Folic Acid -- Vitamin B9 -- Folate - By: Richard A Stooker

Like all vitamins, however, folic acid is a complex multi-tasker. It helps lower your levels of homocysteine. High levels of homocysteine put you at risk of vascular disease such as stroke, thromboembolism and other diseases including osteoporosis, Crohn's disease, Alzheimer's disease, diabetes, complications of pregnancy and hypothyroidism. Some suggest that folic acid may lower your risk of getting heart disease by preventing damage to the inner linings of your arteries, the endothelium.

Folic acid is necessary for the synthesis of RNA and DNA. For the production of red blood cells. And for metabolizing protein. It increases the activity and production of antibodies, making it important for fighting back against infections. It also improves age-related decreases in white blood cell functioning.

The reason for the FDA's action in 1996 is that folic acid is vital for the healthy and proper development of a woman's neural tube. Therefore having enough folic acid especially during the first trimester of a pregnancy helps to prevent neural tube defects such as spina bifida. Not to mention heart defects, defects of upper lip and mouth, urinary tract defects and limb reduction defects. A study done in 2003 suggests than folic acid supplementation may reduce the incidence of Down's syndrome. It even reduces the child's risk of getting leukemia in childhood.

Folic acid deficiencies include: anemia, poor growth, weakness, inflamed and sore tongue, numbness or tingling in feet and hands, indigestion, diarrhea, depression, irritability, pallor, drowsiness, graying hair, mental illness, reduced immunity, toxemia, insomnia, cervical cancer and dysplasia.

Natural sources of folic acid include: dark-green leafy vegetables, liver, brewers yeast, whole grains, asparagus, lima beans and orange juice.

400 micrograms is enough for normal supplementation. Women who are planning to get pregnant or who already are should take 600 mcg every day. It works best if taken with other members of the B vitamin family, because they work in synthesis.

Really high doses of folic acid can cause epileptics to have a seizure. If you're on antiepileptic drugs see your doctor before taking a supplement with folic acid.

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