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Folic
Acid
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Folic Acid works closely
with vitamin B 12. Folate and folic acid are forms of a water-soluble B vitamin.
Occuringt naturally in food, folic acid is the synthetic form of this
vitamin that is found in supplements and fortified foods.
Folate gets its name from the
Latin word "folium" for leaf. A key observation of
researcher Lucy Wills nearly 70 years ago led to the identification of
folate as the nutrient needed to prevent the anemia of pregnancy. Dr.
Wills demonstrated that the anemia could be corrected by a yeast
extract. Folate was identified as the corrective substance in yeast
extract in the late 1930s and was extracted from spinach leaves in
1941. Folate is necessary for the production and maintenance of new
cells.
This is especially important during periods of rapid cell division and
growth such as infancy and pregnancy. Folate is needed to make DNA and
RNA, the building blocks of cells. It also helps prevent changes to
DNA that may lead to cancer. Both adults and children need folate to
make normal red blood cells and prevent anemia.
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How
Folic Acid can help you |
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Helps
prevent neural tube birth defects such as spina bifida |
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Aids
metabolism of protein. |
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Needed
for energy production. |
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Needed
for production of red blood cells. |
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Needed
for healthy cell division and replication. |
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Symptoms of
deficiency may include
Anemia, fatigue, irritability,
weakness, sleeping difficulties, pallor |
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| Most
important |
| Folic Acid deficiency can
cause neural tube defects. |
| It is for this reason the
FDA (Food and Drug Administration) recommends that all women of
childbearing age take 400 mcg of Folic Acid daily. |
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Natural
food sources
Deep green leafy vegetables,
beef, lamb, pork, chicken, liver, whole wheat, bran, yeast |
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| Some
things you should know |
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The use of oral
contraceptives may increase your need for Folic Acid. |
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You are more
likely to be deficient in Folic Acid if you are pregnant, an
alcoholic, a senior citizen, on a low calorie diet or have
sickle cell anemia. |
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Stress may
increase your body’s need for Folic Acid. |
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See: How Folic acid Can Help Prevent Birth Defects
CLICK HERE |
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