Folic
Acid Benefits
By John Gibb
Folic acid is one of the B vitamins and it is necessary for the
production of red blood cells and normal metabolism. It is an important
vitamin for pregnant women as it can prevent the occurrence of birth
defects and prevents infant spinal cord defects - for example Spina
bifida.
Folic acid may also help
other conditions such as depression, schizophrenia, arthrosclerosis,
heart disease, and diarrhea. It can also be helpful in treating
epilepsy gingivitis, gout, and cancer - the risk of getting it is
reduced.
Folic Acid Benefits
One of the best benefits
of Folic Acid is for women who are trying to fall pregnant, and
those who are pregnant. Folic Acid helps with the healthy development
of the fetus, and can help to prevent conditions such as spina bifida
and other neural tube defects that are known as devastating conditions.
To be honest, folic acid
benefits go much further than just pregnancy. Folic Acid helps with
keeping your heart healthy. The nutrient helps lower homocysteine
levels; having high homocysteine impairs blood vessels, which, results
in the arteries being vulnerable to the formation of plaque.
This can lead to a higher
risk of one getting heart disease. It also known that, people who
have trouble with depression, may find folic acid helpful because
depression is associated with raised levels of homocysteine.
Further Folic Acid benefits
in clued a feeling of energy, and it is known that this nutrient
may help counter and combat Alzheimer’s disease.
Precautions
Folic acid can have some
serious side effects if to much is taken every day. Dangerous levels
of consumption are between 5,000 to 10,000 mcg. The RDA (Recommended
Daily Allowance) stands at 400 mcg per day, however certain people
(especially pregnant women, those trying to conceive and the elderly)
may need more of this particular nutrient in their diets.
Another point
people need to consider is that taking Folic Acidi as a supplement
can hide serious deficiency symptoms of vitamin B12 (anemia). Take
a look at this we came cross in the following encyclopedia "New
Encyclopedia Vitamins, Minerals, Supplements, & Herbs"
by Nicola Reavley "Large amounts of folic acid can mask anemia
caused by Vitamin B12 deficiency. Although this is rare, in some
cases it may lead to permanent nerve damage." pg. 108
Because of this statement,
the author of the book advises that people with anemia should not
take more than 400 mcg of folic acid per day unless pernicious amenia
is first ruled out by your doctor. Some people suggest that Folic
Acid should not be consumed as a stand alone supplement and taken
with vitamin B12 or as part of a more comprehensive formula where
not only b12 are used, but other important vitamins, minerals, herbs,
and amino acids.
Lets take a look at an
example from, Reader's Digest book "The Healing Power of Vitamins,
Minerals, and Herbs" contains: Buy a folic acid supplement
that also contains vitamin B12 (too much of one can mask a deficiency
in the other)." pg 293
A deficiency of folic
acid could cause some Anemias. The side effects of Folic Acid are
rare and are normally due to taking high dosages of the nutrient.
If any change occurs after starting a regimen of folic acid, contact
your physician immediately. If necessary, go to an emergency facility
for evaluation.
Precautions and allergic
reactions from Folic Acid
Allergic reactions however,
can be serious. Some signs of severe allergic reactions include
rash, itching, swelling, dizziness, and breathing difficulties.
If you note anything that is not usual for you, seek medical attention
right away.
Pregnant women and breast
feeding mothers should consult their doctors before using this nutrient.
In recent news, reported
is a unique piece of information that has been put out there that
may be of interest to women who want to get pregnant. Folic acid,
when taken after fertility treatment (invitro fertilization) may
raise the odds of producing twins. While this is possible with other
fertility treatments, it has been recently found to occur with folic
acid.
Our Opinion
We believe many vitamins
are best consumed through food sources; however, Folic Acid is not
one of these nutrients. The nutrient is easily destroyed and the
value of the nutrient is lessened by cooking or storage. On top
of this, the human body doesn’t store the nutrient for very
long. This is why we need to take this nutrient daily to keep on
top. Because of what we have said, many experts suggest that supplements
should be incorporated in to ones diet for one of the best sources
of folic acid benefits, and also, for those people who need more
of this nutrient.
There are still good
food sources for Folic Acid however, which include, whole grains,
various beans, and green vegetables.
On a final note, many
foods today are fortified with this vitamin, although they are not
the best sources and are far from natural sources.
Our Tips For Obtaining
The Best Folic Acid Benefits
1. Nutritional have become
unregulated. Studies have shown that consumers of health products
only have a 1 in 5 chance of buying a product with the amount of
ingredients stated on the label. Also, Products have been found
to have dangerous contaminates in them.
Because of this, you
should choose a manufacturer that is pharmaceutical GMP compliant.
Such places comply with the most stringent manufacturing standards.
This ensures you get a product with the stated ingredients, and
also, ensures that there are no contaminants within your chosen
product
The product we personally
use called Total Balance is the best supplement we have come across.
we have been using this supplement for over 3 years with excellent
health results.
We highly reccomend you
take a further look in to our supplement of choice if you are interested
in improving your overall health
John Gibb is the owner
of a series of health web sites. Check out our benefits of folic
acid, to view the alternative health supplement we personally use
for over 2 years now with excellent health results.
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