Folic Acid Awareness Week

Folic acid is a form of vitamin B-9 that can dissolve in water. It is a key ingredient in the making of the nucleic acid that forms part of all genetic material.

It is a complex B vitamin, similar to vitamin B-12. Vitamin B-9 and its forms carry out the crucial functions of creating more red blood cells, preventing hearing loss, and preserving the brain health of infants.

Importance

Folic acid is essential for women who are pregnant.

Vitamin B-9 includes both folate and folic acid and is important for several functions in the body.

According to the British Dietetic Association (BDA), folic acid is vital for making red blood cells, as well as:

•             The synthesis and repair of DNA and RNA

•             aiding rapid cell division and growth

•             enhancing brain health, although the evidence is mixed and more research is needed

•             Age-related hearing loss

It is particularly important for women who are pregnant to consume enough folic acid. This helps prevent the foetus from developing major congenital deformities of the brain or spine, including neural tube defects, such as Spina Bifida and Anencephaly (the absence of a major portion of the brain).

Women planning to get pregnant should take folic acid supplements for a full year before conception to reduce the risk of these developments.

Folic acid is thought to play a preventive role in a range of conditions.

Rheumatoid arthritis

Folic acid is often used to support a Methotrexate prescription for rheumatoid arthritis.

Methotrexate is an effective medicine for this condition. However, it is also known to remove folate from the body. This can cause gastrointestinal symptoms for between 20 and 65 percent of people who use the drug.

However, folic acid supplements have been shown to reduce the gastrointestinal side effects of methotrexate by 79 percent. Speak to a doctor for recommendations on how much to take, and how often. 1 milligram (mg) per day is often prescribed.

Natural sources

Asparagus and egg yolk are two great sources of folic acid.

Dark green vegetables are good sources of folic acid. Be careful not to overcook them, as the folic acid content can drop considerably when exposed to heat.

The following foods are known to be rich in folic acid:

•             Asparagus

•             Baker’s yeast

•             Broccoli

•             Brussels sprouts

•             Cabbage

•             Cauliflower

•             Egg yolk

•             Jacket potato

•             Kidney

•             Lentils

•             Lettuce

•             Liver, although women should not consume this during pregnancy

•             Many fruits, especially papaya and kiwi

•             Milk

•             Oranges

•             Parsnips

•             Peas

•             Spinach

•             Sunflower seeds

•             Wholewheat bread, as it is usually fortified

It is always better to get nutrients from natural food sources rather than supplements. Seek out these food options and work them into your diet.

Deficiency

Folic acid deficiency occurs when not enough folate or folic acid is present in the body.

Aside from anaemia and congenital deformities, folic acid deficiency can result in other health problems, including:

•             A higher risk of developing clinical depression

•             Possible problems with memory and brain function

•             A higher risk of potentially developing allergic diseases

•             A higher potential long-term risk of lower bone density

Deficiency anaemia

Individuals can develop folic acid deficiency anaemia if they do not consume enough folic acid.

As folate is important for producing and maintaining red blood cells, inadequate levels can mean that there are not enough red blood cells to supply the body with a healthy level of oxygen.

This condition can appear in people who require higher quantities of folate and are not taking supplements, such as women who are pregnant and lactating.

Folic acid deficiency anaemia can occur in people with underlying conditions, such as sickle cell anaemia. It can also affect people with conditions that affect folate absorption. Alcohol abuse or kidney disease can reduce the ability of the body to effectively absorb folate.

Some medications, such as those used for treating rheumatoid arthritis, cancer, and seizures, may increase the risk of folic acid deficiency anaemia.

The signs and symptoms of folic acid deficiency disease include:

•             Fatigue

•             feeling weak

•             Sores around the mouth

•             Memory and cognition difficulties

•             Irritable mood

•             Loss of appetite

•             Weight loss

People with folic acid deficiency anaemia are given folic acid pills for daily use. Once folate levels return to normal, the body can produce enough blood cells to allow normal function.