The Genetic Code Transmitter (Folic Acid)

Member Name: Shekera

Product:	Folic Acid
Date:	10/02/02 (345 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: A must for pregnant women and those trying to conceive. Also helpful in prevention of some cancers.

Disadvantages: Please note that taking folic acid in large doses can cause severe neurological problems and may also cause insomnia and interfere with the body’s absorption of zinc.

Folic Acid (B9)

Folic acid is a water-soluble vitamin that forms part of the B-complex family of vitamins. It is also known as vitamin Bc but most of you will know it as vitamin B9.

Low levels of folic acid may lead to anaemia. Folic acid is essential for the division of body cells, and it is also necessary for the utilisation of sugar and amino acids.

Most folic acid deficiency is the result of a poor diet, because it is abundant in foods such as leafy green vegetables, yeast, and offal.

Recent scientific findings indicate that folic acid can prevent some types of cancer and is helpful in the treatment of heart disease.

If women have enough folic acid in their bodies before pregnancy, it can help decrease the risk for neural tube defects (NTDs), which are birth defects of the baby's brain (anencephaly) or spine (spina bifida). Once pregnant, it is recommend that women continue to take folic acid into the first trimester.

Health Properties
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* Folic acid may protect the body against cancer.
* Improve the condition of the skin.
* It is a natural analgesic.
* It is needed by the body for metabolism of RNA and DNA.
* It is essential for transmission of genetic code.
* As mentioned before, it helps prevent anencephaly and spina bifida in unborn babies.
* It helps the body form blood.
* It increases appetite in debilitated patients.
* It can help improve lactation in breast feeding mothers.
* It helps build up babies’ resistance to infection.
* A must for women taking the Pill.

Dosage
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The recommended European Union recommended daily allowance is between 200 and 360mcg, however, the US RDA is 400mcg.

There are many people at risk of deficiency, including heavy drinkers, pregnant women, the elderly, and those on low-fat diets. If you think you are in the risk category, then it is recommended that
you consume between 400 and 800mcg. of folic acid per day.

Please note that taking folic acid in large doses can cause severe neurological problems and may also cause insomnia and interfere with the body’s absorption of zinc.

Sources
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* Broccoli
* Cabbage
* Eggs
* Frozen peas.
* Liver (not recommend if you are pregnant)
* Nuts
* Oranges and orange juice
* Spinach
* Wheatgerm
* Yeast products such as Marmite
* Cantaloupe
* Romaine lettuce
* Strawberries

Unfortunately, although the above foods all contain folic acid, it would be very difficult to get the required amount from your diet alone, therefore, it is recommend that it be taken in supplement form.

So as you can see from the above, folic acid is extremely important in the diets of pregnant women, those trying for a baby, and for after the birth if breast-feeding. However, it is just as important for maintaining good general health levels in everyone especially for help in prevention against cancer and heart disease.

Folic acid is available from good health food suppliers such as Holland and Barrett www.hollandandbarrett.com or from online companies such as Woods Supplements www.woodshealth.com where at the moment you can buy 100 400ug tub of tablets for £1.18 (normal price £3.95) or 250 400ug tables for £2.74 (normal price £6.85).

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