Dietary Supplements - Folic Acid
Dietary Supplements - Folic Acid The debate about the necessityof taking dietary supplements is still raging. While many healthcare professionals believe we get all we need from the foods weeat, others prefer to offer extra vitamins when th...
...eir patientsare under a stress such as pregnancy or illness or even aging,when the body's function is impaired or overloaded. Studies have proven that taking extra B group vitamins,especially folic acid and B12 have reduced birth defects by 72to 100%. And since regulations authorizing the addition of folicacid to grains have come into force, the incidence of birthdefects in the USA has dropped by 19%, though sceptics claimthere could be other reasons. So what are some of the symptoms of folate deficiency? If yourtongue is inflamed and you suffer from loss of appetite,shortness of breath, are irritable, forgetful and mentallysluggish, you may have a folic acid deficiency. Folic acid isone of the B group of vitamins and most animal and plant foodsare poor sources of it. The exception is liver which most peopledon't eat a lot of these days. Some habits and diseases alsoplay a major part in causing a deficiency of this vitamin.Celiac disease, alcoholism and irritable bowel syndrome arethree such. Studies have also suggested that when elderly people suffer fromdepression it is caused by a lack of folate (B9). It should betaken with B6 And B12 to help its absorption and function in thebody. These three vitamins work closely together and helprelieve symptoms of depression. They do this by decreasing theamount of homocysteine, which is thought to play an active partin causing the depression. Sometimes the amount of folate inproportion to the other two may need to be increased. Several population-based studies across the USA have found thatvarious cancers are less prevalent in people who have highlevels of folic acid. These people also consumed high amounts ofbeta-carotene, vitamin C and fiber. One very large study of50,000 women found that adequate intakes of folate significantlyreduced the risk of breast cancer. Some prescription medications for inflammatory bowel diseasehave been found to interfere with the bodies ability to absorbfolate (folic acid) and the deficiency has also been linked tomale infertility and heart disease. Foods that offer the most folic acid are dark leafy greens,brewers yeast, beef liver, some seafood, orange juice and milk.Root vegetables and whole grains also provide small amounts. Side effects from folic acid supplements are rare, though theycan occur if the dose exceeds 15000 mcg. Taking any one of the Bgroup of vitamins alone can cause a deficiency in the others, sodon't be part smart. Find out if you really do need it and makesure your health care professional knows you intend to take it.Some prescription medicines like antibiotics and warfarin canreact adversely to this supplement, while others like ibuprofenand aspirin can actually cause a deficiency. Methotrexate, usedto treat some cancer and rheumatoid arthritis increases thebody's need for folic acid, and its side-effects are greatlyreduced by addition of this vitamin without impairing itseffectiveness, so if you must take this drug, be sure see yourhealth care professional about adding folic acid to your diet.For an excellent source of Super Quality Guaranteed Supplementsplease see http://www.healthybodysupplements.com
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