Red blood cells carry oxygen throughout the body. If the body does not make enough of these, a person can develop anemia , leading to fatigue, weakness, and a pale complexion. Without enough folate, a person can also develop a type of anemia called folate deficiency anemia. Folate is also important for the synthesis and repair of DNA and other genetic material, and it is necessary for cells to divide. It is particularly important to get enough folate during pregnancy. Folate deficiency during pregnancy can lead to neural tube irregularities, such as spina bifida and anencephaly.
Because of its importance for health, the Food and Drug Administration FDA require manufacturers to add folic acid to enriched bread, pasta, rice, cereals, and other grain products in the United States.
Since they introduced this, the number of babies born with neural tube irregularities has decreased. Taking folic acid supplements before and during pregnancy will help prevent neural tube irregularities in the fetus.
It may also reduce the risks of preterm birth, heart irregularities, and cleft palate , among other things. The Office of Dietary Supplements say that all women who could soon become pregnant should take micrograms mcg of folic acid daily — from supplements or fortified foods — alongside the folate they get from their regular diet. People with lower levels of folate may be more likely to experience depression.
However, taking folic acid supplements could make depression medications more effective. Some research suggests that taking folic acid before and during early pregnancy could reduce the chance that the baby will have autism.
However, the study results are not conclusive, and more research will be necessary to determine the potential role of folic acid. Doctors may use folic acid to support a methotrexate prescription for rheumatoid arthritis. Methotrexate is an effective medication for this condition, but it may remove folate from the body, causing gastrointestinal symptoms. Most people get enough folate from their diet, and folate deficiency is rare in the United States. That being said, official guidelines recommend that all pregnant women and women who might become pregnant take folic acid.
This is because folic acid is crucial for early fetal development. The spinal cord is one of the first parts of the body to form, and folate deficiency can lead to spinal cord irregularities. Those who are breastfeeding should aim to take around mcg per day. The body absorbs folic acid from supplements and fortified foods better than the folate from naturally occurring foods. If taking folic acid for reasons other than neural tube defect prevention, talk to your healthcare provider.
Learn more about where to find folic acid in the United States here. For more information, visit the Frequently Asked Questions page.
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The following is a guide. Always take your folic acid exactly as your doctor or pharmacist has told you. The label on your medicine will tell you how much folic acid to take, how often to take it and any special instructions.
Side effects caused by folic acid are rare.
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