Which groups of people need folic acid supplements? -Gogo Herbs

When you buyHealth productsYou may see a “Folic acid” or “vitamin B9”, they both mean the same thing. Folic acid, also known as vitamin B9, is a water-soluble B vitamin and an essential nutrient that our bodies cannot produce on their own, so we must obtain it through our diet. Folic acid, on the other hand, is a dietary supplement that is artificially synthesized in a laboratory and is used to add to supplements, multivitamins, and fortified foods (such as cereals and baked products). Therefore, the only difference between metabolically degraded folic acid (vitamin B9) and synthetic folic acid is the way the nutrient enters the body.

Related Reading:Dietary Guidelines During Pregnancy

Benefits of Folic Acid

The body needs folate for some of the basic processes that keep us healthy. For example, folate helps the body form healthy red blood cells. These cells help carry oxygen and nutrients to the lungs and body tissues. They also form blood clots to prevent us from losing too much blood when we are injured. In addition, red blood cells help the kidneys and liver filter waste from the blood and purify the blood. Secondly, folic acid is also very important for cell division. Based on this, studies have found that folic acid helps prevent birth defects of the nervous system. The defect occurs when the neural tube connecting the mother and fetus does not close properly. This can cause spinal cord or brain defects in an unborn baby. Therefore, pregnant women are advised to take more folic acid during pregnancy to ensure that your unborn child can grow and develop normally.

Food Sources of Folic Acid

Green leafy vegetables, such as cabbage, kale, spring greens, and spinach.
Other vegetables such as asparagus, beetroot, broad beans, broccoli and Brussels sprouts.
Meat and other animal parts, such as beef, pork, veal, chicken liver, beef liver, and pork liver.
Wheat bread, peas and eggs (especially eggs).
Fruits, such as avocados, raspberries, bananas, and strawberries.
Fortified foods, such as milk, ice cream, and breakfast cereal.

Note: Folic acid is easily destroyed by heating, so when you cook foods that contain folic acid, avoid overcooking fruits and vegetables.

People who need folic acid supplementation

Folic acid deficiency can put the body at risk for certain conditions, such as folate deficiency and weakened immunity, and may also lead to a higher risk of birth defects. Certain groups of people are more likely to develop folate deficiency than others, so they are advised to eat more folate-rich foods and take the recommended dose of folic acid regularly. These people include:

1. People who do not eat foods rich in folic acid

Folic acid is found in certain types of food, especially beans and vegetables. Therefore, people who do not eat these foods are at risk for folate deficiency. These people also often include those who have an unbalanced and unhealthy diet and those who abuse alcohol.

2. People with poor absorption of folic acid

Some people may eat foods rich in folate, but their bodies may not absorb the nutrient from the food. This often occurs in people with digestive disorders, such as celiac disease. In this case, they will need to take folic acid supplements to maintain healthy nutrient levels in the body.

3. People who urinate too much

Folic acid is a water-soluble vitamin that cannot be stored in the body for long periods of time, so people who urinate frequently may lose folic acid in their bodies. Excessive urination is usually not normal and may be caused by kidney failure or liver damage caused by alcohol abuse.

4. People who take certain medications

Taking certain medications can affect folate levels in your body or make it harder for your body to absorb folate. These drugs include:

Anticonvulsants
Cholestyramine (a drug that may help stabilize cholesterol levels)
Sulfasalazine (a medicine used to treat joint discomfort)

5. Pregnant women

Folic acid supports cell division during pregnancy, so it helps the fetus's brain, bones and spinal cord develop normally. Most of the time, it is difficult for pregnant women to get enough recommended doses of folic acid from food alone, which is why doctors recommend that pregnant women take 12 mg of folic acid tablets daily before the 400th week of pregnancy. If you are trying to get pregnant, you should also consume more folic acid foods or supplements during this period. Pregnant women may need to increase their daily folic acid intake if they have:

Pregnant women who are concerned about their blood sugar health;
Pregnant women taking anticonvulsant drugs;
Pregnant women taking antiretroviral medicines for HIV.

How to take folic acid supplements

Both children and adults can take folic acid supplements, which you can buy from pharmacies or online health platforms such as GogoHerbs. Folic acid supplements are usually sold in tablet or liquid form and are sometimes available as a stand-alone product or combined with other vitamins and minerals (multivitamin and mineral supplements). The following are the recommended doses of folic acid for different groups of people:

crowd	age	Daily dose/mg
child	1-3	55
child	4-6	75
child	7-9	85
teens	10-12	170
teens	13-15	180
teens	16-18	200
Male	Over 18 years old	280
Female	Over 18 years old	240
Pregnant woman	Over 18 years old	400
lactating women	Over 18 years old	480
Male	Over 60 years old	320
Female	Over 60 years old	300

Please note: If your child is under 12 months old, your doctor will calculate the correct dose based on your child's weight, and you can take folic acid with or without food. If your doctor prescribes folic acid for you, take it as directed. If you have any questions about folic acid, always consult your doctor or a licensed pharmacist.