Folic acid is an essential vitamin of the B-complex, which can‘t be built by the human body, therefore everybody depends on a continuous and adequate absorption with the daily supplement. Particularly older people, athletes, pregnant and lactating women have an increased requirement of folic acid. Folic acid is involved in a lot of metabolism processes in the human body and becomes important by all growth- and evolution processes. The intake of folic acid is very important at the beginning of pregnancy, because folic acid is neccessary for the foetal development. EuRho®Vital Folic acid capsules are helping to supply the body‘s demand of folic acid.
1. General information about Folic acid :
Vitamin B9 or folic acid, also known as folacin and folate, was first recognized as a dietary essential for chicks in 1938. Later it was found to be essential for other animals and human beings too. It was used clinically in 1945 by T. D. Spies, who found it to be effective in the treatment of anaemias relating to pregnancy and tropical sprue (an intestinal malabsorption condition). These findings were subsequently confirmed. Folic acid is a yellow, crystalline substance, sparingly soluble in water and stable in acid solution. Folic acid is absorbed along the entire length of the intestine.
About half of the folic acid stored in the body is in the liver which contains 5 to 15 mg/kg of liver weight.
Folic acid, in combination with vitamin B12, is essential for the formation, maturation and multiplication of red blood cells.
Growth and development
Folic acid is necessary for the growth and division of all body cells, including nerve cells, and for manufacturing a number of nerve transmitters. It also produces nucleic acids, RNA (ribonucleic acid) and DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid), which carry hereditary patterns.
Protein metabolism
Folic acid aids in protein metabolism and contributes to normal growth.Folate coenzymes are required for the metabolism of several important amino acids. The synthesis of methionine from homocysteine requires a folate coenzyme as well as a vitamin B12-dependent enzyme. Thus, folate deficiency can result in decreased synthesis of methionine and a buildup of homocysteine. Increased levels of homocysteine may be a risk factor for heart disease as well as several other chronic diseases.
Enhance immune system
Folic acid helps in the building of antibodies which prevent and heal infections.
Skin and hair health
Folic acid is essential for the health of the skin and hair, and helps to prevent premature graying of the hair.
Pregnancy health
Folic acid is the single most important nutrient for a pregnant woman and her developing fetus. In fact, eating fresh fruits and vegetables rich in folate, from conception until the due date, is the best policy a woman can adopt to ensure that her pregnancy will be a happy and a healthy one. Folic acid also improves lactation. Folic acid supplements may also be used to treat folic acid deficiency, certain menstrual problems, and leg ulcers.
Deficiency of folic acid causes anemia which often occurs in pregnant women and children. Serious skin disorders, loss of hair, impaired circulation, a grayish-brown skin pigmentation, fatigue, and mental depression can result from a deficiency of this vitamin. Reproductive disorders such as spontaneous abortions and difficult labor, and a high infant death rate can also be caused by folic acid deficiency. Vitamin B9 deficiency may also lead to loss of libido in males. According to studies, two-thirds of geriatric patients were found to be deficient in folic acid, while one-third of psychiatric patients were also deficient in this vitamin. Lack of folic acid can also lead to dementia.
Almost all the anticonvulsant drugs used in the treatment of epilepsy reduce serum folate concentrations. In addition to anticonvulsants, other drugs such as oral contraceptives, pyrimethamine (an antimalarial), co-trimoxazole (contains a sulphur compound), and ethanol (alcohol) may impair folate metabolism.
Folate deficiency will occur if the body does not get the adequate amount of folic acid from dietary intake. Folic acid has been shown to be effective in the treatment of megaloblastic and macrocytic anemias due to folate deficiency.
2. Megaloblastic anemia - due to folate deficiency
Folate deficiency can cause megaloblastic (or macrocytic) anemia. In this type of anemia, red blood cells are larger than normal, and the ratio of nucleus size to cell cytoplasm is increased. There are other potential causes of megaloblastic anemia, including vitamin B12 deficiency or various inborn metabolic disorders. If the cause is folate deficiency, then treatment with folate is the standard approach. Patients with anemia should be evaluated by a physician in order to diagnose and address the underlying cause.
3. Prevention of pregnancy complications
Studies have proven that folate consumption during pregnancy prevents deficiency and anemia in pregnant women. Low folate levels during pregnancy may contribute to birth defects and pregnancy loss.Consuming a high dietary intake of folate and taking folic acid supplements orally during pregnancy reduces the risk of neural tube birth defects or cleft palate in the infant.
4. Methotrexate toxicity
Folate supplementation is beneficial in patients being treated with long-term, low-dose methotrexate for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) or psoriasis. Development of folate deficiency is associated with increased risk of certain side effects including gastrointestinal effects, stomatitis, alopecia, abnormal liver function tests, myelosuppression, megaloblastic anemia, and increased homocysteine levels, which are associated with cardiovascular disease. People who have experienced side effects may need to continue taking folic acid for the duration of methotrexate therapy. Patients receiving methotrexate for cancer should avoid folic acid supplements, unless recommended by their oncologist. There is some evidence that folic acid supplements reduce the efficacy of methotrexate in the treatment of acute lymphoblastic leukemia, and theoretically they could reduce its efficacy in the treatment of other cancers.
5. Alzheimer's disease
Preliminary evidence indicates that low folate concentrations might be related to Alzheimer's disease. Well-designed clinical trials of folate supplementation are needed before a conclusion can be drawn.
6. Cancer
Preliminary evidence surrounding the use of folate seems promising for decreasing the risk of breast, cervical, pancreatic, and gastrointestinal cancer. However, currently there is insufficient evidence available to recommend folate supplementation for any type of cancer prevention or treatment. Please follow the advice of a qualified healthcare provider in this area.
7. Chronic fatigue syndrome
Some patients with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) also have decreased folic acid levels. Daily injections of a combination of folic acid, bovine liver extract, and vitamin B12 for three weeks were not beneficial for CFS in one study.
8. Depression
Folic acid deficiency has been found among people with depression and has been linked to poor response to antidepressant treatment. Folate supplements have been used for enhancing treatment response to antidepressants. Limited clinical research suggests that folic acid is not effective as a replacement for conventional antidepressant therapy. Depression should be treated by a qualified healthcare provider.
9. Hearing loss (age-associated hearing decline)
Folic acid supplementation slowed the decline in hearing of speech frequencies associated with aging in a population from a country without folic acid fortification of food. The effect requires confirmation, especially in populations from countries with folic acid fortification programs.
10. Phenytoin-induced gingival hyperplasia
Early evidence shows that applying folic acid topically may inhibit gingival hyperplasia (overgrowth of gum tissue) secondary to phenytoin therapy. Oral folic acid supplementation has not been proven to be beneficial. More research is needed in this area.
11. Stroke
Study results are mixed for the use of folate in stroke patients. Further research is needed in this area before a strong recommendation can be made.
12. Vascular disease / hyperhomocysteinemia
Elevated homocysteine levels may be a marker of vascular disease. Preliminary data suggests that folic acid lowers homocysteine levels and might reduce the risk of vascular disease (cardiac, peripheral, or cerebral). Large randomized controlled trials are needed before a firm conclusion can be drawn.
13. Vitiligo
Based on preliminary data, folic acid and vitamin B12 may improve the symptoms of vitiligo. Further research is needed to confirm these results.
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