- Folic acid - the value is hard to overestimate
- Application
- Vitamin B9
- Deficiency
Folic acid and its deficit
Folic acid exists in two forms: natural and synthetic. A synthetic form of vitamin B9 found in multivitamins, fortified cereals and bakery products, breakfast cereals and dietary supplements
Food additives - basic classification
. Natural sources of folic acid (folate) leafy vegetables such as spinach and broccoli and citrus fruits, particularly oranges and tangerines. A synthetic form of vitamin B9 is more easily absorbed in the body.
Vitamin B9 (folic acid, folate, folacin) - is a water soluble vitamin B group, which is responsible for the quality of blood. Folic acid is involved in hematopoiesis, regulates carbohydrate and fat metabolism in the body. With a lack of vitamin B9 developing anemia (anemia).
Vitamin B9 is involved as coenzyme in various enzymatic reactions, it plays an important role in the metabolism of amino acids, the biosynthesis of purine and pyrimidine bases - component nucleic acids - it determines the value of vitamin B9 normal course of growth and development of tissues.
Which diseases useful folic acid
Vitamin B9 is essential for normal functioning of the nervous, immune and digestive systems, as well as for energy metabolism, hematopoiesis, DNA synthesis and RNA, as well as normal cell division. Folate is also involved in DNA replication and is essential for maintaining normal concentrations of red blood cells in bone marrow.
Folic acid is especially needed for women during pregnancy, as the deficiency of vitamin B9 may cause birth defects, such as a spinal hernia. In addition, inadequate intake of folate during pregnancy can lead to premature birth and the birth of a premature baby.
Indications for use
Food supplements of folic acid are effective in the treatment of neural tube defects, arteriosclerosis, osteoporosis and depression
Depression - a little more than a bad mood
. Folic acid is effective in the prevention of anemia caused by poor diet, pregnancy, alcoholism, liver and gastrointestinal tract, kidney dialysis and other violations of normal body function.
Folic acid also regulates the levels of homocysteine. High levels of homocysteine in the blood can lead to diseases of the cardiovascular system. Some vitamin B group, including vitamin B9, react with the enzyme and reduce homocysteine levels. Folic acid - the most important for the health of the vitamin B group.
Folic acid deficiency can cause diarrhea, anemia, loss of appetite, depression and other disorders, and disorders.
Symptoms of deficiency
Folate (folic acid) is necessary for the proper functioning of vitamin B12 in the production of red blood cells and the processing of carbohydrates, fats and proteins. Good sources of this water-soluble vitamin - liver, kidney, green vegetables, yeast, fruits, dried beans and lentils, unrefined grains and wheat germ. However, in the process of cooking folic acid decomposes. The longer food is cooked, the less it is folate. Usually, when cooking food is destroyed more than half contained therein folic acid, so it may consume raw vegetables. If so you need something to cook or fry, then we must do it quickly over high heat and possibly in a sealed container.
Folic acid deficiency is quite common and is anemic fatigue, loss of weight and appetite, insomnia, headaches, forgetfulness and irritability
Irritability - you try to control my temper
. Adequate intake of folic acid is important for women who want to get pregnant, and for a healthy pregnancy.
Lack of folic acid is often found in women with cervical dysplasia
Dysplasia - what is it?
(abnormality in the cells of the cervix that could be precancerous condition) and those taking oral contraceptives. In addition, the common lack of this vitamin in people suffering from certain forms of mental illness, depression, Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.
The consequences of the deficit
One of the most serious consequences of folate deficiency in pregnant women - birth defects in the baby, such as a lumbar hernia. Lack of folic acid in the mother leads to irreversible damage to the nervous system of the child. Also, folate deficiency leads to slower growth of the child and, as a consequence, a serious deformation of the body. Furthermore, folic acid deficiency contributes to the development of certain types of cancer, in particular colon cancer.
How much folic acid should be
It is believed that a healthy person needs 400 micrograms of folic acid. During pregnancy, women need twice as much - 800 mcg, nursing mothers - 600 micrograms.
Drinker, even if it takes a drink from time to time (an aperitif, a cocktail, beer or wine), is not likely to have enough folic acid.
Increased dose of folic acid is also essential when taking birth control pills, the excessive use of diuretic herbs and bactericidal drugs.
Folic acid is used to stimulate erythropoiesis (the formation of red blood cells, which normally occurs in the hematopoietic bone marrow tissue) anemias normalization of hemopoiesis.