Folic Acid Essentials: Why It Matters More Than You Think

What is the significance of Folic acid?

Nutrifactor’s Folic acid 400mcg Tablet, a synthetic vitamin B9 or folate vitamin, is a necessary vitamin for red blood cells formation & healthy cell growth and functioning. Folic acid or folate is a crucial nutrient in early pregnancy to prevent brain and spine defects. Women who are pregnant or planning to become should pregnant take folic acid to prevent serious birth defects such as spina bifida. Folate helps to form DNA and RNA and is involved in protein metabolism. Folic acid is also used for many other conditions including depression, stroke, decline in memory and thinking skills, and many others.

How do you know you are deficient in Folic acid?

Signs of deficiency can include: megaloblastic anaemia (a condition arising from a lack of folate in the diet or poor absorption that produces less red blood cells, and larger in size than normal); weakness, fatigue; irregular heartbeat; shortness of breath; difficulty concentrating; hair loss; pale skin; mouth sores.

What are natural sources for folic acid?

• Dark green leafy vegetables (turnip greens, spinach, romaine lettuce, asparagus, Brussels sprouts, broccoli)
• Beans
• Peanuts
• Sunflower seeds
• Fresh fruits, fruit juices
• Whole grains
• Liver
• Aquatic foods
• Eggs
• Fortified foods and supplements

In what conditions you cannot take folic acid?

• Allergic to folic acid
• Alcoholic
• Vitamin B-12 Deficient
• Cancer
• A patient of kidney undergoing haemodialysis
• A heart patient with stent

How to take your folic acid tablets?

• Take 400mcg Folic acid, one tablet of Nutrifactor’s folic acid, once a day before conception and for the first trimester of pregnancy.
• For anaemia treatment a 5mg daily dose for children and 15mg daily dose for adults
• Never take 2 doses, if you forgot to take your previous dose.

References:

• https://www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-1017/folic-acid#:~:text=Folic%20acid%20is%20used%20for,defects%20such%20as%20spina%20bifida.
• https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/folic-acid/how-and-when-to-take-folic-acid/
• https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/folic-acid/
• https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/drugs/18719-folic-acid-tablets