Folic acid
Brand Names
Folic acid, FA-8, Folacin-800What is Folic acid
Folic acid or vitamin B9 is a water-soluble vitamin. It can be used additionally to many different "fortified" foods in the U.S or as a supplement form. Vitamin B9 is very important for pregnant women, but it can also play an important role in cancer, heart disease and numerous other medical conditions.
Folic Acid can be found in:
- Leafy greens such as spinach and turnip greens
- Fresh vegetables are better than cooked because heat destroys folic acid
- Broccoli
- Mushrooms
- Liver
- Dry beans and peas
- Fortified cereals and grain products
- Fortified Juices
Side effects of Folic acid
In general, Folic acid does not cause serious side effects, but higher doses of it can lead to the following conditions:
- Abdominal (stomach) cramps
- Diarrhea
- Nausea
- Gas and bloating
- Rash
- Problems sleeping
- Irritability, excitability or hyperactivity
- Bitter taste in the mouth
- Zinc deficiency
- Psychotic behavior
- Seizures (typically in people who already have a seizure disorder)
Indication
Folic acid is vital, because it produces normal metabolism and red blood cells in the human body. For pregnant women, it is one of the most important nutrients, as it helps to prevent birth defects and also infant spinal cord defects such as Spina Bifida.
Folic acid is also effective in such conditions as diarrhea, heart disease, arthrosclerosis, schizophrenia and depression.
Folic acid can also be used for treating cancer, gout and epilepsy gingivitis.
Precautions
Please, stop using this medication if you have
- an allergic reaction to folic acid
- kidney disease (or if you are on dialysis)
- hemolytic anemia
- pernicious anemia
- anemia that has not been diagnosed by a doctor and confirmed with laboratory testing
- an infection
- if you are an alcoholic
Dosage forms
| Age | Folic Acid RDA |
| 1-3 years | 150 mcg/day |
| 4-8 years | 200 mcg/day |
| 9-13 years | 300 mcg/day |
| 14 and over | 400 mcg/day |
| Pregnant women | 600 mcg/day |
| Breastfeeding women | 500 mcg/day |
