Folic acid is a synthesized form of folate, which is B9, a type of B vitamin essential for the formation of healthy cells, especially red blood cells.
It is also used for many other conditions, including the treatment of depression, stroke, and impairment of memory and thinking skills.
Many natural foods are rich in folate, such as leafy greens, broccoli, okra, asparagus, beans, yeast, mushrooms, animal liver, kidneys, some fruits, orange juice, and tomato juice.
Since 1998, folic acid has been added to cereals, flours, breads, pastas, baked goods, crackers and crackers.
Folic acid benefits
Memory improvement
Taking folic acid by mouth, with or without other supplements, might improve memory and thinking skills in older adults with low memory levels.
Treat depression
Taking folic acid by mouth along with an antidepressant improves symptoms in some people with depression.
Treatment of high blood pressure
Taking folic acid by mouth daily for at least 6 weeks reduces blood pressure in some people with high blood pressure who are not taking other blood pressure medications.
brain attack
Taking folic acid supplements can reduce the risk of stroke.
Folic acid for pregnant women
Women of childbearing potential, both pregnant and planning to become pregnant, should receive adequate amounts of folic acid, through diet or supplementation, to prevent birth defects in their children.
Pregnant women should consume a daily dose of folic acid estimated at 300-400 micrograms orally.
The maximum recommended intake of folic acid while pregnant or breastfeeding is 800 micrograms per day for those under 18 and 1,000 micrograms per day for those over 18. Do not use more than this unless directed by a healthcare professional.
And a medical study published in 2017 said that pregnant women who take folic acid in early pregnancy reduce the risk of a child developing autism.
folic acid before pregnancy
Why is it important to take folic acid before pregnancy? Folic acid helps in the formation of the neural tube in fetuses in the first few weeks of their development inside the womb and because folic acid helps prevent some serious birth defects in the baby’s brain and spine.
Women of childbearing potential may need 400 micrograms of folic acid daily, as studies show that about half of all pregnancies in the United States are unplanned, and serious birth defects can occur in the baby’s brain or spine very early in pregnancy (3-4 weeks after conception), before most women know they are pregnant.
When planning a pregnancy, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend that women consume 400 micrograms of folic acid daily one month before conception and during the first trimester of pregnancy.
Does folic acid contribute to a twin pregnancy?
There have been some limited studies indicating that folic acid may increase the likelihood of having twins, but there are no large-scale studies confirming that this increases the chances of conceiving twins.
Women pregnant with twins may need more folic acid to help prevent birth defects, a dose that should be supervised by a doctor.
Does folic acid help stimulate the ovaries?
Vitamins play an important role in women’s health, as they are needed for many functions, including:
- Menstruation and ovulation
- thyroid function
- Increased immunity
- Oocyte quality and maturity
Certain nutrients can reduce the symptoms of PCOS, a common underlying cause of infertility.
Folic acid and male fertility
Studies in men have shown that some dietary supplements can increase sperm count and sperm motility.
Folic acid levels measured in semen have been associated with sperm count and health. One study also revealed that low levels of folic acid in semen were associated with poor sperm DNA stability.
Benefits of folic acid for hair
With age, the growth process can slow down for a variety of reasons, including decreased metabolism, hormonal changes, and changes in the hair follicles responsible for producing and growing new hair.
And because healthy hair depends so much on nutrition, nutrients can affect hair growth too.
When you take folic acid regularly as recommended, it can promote overall hair health, as it is an important nutrient for it and is primarily responsible for healthy cell growth.
And these cells include those cells found within skin tissue as well as in hair and nails, but relying on folic acid alone for hair growth isn’t scientifically confirmed by a large percentage.
If you don’t have a folic acid deficiency, you don’t need to take a folic acid supplement for healthy hair, which means more than 400 micrograms a day won’t make your hair grow any faster.
A study published in early 2017 included 52 adults with premature graying. Researchers have found that these people are deficient in folic acid and vitamins B-7 and B-12.
However, more controlled studies are needed to determine if folic acid alone can help with hair growth.
Folic acid and skin
Folic acid fights premature skin aging, as it helps facilitate the growth of healthy skin cells and fight against aging, especially wrinkles and fine lines. It has also been found to increase collagen production to give you firmer, more toned skin.
Symptoms of folic acid deficiency
Symptoms of folate deficiency are not common or obvious on their own, but they can appear at the same time as a deficiency in a number of nutrients needed by the body, which can manifest itself in the form of the following signs:
- Constant feeling of exhaustion and tiredness.
- Immunodeficiency and constant exposure to disease.
- Problems with digestion, constipation and bloating.
- swollen gums
Effects of excessive doses of folic acid
Your daily supplement should contain no more than 1,000 micrograms of folic acid, unless your doctor prescribes these doses.
Taking large doses of folic acid can cover a vitamin B12 deficiency, which can cause irreversible damage if not detected in time.
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