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Home >
Research Department >
Supplement Articles >
Folic Acid |
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Supplement Articles |
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FOLIC ACID
Articles by a Naturopathic
Doctor ( N.D.)
Works well with other B
complex vitamins as they all
work together ... |
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Folic acid is a
water-soluble member
of the B complex.
It is also known as
folate and folacin.
This vitamin is
needed for energy
production, cell
replication and the
formation of red and
white blood cells.
It plays an
important role in
the conversion of
homocysteine into
harmless
substances.
Homocysteine damages
the inner lining of
arteries and high
levels of
homocysteine are
correlated to an
increased risk of
atherosclerosis. |
Folic
acid is especially
needed in areas
where there is high
cell turnover.
Therefore it is an
essential component
of normal fetal
development,
especially in the
first trimester when
most of the neural
network is laid
down.
It is
commonly recommended
by natural health
care practitioners
for a variety of
different
therapeutic
applications
including: cervical
dysplasia,
depression, anxiety,
anemia and
atherosclerosis.
All of the B
vitamins work
together and are
best used by the
body in a B complex,
which is why many B
complex supplements
include a small dose
of folic acid in
them. If additional
supplementation of
folic acid is needed
it should be taken
in addition to a
good B complex. Most
B vitamins are
water-soluble and
any extra from large
doses is flushed out
of the body easily,
therefore it's best
to take lower
dosages of the B
complex several
times a day than one
larger dose. Spray
or sublingual forms
of B vitamins are
easily absorbed, as
are capsules - if
your digestion is
healthy, then the
tablet form is
usually suitable for
most people.
Folic acid is
depleted by oral
contraceptives and
many other types of
medication. Alcohol
blocks the
absorption of folic
acid. High doses of
folic acid can also
change the way your
body uses certain
medications. Check
with your health
practitioner before
taking large doses
of folic acid.
Cooking or
microwaving destroys
folic acid.
Pregnant women
should begin
supplementation
before they become
pregnant because
folic acid is most
needed during the
first six weeks of
fetal life. This is
often when a woman
does not know she is
pregnant. |
Folic Acid–
QUICK FACTS
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FOOD SOURCES
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·
Asparagus,
barley,
beef, bran,
brown rice,
cheese,
chicken,
green leafy
vegetables,
lentils,
liver, dairy
products,
mushrooms,
root
vegetables,
salmon,
tuna, whole
wheat and
nutritional
yeast. |
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DEFICIENCY SYMPTOMS |
·
Anemia,
sore, red
tongue,
digestive
disturbance,
fatigue,
greying
hair, growth
impairment,
insomnia,
memory
problems.
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OPTIMUM
DOSAGE
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·
400 mcg
daily.
(Clinical
doses may be
higher as
recommended
by your
practitioner).
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WORKS WELL
WITH
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·
Vitamin B
complex,
B12, vitamin
C.
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IMPORTANT INFORMATION
click for products |
·
High doses
of folic
acid over
long periods
is not
recommended
for those
with hormone
related
cancers or
seizure
disorders.
·
There is no
toxicity
associated
with folic
acid.
·
Deficiency
of folic
acid in
pregnancy is
linked to
neural tube
defects. |
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For
informational
purposes only.
Please consult your
health care
practitioner before
taking natural
health care
products. Click here
for full disclaimer. |
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All articles
copyright National Nutrition
2001 - 2011. For educational
purposes only. Please note
that while National Nutrition
supports your right to use
natural health care products for
any therapeutic purpose that you
see fit, that the information on
this website should not be
considered as a claim or as a
substitute for medical advice. |
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