Folic Acid

Folic Acid is a form of the vitamin B9. It can be found naturally in certain foods, or added artificially to foods. Folic Acid is also available in supplemental form, often with other vitamins or minerals such as vitamin b6, in multivitamin pills.

Some foods that are high in Folic Acid include leafy green vegetables and orange juice. Many cereals, breads, and pastas are also fortified with extra folic acid. Check the labels on all food you purchase for Folic Acid content to ensure your diet is high in Folic Acid. Food labels may also list Folic Acid as folate, so check for that ingredient as well.

One of the most well known benefits of Folic Acid is its use in pregnant women. Pregnant women who have a Folic Acid deficiency may give birth to babies with neural tube disorders such as spina bifida, or malformations of the skull or brain. Most doctors recommend that pregnant women be sure to follow a diet high in Folic Acid or take prenatal vitamins with Folic Acid. At least 4 mg of Folic Acid daily is recommended for pregnant women. Folic Acid levels are most important in the first weeks of pregnancy, usually before the woman even knows she is pregnant.
For this reason, all women who plan to become pregnant are urged to begin taking Folic Acid before actually conceiving, so that their bodies will be prepared with the proper amount of Folic Acid from the start, which maximizes the benefits to the unborn child.

Recent studies have also linked Folic Acid and Parkinson's disease. These studies have shown that patients who develop Parkinson's disease often have low levels of Folic Acid in their bodies. Adult men and women should also take Folic Acid to help prevent stroke, heart attack, and certain forms of cancer. Since Folic Acid overdose is virtually impossible, everyone should make sure they are getting plenty of Folic Acid in their diet or through supplements.

In fact, the only major concern with taking Folic Acid is the possibility that high Folic Acid levels may hide a vitamin b12 deficiency. There is, however, little evidence to back this theory up. The only group that this seems to be a concern for is elderly patients. Elderly patients are therefore advised to limit their Folic Acid intake to 1 mg per day, just to be on the safe side.

As with any vitamin supplement, you should discuss Folic Acid supplements with your doctor before using them. He or she will advise you on the proper amount to take, given your age, medical history, and any other medications you are taking. For example, Folic Acid is recommended for Methotrexate users.