Most people associate the vitamin folic acid with pregnancy. However not only pregnant women, but each humans need a certain measure of Folsäure in the body, in order to remain healthy. Which consequences a Folsäuremangel has and how you can take Folsäure best to you, experience you in this contribution.
Folic acid belongs to the group of B vitamins and is also known as vitamin B9. Folic acid is essential, which means that the body cannot produce this vitamin on its own. It must be supplied to the body either through food or, if necessary, through preparations. The human body is able to store the vitamin for about three to four months. Nevertheless, regular intake of the vitamin is advisable in cases of deficiency symptoms.
Symptoms of folic acid deficiency
A severe deficiency usually does not go unnoticed, as some symptoms can develop over time. Annemia (anemia) is possible, but it occurs rather rarely. It is also possible that the thrombocytes, i.e. the red blood platelets, decrease. When healthy, these ensure the formation of crusts in wounds. If the number of thrombocytes is too low, bleeding from injuries cannot be stopped or can only be stopped with difficulty. Other symptoms are sudden weight loss, nausea, diarrhea and inflammation of the tongue. If inflammation of the tongue occurs frequently, this can be an indication of folic acid deficiency.
Vitamin B9 and vitamin B12 are needed in the body to break down homocysteine. If these vitamins are not available in sufficient quantities, the homocysteine in the blood may rise high and thus endanger the blood vessels. In the worst case, arteriosclerosis, a chronic disease of the arteries, can develop.
Folic acid during pregnancy
When planning a pregnancy, it is important to take sufficient folic acid beforehand. If there is a folic acid deficiency, there is a risk that the baby will be born with an open back. The first few days of pregnancy are crucial. Since most women do not usually learn about the pregnancy until the second or third week, it may already be too late at this point. The birth of a child with an open back is very rare. Nevertheless, the folic acid balance should be replenished as a precaution.
Reasons for folic acid deficiency
The reason for a folic acid deficiency can be mainly the intake of antibabypills. But regular or heavy alcohol consumption can also be responsible for it. It is also possible that the small intestine is not properly receptive or that the liver is diseased and cannot process the folic acid. An insufficient intake of folic acid-containing foods can also cause a deficiency.
Supply folic acid
Folic acid should primarily be taken in with food, even without deficiency symptoms. Pulses and germinated cereal grains are particularly suitable for this. If possible, these should not be made from wheat. Although wheat contains a lot of folic acid, it is harmful to health due to other ingredients. Green leaves, such as green leafy vegetables, parsley and garden cress, sunflower seeds, asparagus, bananas and yeast also contain a lot of folic acid. If you regularly include these foods in your diet, you should be adequately supplied with vitamin B9.
A deficiency can be tested in the blood. If such a deficiency is found, you can take a preparation. Make sure that it is methylated folic acid, as this is very well absorbed by the body and is very biocompatible. The abbreviation for methylated folic acid is: 5-MTHF. An intake of 600 to 800 micrograms per day is recommended.
In newborns, folic acid supplementation is not necessary if the mother has an adequate supply of folic acid and is breastfeeding the baby.
Folic acid is extremely important for the organism and a deficiency should not be underestimated. Try to eat as many foods containing folic acid as possible, so that there is no deficiency at all.
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