For normal functioning of the human body, it is necessary to consume vitamins. With their deficiency, illnesses begin, the state of health worsens, and chronic fatigue appears. One of the vitamins required by the body is folic acid, which is indispensable in the process of blood formation and affects the productive work of the nervous system and brain.
Folic acid is a water-soluble vitamin of group B. It is received for the first time from spinach leaves. Therefore, the name "folic" stands for "leaf" from the Latin word folium. Also called vitamin B9. It is found in the form of an artificially synthesized substance or naturally in food.
What is folic acid for?
Vitamin B9 is an absolutely essential element for human health. It is folic acid that is involved in the creation of new blood cells. It is a participant in the synthesis of DNA, RNA, amino acids.
It promotes the growth of strong hair and nails, guarantees the stability of the nervous system and the productive work of the brain, improves the efficiency of the heart and digestive system. The adoption of this supplement contributes to the development of special enzymes, through which the prevention of the occurrence of tumors.
With the help of vitamin B9, serotonin is released ("the hormone of joy"). When it is deficient, a person has depression and stress.
Vitamin B9 is especially needed for women to improve their appearance and maintain their health. For this reason, it is necessary to include foods that contain folic acid and take vitamins in daily meals.
Vitamin B9 is widely used in cosmetology. To give the hair a healthy look and increase growth, the additive from ampoules in liquid form is added to masks and shampoos.
Release form
Pharmaceutical companies receive vitamin B9 by artificial means and produce in the form of tablets, powder, ampoules.
The dosage of the pill or powder is standard 1 mg. In ampoules it is suitable for injections or cosmetic procedures. Also, vitamin B9 may be part of complex vitamins.
How to take folic acid: instructions
The daily rate of supplementation is individual and depends on various factors. The rational dose for an adult is 2-5 mg per day. To ensure a healthy lifestyle should take a minimum rate.
But with increased intellectual and physical exertion, stress or illness, it is necessary to increase the dose. During pregnancy and lactation, the dosage of vitamin B9 is also increased. All norms must individually set a doctor.
Recommended rate per day:
- infants - 0.25-0.45 mg;
- children under the age of 14 - 0.5-1.5 mg;
- children from 14 years old and adults 2-4 mg;
- pregnant girls - 4-8 mg;
- nursing mother - 2-4 mg.
Take folic acid supplements during or after meals. Children need to dissolve the tablet in water. The course of treatment is usually 60 days.
Is taking vitamin B9 important when planning a pregnancy?
As a rule, girls start to receive vitamins, being already in an interesting position. But it is preferable to worry in advance about the health of your own and unborn child.
The main condition for the full formation of the fetus - is the receipt of the necessary elements together with minerals and vitamins. The lack of the required substances may adversely affect the health of the woman during pregnancy. Especially in the first trimester of pregnancy, when the future baby forms all the organs.
Women often lack vitamins. Replenishment also requires taking folic acid at the planning stage of pregnancy 2–3 months before the acceptable conception date.
This will help to get pregnant as soon as possible and to avoid the occurrence of fetal malformations. How to take folic acid when planning pregnancy, we found out above.
Its lack of planning for pregnancy can lead to the following problems in the future:
- miscarriage;
- missed abortion;
- exfoliated placenta;
- egg anomaly;
- congenital malformations of the baby;
- anemia and, therefore, hypoxia.
Importance of taking supplements during pregnancy
Reception of vitamin B9 plays an important role during pregnancy. The formation of the nervous system of the fetus, including the spinal cord and brain, occurs with the help of folic acid.
In the first weeks from conception in the unborn child, the main organs are laid and develop. She may not yet know about pregnancy.
For this reason, it is important to start consuming vitamin B9 before conception (during pregnancy planning) and continue right up to the birth. Be sure to carry it out for women with diabetes and epilepsy.
Diseases that can occur in a child with vitamin B9 deficiency in a pregnant girl:
- anencephaly;
- hydrocephalus;
- heart disease;
- mental impairment;
- spina bifida;
- defect "cleft lip", etc.
To prevent such negative consequences, it is necessary to use products that contain folic acid and vitamins B9 with a dosage of up to 8 mg.
And what should men do?
Men, especially those planning a pregnancy with their spouse, are obliged to understand that with a lack of vitamin B9 in the body, conception of a baby may not occur at all. Folic acid has a positive effect on the fertilization process, namely:
- increases sperm motility;
- reduces the number of low-quality sperm with various defects;
- reduces the possibility of gene mutations in the unborn child;
- increases the likelihood of conceiving a healthy and strong baby.
