VITAMINS: Folate (Folic Acid)
Overview of Vitamins | Vitamin A (and Beta Carotene) | Biotin (Vitamin H) | Vitamin B-1 (Thiamin) | Vitamin B-2 (Riboflavin) | Vitamin B-3 (Niacin or Nicotinic Acid) | Vitamin B-5 (Pantothenic Acid) | Vitamin B-6 (Pyridoxine) | Vitamin B-12 (Cobalamin) | Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid) | Vitamin D | Vitamin E | Folate (Folic Acid) | Inositol | Choline
 
Folate (Folic Acid)
Functions of Folic acid
- Is necessary for DNA & RNA synthesis, which is essential for the growth and reproduction of all body cells.
- Is essential to the formation of red blood cells by its action on the bone marrow.
- Aids in amino acid metabolism.
Deficiency of Folic acid
May result in gastrointestinal disorders, anemia, Vitamin B-12 deficiency, pre-mature gray hair
People with an increased risk of Folic acid deficiency
- Heavy drinkers.
- Pregnant women.
- Women on the pill.
- The elderly.
Clinical Uses of Folic acid
- Women of child-bearing potential to reduce the number of pregnancies affected by a neural tube defect.
- Very high doses of folic acid may counteract certain antiepileptic drugs.
- When methotrexate (antifolate drug) is used in arthritis therapy, folate supplements often are used to lessen side effects.
Recommended dietary allowance for Folic acid
See Recommended dietary allowances for vitamins.
Food Sources of Folic acid
Brewer's yeast. Wheatgerm. Wheat bran. Green leafy vegetables. Liver. Peanuts. Almonds. Carrots. Cantaloupe melons. Apricots. Avocados. Beans. Beetroot. Broccoli. Citrus fruits. Free range eggs.
Toxicity of Folic acid
It is only reported after massive doses (nonphysiological doses) given by injection including neuro- and nephrotoxicity.
References
- Bailey, L. B. and Gregory, J. F. (1999) Folate metabolism and requirements. J. Nutr. 129: 779-782.
- Bailey, L. B. and Gregory, J. F. (1999) Polymorphisms of methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase and other enzymes: metabolic significance, risks and impact on folate requirement. J. Nutr. 129: 919-922.
- Committee on the Scientific Evaluation of Dietary Reference Intakes, Institute of Medicine (1998) Folate. In: Dietary Reference Intakes for Thiamin, Riboflavin, Niacin, Vitamin B6, Folate, Vitamin B12, Pantothenic acid, Biotin, and Choline. pp. 8-1 - 8-68. National Academy Press, Washington, DC.
- Selhub, J. & Rosenberg, J. H. (1996) Folic acid. In: Present Knowledge in Nutrition (Ziegler, E.E. and Filer, L. J., eds.), 7th ed., pp. 206-219. International Life Sciences Institute Press, Washington, DC.
Overview of Vitamins | Vitamin A (and Beta Carotene) | Biotin (Vitamin H) | Vitamin B-1 (Thiamin) | Vitamin B-2 (Riboflavin) | Vitamin B-3 (Niacin or Nicotinic Acid) | Vitamin B-5 (Pantothenic Acid) | Vitamin B-6 (Pyridoxine) | Vitamin B-12 (Cobalamin) | Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid) | Vitamin D | Vitamin E | Folate (Folic Acid) | Inositol | Choline
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