Application of folic acid

A bit of history

Back in 1926, one microbiologist revealed a disease in some pregnant women called Megaloblastic anemia. Further studies have shown that a certain substance is helped to cope with this problem, which is contained in the liver. Women who eaten liver, almost completely got rid of anemia. In 1941, it was found that the green leaves of parses and spinach also contain in its composition this substance. Thanks to these plants, folic acid received its present name, which comes from the Latin word «Folium» and translated means «sheet».

Principle of Vitamin B9

Folic acid, falling into our body, is converted into a substance called tetrahydrofolate - it is an integral part of the set of enzymes and takes an active part in various biochemical processes. Thanks to tetrahydrofolate, our body produces amino acids, which subsequently become an integral part of proteins.

Folic acid has an impact on the reproductive health of the woman, and also participates in the process of dividing DNA and RNA molecules. That is why the lack of vitamin B9 can be extremely negatively affecting the child in the womb, because the cells of the developing fetus are divided very active.

In addition, folic acid contributes to the generation of serotonin and adrenaline - substances that are necessary for the proper operation of the nervous system. Vitamin B9 is also partially responsible for the release of gastric juice - and this is the main factor of good digestion And appetite.

When to consume folic acid

Let's consider which consequences for the future child can carry folic acid shortage in the body of a pregnant woman:

• With the lack of vitamin B9, the fetus can develop a brain waterfront - hydrocephalus;
• Annencephalia is another catastrophic consequence, that is, the absence of a brain in a child;
• Folic acid deficiency may entail such consequences as brain hernia and various delays in the development of the embryo;
• The lack of vitamin B9 is fraught with the manifestation of congenital mutations and vices in the development of the spine and spinal cord;
• Among other things, a pregnant woman with an acute shortage in the body of folic acid may not even convey the child at all until the deadline or give birth to his dead.

The less dangerous consequences of the deficit of this substance include:

• anemics;
• nervousness and depressiveness;
• Strong and long-lasting toxicosis.

Folic acid consumption rate

It is believed that an adult should eat daily up to 200 μg of vitamin B9, however, for pregnant women, the daily dose is at least 400 μg of substance. It should be noted that it is difficult to get an overdose of the drug - for this you need to exceed the rate at least a hundred times. In all other cases, the amount of vitamin that is not absorbed by the body is simply derived by naturally.

There are situations where the daily dose for pregnant women should be improved. The use of larger amount of folic acid is necessary if:

• A woman suffers from vitamin B9 shortage;
• Pregnant has such problems as diabetes and epilepsy;
• In the family, the future mother has genetic diseases;
• Woman suffers strong Toxicosis and disorders in the work of the stomach and intestines.

High folic acid products

So as not to test the deficit of vitamin B9, our site recommends eating the following products:

1. Bread and bakery products made of coarse grinding flour.
2. Fresh greens: parsley, spinach, salad, green bow.
3. Green Vegetables: Cabbage, Polka Dot, Podle Beans, Soy, Broccoli, Avocado.
4. Citrus fruits and fresh juices.
5. Peaches, watermelons.
6. Carrots, tomatoes.
7. Liver.
8. Nuts and sunflower seeds.
9. Porridge: buckwheat, rice, oatmeal.
10. Cheese and cottage cheese.
11. Fish caviar.

As for vegetables, their benefits are significantly reduced during heat treatment, therefore, whenever possible, vegetables and greens should be eaten in fresh form.

Preparations containing vitamin B9

In cases where folic acid is needed not only as a means of prevention, but also for the treatment of certain diseases, its content in food will not sufficiently. People suffering from vitamin B9 deficiency, as well as pregnant women, it is recommended to consume an additional amount of folic acid. In pharmacies you can find a number of drugs that have in its composition this substance. Let's look at some of them:

1. The simplest drug is a folic acid tablets. One such tablet contains 1 mg of vitamin.
2. «Flavin» - Folic acid preparation, having a dosage of 5 mg of substance for one tablet.
3. «Folio» - a complex agent, which includes 0.4 mg of folic acid and 0.2 mg of iodine.
4. In addition to special drugs, Vitamin B9 can be found in various multivitamin complexes: «Elevit», «Vitrum Prenatal», «Prognavit», «Mantna» And some others.

Note that black tea contributes to the rapid removal of the substance from the body, and the reception of some medicines requires an increase in the daily dose of folic acid. These drugs include: «AlmaGel» and «Phosfalugel», Contraceptive tablets, drugs against zinc-based seizures and drugs.