What is folic acid and how does it affect us?
Health Watch By Karleta Colvin
The North Jefferson News
Folic acid is a water soluble B complex vitamin used in the formation of red blood cells and genetic material.
We ingest folic acid from a variety of foods such as liver, yeast and leafy green vegetables. It can be purchased over the counter as a supplement and taken orally once daily with a meal. Many people hear about the supplement and initially connect it with its importance in pregnant women and women of child bearing age. This is indeed true. But, it is also used to treat different types of anemias and tropical sprue.
It is also used diagnostically to check for folate deficiencies. The recommended dietary intake varies around 400 mcg daily for all women of child bearing age. This dose has proven to reduce the risks associated with congenital neural tube defects. The Food and Drug Administration even stressed the importance of folic acid by requiring food manufacturers to fortify enriched grains with folic acid. This shows that folic acid is essential for the formation of genetic material, red blood cells, and amino acid metabolism.
Why must we adjust our diets to ensure the proper consumption of folic acid? Our bodies are not capable of producing folic acid. Folic acid is an important precursor of other biochemically active compounds capable of crossing our cells by endocytosis.
Once inside our cells, they are used intracellularly in the production of healthy red blood cells and DNA. Folic acid is also used along with vitamin B12 to normalize high levels of homocysteine. It is important to have healthy red blood cells to transport oxygen throughout the body. People with folate deficiency experience weakness. This is because of an inadequate amount of oxygen available throughout the body.
Thymidine and purines are biochemical compounds involved in the synthesis of DNA and all depend on folic acid coenzymes. Folic acid also plays a role in proper DNA methylation which decreases the risk of certain cancers.
Folate is used to convert homocysteine to methionine. This is very important because high levels of homocysteine are responsible for heart disease and other chronic illnesses. Folate, vitamin B12, and vitamin B6 are all used together to help regulate this balance.
Fetal development
Fetal growth and development involve a high degree of cell division. Neural tube defects can be caused by abnormal development of the neural tube which develops into the central nervous system.
Two common neural tube defects include anencephaly and spina bifida. Anencephaly results in the absence of part or all of the cerebral hemisphere of the brain. This is a very serious and sometimes life-threatening disorder. Spina bifida is the most common cause of paralysis in infants. There is a lack of protection of the spinal cord by membranes and vertebral bones.
The recommended intake of folic acid must be reached very early in pregnancy. Most of the defects take place very early in pregnancy before the mother is sometimes aware that she is pregnant. This is why it is stressed for all women of child bearing age to reach the recommended dosage of folic acid each day. Because most pregnancies in the United States are unplanned, the percentage of neural tube defects due to folic acid deficiencies has decreased thanks to the FDA mandate to fortify enriched grains with folic acid.
So, how can we ensure that we are adequately ingesting enough folic acid? We can easily take the over the counter supplement daily. Or, we could consume a diet rich in green leafy vegetables, citrus fruit juices, and fortified cereals.
Folic acid toxicity is rare but may include hypersensitivity reactions, GI effects like anorexia, flatulence, and nausea/vomiting. Some may experience irritability, depression and over activity. These adverse effects were seen in very high doses of about 15mg daily.
The proper dose of folic acid will vary based on your condition. For example, if you are capable of becoming pregnant you should consume 400 mcg of folate daily. On the other hand, if you are currently pregnant, you may want to consider 600 mcg daily.
To ensure proper intake of folate, you should consult your doctor for the best advice.
Karleta Colvin is a PharmD candidate from the McWhorter School of Pharmacy, working at The Pharmacy in Mt. Olive. The Pharmacy can be reached at 631-1201.