can also be seen in fatal diseases like cancer. Including foods rich in folic acid in the diet can reduce the risk of breast cancer. However, further research is still needed on this topic.
- Folic Acid for Anxiety-Stress
From children to old age, there can be problems with stress and anxiety. Many times people do not understand that they have a problem with stress. Nutrients play an important role in avoiding these problems, as nutrient deficiencies can lead to stress, and folate is one of them. Supplementation of folic acid may reduce stress, but it has mixed results. Not only folic acid, but vitamin B12 intake can also relieve the problem of stress.
- To reduce the risk of neural tube defects in newborns.
Pregnant women need more folic acid. It may work to reduce the risk of neonatal birth defects or neural tube defects in the newborn. It affects the brain and spinal cord of the baby. A woman needs to take enough folic acid to protect her baby from this condition. Women are advised to take 400 micrograms of folic acid every day. However, the doctor can give the correct information about the daily intake of folate during pregnancy.
- Folic Acid for Anemia
Not only iron deficiency, but folic acid deficiency also increases the risk of anemia. It may take three to six months for the patient to recover from this condition. Folic acid deficiency anemia requires the patient to be given a folic acid supplement or a diet rich in folic acid as much as possible.
- Folic Acid for PCOS
PCOS (Polycystic ovary syndrome) is a condition in women that puts them at risk of life-threatening diseases like irregular periods, obesity, acne, and even cancer. In such a situation, it is very important to take care of the diet. Along with vitamin D and vitamin C, folic acid is also needed in the diet therapy of PCOS patients. In addition, folic acid may also work to balance the amount of homocysteine, an amino acid, in PCOS.
- Folic Acid in Pregnancy
During pregnancy, both mother and baby require more and more nutrients. One of these is folic acid. As we mentioned above, intake of folic acid during pregnancy can reduce the risk of neural tube defects in the newborn. A pregnant woman needs to take 400 micrograms of folic acid daily.
- Folic Acid for Kidneys
Folic acid can also prove to be helpful in getting relief from kidney problems. According to a scientific study, high levels of homocysteine ​​are found in people suffering from severe kidney problems and high amounts of homocysteine ​​amino acid can cause heart disease and stroke. In this case, an important role of folic acid may be seen, as folic acid can reduce levels of homocysteine ​​​​in people with severe kidney problems.
- Folic Acid for Infertility in Men
Zinc sulfate along with folic acid may play an effective role in the treatment of male infertility. However, how effective it is, more research is still needed.
- Folic Acid for Skin
Skin-related problems have become common due to pollution, sunlight and cosmetic use, and lack of care. In such a situation, the benefits of folic acid can be seen in getting rid of problems like pimples and white spots. The anti-inflammation properties present in folic acid can work effectively on acne.
- Folic Acid for Hair
Almost everyone wants beautiful and thick hair, but due to lack of care, the hair starts falling out becoming dry and lifeless. Sometimes hair loss can also occur due to not taking the right diet. In such a situation, a folic acid diet can be beneficial for hair. Explain that the body needs folic acid for the formation of new cells such as skin, hair, and nails.
Know the foods to use for folic acid in the later part of the article.
Folic Acid Rich Foods
Although there are many foods in which folic acid is present, we are sharing the names of some of them below:
- Green leafy vegetables like spinach, lettuce, and broccoli
- Beans
- Groundnut
- Sunflower seeds
- Whole grains
- Seafood
- Egg
- Pea
- Citrus fruit
In the later part of this article, know why there is a deficiency of folic acid.
Causes Of Folic Acid Deficiency
There can be many reasons for low folic acid, some of which you read about in this part of the article.
- Alcohol consumption
- Nutrient deficiency in the diet
- Over-cooking vegetables or fruits
- Side effects of certain medicines
- Hemolytic anemia
- Eating too many things here and there, in which certain nutrients are not present.
Know more what are the symptoms of folic acid deficiency.
Symptoms Of Folic Acid Deficiency
After knowing about folic acid, you must be feeling how to understand that there is a deficiency of folic acid in the body. Therefore, below we are giving you information about some symptoms of folic acid deficiency.
- Weight loss
- Feeling tired
- Irritability
- White hair
- Diarrhea
- Weakness
- Trouble concentrating on something
- Headache
Know further what can happen if your body lacks folic acid.
What happens when there is a deficiency of folic acid in the body?
A deficiency of folic acid in the body can lead to the following problems:
- If a pregnant woman is deficient in folic acid, birth defects can occur in her baby.
- A deficiency of folic acid can lead to anemia.
- This can also cause the problem of premature labor for the pregnant woman.
- The newborn may be weak and underweight.
- There may also be a problem with sores in the mouth.
- There may be a decrease in platelets.
Find out below how much folic acid you can consume in a day.
How Much Folic Acid Do You Need?
This quantity may vary from person to person and by age. However, women need to take in about 400 micrograms of folic acid every day. At the same time, this quantity may increase after the first trimester of pregnancy.
Note: For more information in this regard, it would be better that you take a doctor’s opinion about this once.
If anything is consumed in excess, it can be harmful, similarly, if folic acid is consumed excessively, then folic acid can be damaged. Below we are giving you information about this.
Side effects of taking too much folic acid –
There is nothing to panic about the side effects of folic acid, rather we are advising you to consume it carefully by telling this. Know below the side effects of folic acid.
- Stomach problems
- Trouble sleeping
- Skin problem
- Allergies
- Lungs or prostate cancer
- Heart problems
There is no need to fear the loss of folic acid because if people consume folic acid in balanced amounts, it can be beneficial. A deficiency of folic acid can cause many problems, so eat a diet rich in folic acid in balanced amounts. If you are already consuming folic acid and you feel the difference as compared to before, then you can share it with us in the comment box below.