Folic acid is a water-soluble vitamin B. Foods naturally rich in folic acid include green leafy vegetables (spinach, broccoli, lettuce), asparagus, fruits (bananas, lemons), legumes, mushrooms, meat (beef liver and kidneys), orange juice and tomato juice.
Folic acid helps prevent anemia and promotes the absorption of nutrients. It is also used to treat ulcerative colitis, liver disease, alcoholism and kidney disease.
Pregnant women and women planning a pregnancy should take folic acid to reduce the risk of miscarriage or neural tube damage in babies, as well as congenital disorders such as spina bifida.
Some people take folic acid to reduce the risk of colon cancer. It is also used to prevent heart disease and heart attack. It can also be used to relieve the symptoms of Alzheimer's disease, to prevent hearing loss and visual impairment, to prevent premature signs of aging, sleep problems, weak bones, depression, muscle pain and many other conditions. Some people put folic acid directly on the gums to cure the infection. Folic acid is most often taken orally as tablets in combination with other B vitamins.
How does it work?
Folic acid is essential for the development of the human body. It is important in the construction and maintenance of DNA, and the smooth performance of almost all bodily functions.
Proven effectiveness
It is used in the prevention and treatment of folic acid deficiency in the body.
Very likely efficiency
It can lower homocysteine ??levels in people suffering from kidney disease. As many as 85% of those who suffer from kidney disease have high levels of homocysteine ??in the body which is associated with the onset of heart disease and heart attack.
It reduces the harmful effects of the drug methotrexate, which can be used to relieve the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis and psoriasis. Taking folic acid can reduce nausea and vomiting, which are common side effects of methotrexate.
Reduces the risk of congenital disorders and neural tube damage.
Possible efficiency
Reduces the risk of colon cancer. Increasing folic acid intake may reduce the risk of colon cancer, but it has not been shown to help people who already suffer from colon cancer.
It can reduce the risk of breast cancer, and the benefits are even more pronounced when taken with vitamin B12 and B6.
It can still be used for:
treatment of vitiligo
treatment of gum health problems
prevention of pancreatic cancer
prevention of macular degeneration.
Probable inefficiency
To reduce the risk of heart attack, stroke and other conditions associated with diseases of the cardiovascular system.
To reduce the risk of another stroke.
To reduce the harmful effects of some drugs.
To alleviate chronic fatigue syndrome.
Insufficiently proven effectiveness
For the prevention and treatment of Alzheimer's disease.
To improve memory and thinking in the elderly.
For the prevention of cervical cancer.
To improve male fertility.
For the prevention of lung cancer.
For the treatment of restless legs syndrome.
For the prevention and treatment of liver disease.
For the treatment and prevention of osteoporosis.
For the treatment of alcoholism.
Folic acid side effects
Folic acid is quite safe for most people. Most adults do not notice any symptoms if they adhere to the prescribed doses.
High doses of folic acid can cause stomach cramps, diarrhea, rashes, difficulty sleeping, anxiety, nausea, gas, and sudden mood swings.
There is some evidence to suggest that long-term intake of high doses of folic acid can cause serious health problems and increase the risk of developing another heart attack, the risk of developing lung and prostate cancer. Do not take more than 400 milligrams of folic acid a day unless your doctor tells you otherwise.
Interaction
Fosphenytoin and folic acid
Folic acid may adversely affect the absorption of phosphenitoin, a drug used to calm epileptic seizures, and reduce its effectiveness.
Methotrexate and folic acid
Folic acid may reduce the effectiveness of methotrexate, a drug most commonly used to treat malignancies.
Phenobarbitone and folic acid
Phenobarbitone is used to calm epileptic seizures, and folic acid may reduce its effectiveness.
Phenytoin and folic acid
Folic acid can accelerate the breakdown of phenytoin and can also reduce its effectiveness.
Primidone and folic acid
Primidone is also used to calm epileptic seizures, and folic acid may reduce its effectiveness.
Pyrimethamine and folic acid
Pyrimethamine is used to treat parasite infections, and folic acid may reduce its effectiveness.
Dosage
To treat folic acid deficiency in the body, 250 to 1000 micrograms of folic acid are usually taken daily.
To prevent neural bowel damage, take at least 400 micrograms of folic acid daily for the first three months during pregnancy and 4 micrograms daily for one month before pregnancy.
To reduce the risk of colon cancer, about 400 micrograms of folic acid is taken daily.
For the treatment of high blood homocysteine ??levels, 0.5 to 5 milligrams of folic acid is taken daily, although it has been shown to be more effective to take 0.8 to 1 milligram per day.
To improve the action of antidepressants, 200 to 500 micrograms of folic acid are taken daily.
The recommended amount of folic acid for newborns aged 0 to 6 months is 65 micrograms per day. For babies from 7 to 12 months, it is 80 micrograms of folic acid per day.
Children aged 1 to 3 years can take 150 micrograms of folic acid a day. Children aged 4 to 8 can take 200 micrograms of folic acid a day. Children aged 9 to 13 can take 300 micrograms of folic acid a day.
Pregnant women should take 600 micrograms of folic acid a day, and breastfeeding women 500 micrograms of folic acid a day.
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