It is strongly recommended that representatives of the stronger sex monitor the presence of products containing vitamin B9 in their diet. It is also possible intake of vitamin B9 in the form of tablets or as part of vitamin complexes.
After all, the first thing a father can give to a child is quality genes. The doctor will tell you how to take folic acid to a man correctly.
Young men need it for proper puberty. After all, its lack of hormonal causes failure. Essential hormones are delayed.
This leads to the fact that secondary sexual characteristics appear later. In such adolescents, inattention is observed, memory deterioration, appetite is lost, they grow more slowly than peers. In the future, these young men will have weak offspring.
All these problems can be solved quite easily: you only need to eat fully and monitor the presence of sufficient vitamin B9 in the daily diet.
Foods rich in folic acid
Eating foods containing vitamin B9 is necessary daily. Especially during pregnancy planning. The list of such products is quite wide:
- leafy greens: spinach, lettuce, parsley, dill, cilantro, sorrel, green onions, celery, asparagus;
- cereals and cereals: buckwheat, oatmeal, rice, whole-grain flour products, yeast;
- vegetables and fruits: cabbage, beets, tomatoes, cucumber, carrots, onions, pumpkins, melons, peaches, watermelon, citrus;
- nuts: walnuts, peanuts, hazelnuts, cashews, almonds, pistachios;
- sunflower seeds;
- green peas, beans and legumes;
- liver and kidneys, meat, cheese, cottage cheese, kefir, milk, chicken eggs;
- sea fish.
In many countries, flour or rice is especially enriched with folic acid. This reduces the number of children born with developmental abnormalities.
It should be noted that vitamin B9 loses its beneficial properties during heat treatment. For this reason, eat vegetables, fruits and herbs preferably fresh. Meat and fish cooking is best steamed.
Especially during the digestion of food, under the influence of alcohol, smoking, and some medications, with pathologies in the liver, approximately 50% of this valuable trace element is lost.
It was also found that with a healthy intestinal microflora, vitamin B9 can be produced inside the human body. But usually, due to taking antibiotics, the activity of this microflora is disrupted.
Contraindications and cautions
Before you start taking vitamin B9, you should consult with your doctor. After all, folic acid, like other drugs, has contraindications.
It should not be taken when:
- lack or impaired absorption of vitamin B12;
- hemochromatosis;
- individual intolerance to the drug;
- hypersensitivity to the additive.
With long-term supplementation, you must also use vitamins E and B12. This is necessary to prevent the increase in homocysteine, which entails the deterioration of the walls of blood vessels.
Hypersensitivity or individual intolerance to vitamin B9 is usually expressed as an allergy. Therefore, before the appointment must be sure to ensure the absence of allergic reactions. Otherwise, there may be side effects (rash, swelling).
The effectiveness of this vitamin reduces its reception along with analgesics, some anticancer drugs, antibiotics, anticonvulsants.
How will excess or micronutrient deficiency affect health?
Lack of vitamin B9 can affect the development of various diseases, as it plays an important role in the functioning of the human body.
Signs of vitamin B9 deficiency:
- Disruption of the digestive system: the acidity of gastric juice decreases, appetite worsens, hydrochloric acid production decreases (and, accordingly, absorption of useful nutrients);
- Failures in the nervous system. Manifested in the form of insomnia, fatigue, depression, distraction, weakness, irritability, unjustified anxiety and fear;
- Problems during pregnancy that may affect the development of the fetus;
- Skin diseases and premature hair loss;
- Inflammation of the tongue and lips;
- Growth disorders in the child.
Also, girls who take contraceptives often have a lack of folic acid. Therefore, vitamin B9 intake is very important to avoid the above problems.
Hypovitaminosis (oversupply) of vitamin B9 can occur in very rare cases. Possible if you exceed the norm of taking medication with folic acid. Consequences of an excess of vitamin B9 - this is excessive excitability, sleep problems, disruption of the bowels. In such a situation, you should immediately consult a doctor.
Thus, the intake of this supplement is very important for human health. A positive effect on the nervous system, circulatory system and the composition of the blood, the digestive system.
Supplement is indispensable for women and men in the planning period of conception and pregnancy directly. Therefore, it is necessary to monitor the sufficient amount of taking vitamin B9 with food and vitamin complexes.
In the next video you can find out more additional information about folic acid.
