Food For Thought (Folic Acid)

Member Name: vinodgm

Product:	Folic Acid
Date:	01/07/02 (197 review reads)
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Advantages: Numerous see op, Pregnany women

Disadvantages: None

Folic acid is an extremely important vitamin and is probably one of the most underated. It is also called folate or folacin and is one of the "B" vitamins, also known as Vitamin B9.

All vitamins are essential in maintaining a healthy body. Many of these vitamins are found in plentiful quantities in foods that we normally consume and therefore the question of deficiency does not arise. However several vitamins are present only in limited types of foods and also in limited quantities and much below the recommended daily allowance. This creates various levels of deficiencies that are associated heavily with the diet that we consume. Folic acid is one of these vitamins.

Studies have learnt that many people in Western societies have a mild folic acid deficiency and as such has suggested that increasing folic acid intake could prevent an estimated 13,500 deaths from cardiovascular diseases each year.

Folic acid deficiency is common amongst alcholics, people living at poverty level, those with liver disease and women taking birth control pills.

Folic acid is required by the body to produce red blood cells and chemical components of the nervous system. It also helps synthesize DNA and normalize brain function and is a critical part of spinal fluid. It is required for energy production and is sometimes referred to as as "brain food". It helps in strengthening the bodies immune system and can also help with depression. However what appears to be one of the most significant importances of Folic acid is it's very important role in pregnancy.

Women who become pregnant should get at least 400 micrograms (0.4mg) of folic acid every day. It is also important that this level is available in the body prior to pregnancy. What I am trying to imply here is that folic acid should be taken regularly and not only when a woman becomes pregnant. If it is taken in the recommended allowance only upon the elapsment of pregnan
cy then the benefits are very severely reduced.

By getting the RDA of 0.4mg a day studies have showed that this can prevent upto 75% of many serious types of birth defects, which include neural tube defects like "spina bifida".

Studies have also shown that women who take the RDA of folic acid are around 40% less likely to suffer from breast cancer, than those who are only mildy deficient.

Folic acid is a water soluble vitamin that therefore does not stay in your body for very long. Therefore it is essential that your body gets the RDA very day. This is very more essential during pregnancy and fetal development as the body's requirement for this vitamin increases.

There are two different forms of folic acid. These are the synthetic form and the natural form.

The synethetic form is found in multivitamins and fortified bread and grain products including many breakfast cereals. The natural form is found in leafy green vegetables like broccoli and spinach and in some fruits and juices, like orange juice. Chicken liver and beef liver also provide high yields of folic acid.

However as mentioned earlier in this opinion, many of us do not get enough folic acid and indications of deficiency include:

Sore tongue, which is red
Apathy
Anemia
Digestive problems
Fatigue and tiredness
Graying hair
Insomnia
Memory problems
Restless legs syndrome
Paranoia

The best way of ensuring that your body gets the required amount of folic acid is to take multivitamins that contain the RDA, which is 400 micrograms (0.4mg).

Alternatively more specific medication that contains only Folic acid is also an ideal way to keep yourself protected and healthy.

Since folic acid is a "water soluble" vitamin the body retains what is required and excreats any excess through urine. Therefore taking a moderately high level of folic acid poses hardly any risks or c
omplications whatsoever.

One of these prepartions is the type made by FSC. FSC stands for Food Supplement Company and they produce many medications and cover most of the essential vitamins, minerals, herbs, aromatherapy, homoeopathic and back flower remedies.

The product made by FSC contains exactly 400 micrograms and are yeast free. They are presented in tablet form and are available in glass bottles containing 90 tablets and 180 tablets. The 90 tablets are sold for £2.92 and the 180 tablets for £4.38 a bottle. They should be taken one a day and therefore the pack size is conveniently packaged in 3 month and 6 month supply.

On this note many other pharmaceutical manufacturers produce there own labels of folic acid and therefore it is easily available at most pharmacies.

I would once again like to reiterate that folic acid is an essential vitamin for all of us and more so for pregnant women and for those expecting to become pregnant. Therefore I would stongly urge you to look at your intake of folic acid and if you are deficient, make sure that you take the necessary steps to correct it. You will certainly be thankfull that you did.

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