GENERAL DESCRIPTION:
Folic acid is found in deep-green leafy vegetables,
liver, brewer’s yeast, whole grains, bran, asparagus, lima beans, lentils, and orange
juice. It is particularly important that women who are
trying to conceive and those who are in the first trimester
(3-months) of pregnancy consume enough folic
acid.
ROLE IN ANTI-AGING:
Folic acid is used in RNA and DNA synthesis,
red blood cell production, and the metabolism of protein. It also increases the activity
and production of antibodies and may reduce susceptibility to infection. Research
has shown that folic acid can help to lower blood levels of the amino acid homocysteine, high
levels of which are associated with an increased risk of
heart disease and stroke. It is estimated that 50,000 deaths
from cardiovascular disease could be prevented each
year in the United States if people consumed enough folic acid. Elevated homocysteine levels have
also been linked to Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s
disease, and osteoporosis. Research published in 2002 showed
that people with the highest blood level of homocysteine
were nearly twice as likely to develop dementia or Alzheimer’s disease as those with the
lowest levels. Other research published in 2002 found that
people with the highest intakes of dietary folic acid were
21% less likely to have a stroke and 40% less likely
to develop colorectal cancer. Folic acid
is essential for neural tube development during pregnancy, and many studies have shown that folic acid supplementation before and
during pregnancy can reduce the risk of neural tube defects
such as spina bifida by as much as 70%. Some studies have
also found that it may help to prevent heart defects.
DEFICIENCY SYMPTOMS:
Folic acid DEFICIENCY SYMPTOMS include: anemia, poor growth, weakness, an inflamed and sore
tongue that may appear smooth and shiny, numbness or
tingling in the hands and feet, indigestion, diarrhea,
depression, irritability, pallor, drowsiness, a slow,
weakened pulse; graying hair; mental illness; impaired
wound healing; reduced resistance to infection; birth defects resulting in spina bifida and other
neural tube defects, toxemia, insomnia, leg numbness and
cramps in pregnant women, premature birth and after birth
hemorrhaging, cervical cancer, and dysplasia.
THERAPEUTIC DAILY AMOUNT:
400-800mcg (micrograms) combined with Bcomplex
vitamin. RDA for men and women is 400mcg;; women who are planning or who may become
pregnant, and those in the first trimester of pregnancy are
advised to take 600mcg of folic acid every day. The RDA for
women who are breastfeeding is 500mcg.
MAXIMUM SAFE LEVEL:
The maximum safe levels are 400mcg (long term usage), 700mcg (short term usage). The National
Academy of Sciences recommends that the daily intake of
folic acid in adults should not exceed 1,000 mcg. Very high
doses of folic acid may trigger seizures in people with epilepsy.
SIDE EFFECTS/CONTRAINDICATIONS:
Individuals taking anti-epileptic drugs should
seek doctor’s advice before taking
supplements.
SOLUBILITY:
