| Folic acid, sometimes known as vitamin B9, is a | | | | Not only does it help with the production and loss |
| crucial B-vitamin for people to take. It's been | | | | of red blood cells, allowing for a balance of these |
| estimated that 40 percent of American women | | | | types of cells in your system, but also provides |
| do not have enough in their systems. When they | | | | for DNA synthesis, which helps with guiding which |
| don't have enough folic acid, the following | | | | DNA is active in daily functioning. |
| problems can occur: | | | | There are several food sources where folic acid |
| Among pregnant women, a lack of folic acid can | | | | or B-9 is found. Grains and beans both have a |
| result in birth defects, particularly associated with | | | | large source available in them. You can also find a |
| their baby's spinal cord and nervous system | | | | large amount of B-9 in citrus fruits and juices, |
| development. In the UK, low levels have been | | | | such as oranges, and dark vegetables. These are |
| associated with excessive number of cases of | | | | all important supplements that you should have |
| spina bifida. | | | | available to you on a daily basis. Folic acid is also |
| Low folic acid levels are associated with elevated | | | | available in a variety of meats, such as liver, pork, |
| homocysteine levels, which is a major cause of | | | | fish and chicken type products. |
| heart disease in men and women. Lowered | | | | If you want to find how much of folic acid to |
| homocysteine is conversely associated with | | | | take on a daily basis, as well as which foods will |
| improved levels of heart disease. | | | | provide the best sources, you can look into |
| Insufficient folic acid can also be associated with a | | | | several available resources. There are |
| specific kind of anemia, or failure to produce | | | | recommended daily allowances, known as RDAs |
| enough red blood cells. This anemia is one of the | | | | which provide the amount of B-9 intake you |
| more common forms of anemia in the United | | | | should be taking on a daily basis. These can be |
| States-again, mostly affecting women. | | | | found through web searches or through local |
| While folic acid is important in proper doses, one | | | | health providers. You can also look into |
| must also be careful not to consume too much | | | | recommendations from health care sources or a |
| without also ingesting other forms of vitamin B. It | | | | physician. This will help with determining how much |
| has been found that doses in excess of 800 mcg | | | | folic acid you need in your daily diet. Note that the |
| day of folic acid without other B-vitamins can | | | | FDA does not allow over 800 mcg/day in each |
| result in deficiencies of other elemental | | | | pill, but you may be able to support taking more if |
| compounds, such as B6 or B12. If one takes a | | | | your doctor agrees. |
| supplement, therefore, one should do it in concert | | | | Folic acid is an important nutrient for your every |
| with other B-vitamins as well. | | | | day functioning and balance. No matter what you |
| Folic acid, like other B vitamins, can help with | | | | are concentrating on in your life, B-9 will provide |
| digestion and increase in metabolism. They are | | | | several sources and means of balance in order to |
| especially well known to help in digesting sources | | | | allow for you to function at a higher level. |
| of protein that are moving through your system. | | | | |