Folic acid

A vitamin in the Vitamin B complex found in milk, liver, yeast and green vegetables such as spinach, which is essential for creating new blood cells.

A water-soluble vitamin of the B-group involved in formation of red blood cells; deficiency is especially prevalent in pregnant women and children and causes anaemias. It is present in meat, liver and green leafy vegetables.

A vitamin involved in many body processes including cell division and in particular in the development of the nervous system of the foetus. Folic acid deficiency has been associated with depression.

Folic acid sometimes referred to as folate or folacin, is a water-soluble vitamin found in green leafy vegetables, whole grains, legumes, and many fruits. Folic acid exists in many interconverted forms and functions in the synthesis of DNA, which makes it extremely important for normal cell division. It is perhaps best known for the prevention of neural tube defects in infants when consumed at adequate levels by pregnant women. Deficiency of folic acid produces abnormally large and immature red blood cells that are poorly functioning; therefore, dietary deficiency is one of several causes of megaloblastic anemia. Like other anemias, megaloblastic anemia can limit the physical work capacity of an individual.

A vitamin important in the manufacturing of red blood cells and in energy metabolism. Symptoms of deficiency are diarrhea and a form of anemia, while overconsumption can obscure the presence of pernicious anemia. Recent studies have also suggested that deficiency of folic acid from improper diet or from drugs that decrease the body’s supply of folic acid can contribute to neural tube defects, such as spina bifida. Folic acid is abundant in liver, beans, and green leafy vegetables and is also found in nuts, fresh oranges, and whole-wheat products.

One of the B-complex vitamins, essential for cell growth and reproduction; it functions as a coenzyme with vitamins C and B12 in the metabolism of proteins and the formation of iron-carrying hemoglobin in red blood cells. Rich sources include green leafy vegetables, liver, kidney, and whole grain cereals. Also called folacin; pteroylglutamic acid.

A vitamin needed to prevent anemias; deficiency may occur with alcoholism, taking birth control pills, malnutrition, and certain diseases. Deficiency is detected by measuring blood levels of folates by bioassay.

A water-soluble B vitamin essential to growth and cell repair. Adequate folic acid is required for a healthy pregnancy, DNA and RNA synthesis, and building red blood cells. A combination of folic acid and vitamins B6 and B12 can reduce the blood level of homocysteine, an amino acid that is associated with an increased risk of diseases related to the heart and blood vessels. However, it is not known if taking folic acid supplements reduces the chance of a heart attack.

A B vitamin that is important in the synthesis of nucleic acids. The metabolic role of folic acid is interdependent with that of vitamin B12 (both are required by rapidly dividing cells) and a deficiency of one may lead to deficiency of the other. A deficiency of folic acid results in the condition of megaloblastic anemia. Good sources of folic acid are liver and dark-green vegetables. The actual daily requirement of folate is not known but the suggested minimum daily intake is 200 μg/day for an adult, which should be doubled during pregnancy.

One of the constituents of the vitamin B complex, folic acid derives its name from the fact that it is found in many green leaves, including spinach and grass; it has also been obtained from liver, kidney and yeasts. It has proved to be of value in the treatment of macrocytic anaemias, particularly those associated with SPRUE and nutritional deficiencies.

A water-soluble B complex vitamin needed for DNA synthesis and occurring naturally in green leafy vegetables, beans, and yeast. It is used to treat megaloblastic and macrocytic anemias and to prevent neural tube defects (NTDs) as well as cardiovascular disease in adults. The U.S. Public Health Service recommends that all women of childbearing age in the U.S. who are capable of becoming pregnant should consume 0.4 mg of folic acid per day to reduce their risk of having a child affected with spina bifida or other neural tube defects (NTD).

Folic acid is a vital vitamin necessary for the bone marrow to produce red blood cells. This vitamin can be found in various foods, especially liver and raw vegetables, and a regular diet typically provides sufficient amounts of it.

Throughout pregnancy, folic acid plays a crucial role in supporting fetal growth, the maturation of the nervous system, and the formation of blood cells. By taking folic acid supplements before conception and during the initial 12 weeks of pregnancy, the likelihood of neural tube defects is significantly reduced.