Folic acid is one of the vitamins
that make up the Vitamin B complex. Also known as folacin and folate,
this essential nutrient serves the body in many ways. While important
for all age groups, folic acid is especially necessary to pregnant
women and important to those entering their elder years. However,
despite all its known benefits, many people fail to meet the recommended
daily intake levels, which can have real health consequences.
Folic acid is important from the very first moment of life. In
fact, if a couple is even thinking about getting pregnant, the
woman should immediately begin to monitor her folic acid consumption,
making sure that she meets the suggested daily intake levels. Most
health care professionals recommend that every woman of childbearing
age make sufficient folic acid consumption a nutritional priority.
That is because this nutrient is vital to the development of the
baby from the moment of conception. It can help to prevent serious
birth defects in the brain and spine, called neural tube defects.
Spinal Bifida is one of the more well known of these defects. These
types of defects usually occur within the first few weeks of development,
which means they happen before the average woman even realizes
she is pregnant.
Other important functions of folic acid within
the body include, in addition to assisting in the formation
of genetic material in
each and every cell of the body, the formation of red blood
cells essential to transporting oxygen and nutrients throughout
the body
and tissue growth. Folic acid, according to recent research,
has been associated with such health benefits as protection
against such debilitating diseases as Alzheimer’s disease,
some cancers and heart diseases. It is also thought to offer a
certain
degree of protection from strokes.
Deficiencies in folic acid can cause a myriad of health problems.
Among them are ulcerations in the mouth, inflammation of the tongue,
peptic ulcers, and chronic diarrhea. Folic acid deficiency can
also contribute to certain kinds of anemia.
Folic acid is a water soluble nutrient, which
means it flows out of the body with the urine and the body’s
supplies must be replenished daily. Because of its great
importance in the reproductive
system and the protections it offers, as well as its role
in other essential bodily functions, it is a good idea
to consider taking
dietary supplements to ensure that the recommended daily
intake levels are met. Particularly in the realm of potential
birth defects
of such a serious and debilitating nature, better safe than
sorry should be the philosophy when it comes to folic acid
daily intake
levels.
When choosing a dietary supplement, it is always important to
read and understand the label. That will help you to ensure that
you are getting the daily intake levels of the nutrients you seek.
For example, a prenatal vitamin will focus on different nutrients
and levels of intake than a general, all-purpose daily multi-vitamin.
When planning your supplement use, make an honest assessment of
your eating habits. That way, you can select individual supplements
that match your individual dietary needs and health goals, and
avoid getting too much of some and too little of others.
So much of good health is planning and maintaining
a routine that ensures the daily consumption of proper nutrients.
Folic acid supplements
can offer a safe and sure means of meeting the body’s daily
requirements of this essential and protective nutrient.
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