There is a reason why pregnant women are always advised to take folic acid in tablets. This prevents nerve, brain, or spinal cord defects in babies.
But folic acid is also important for other people. The other name for folic acid is vitamin B9, which naturally occurs in foods such as dark leafy vegetables, asparagus and brussel sprouts.
Folic acid is particularly important for women during pregnancy, especially during the first trimester, a time of fast cell division and DNA production, "said Tory Armal, spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and Maternal and Prenatal Nutrition.
Folic acid is an important vitamin that just helps your body to be healthy. "Our bodies create DNA and form new cells all the time just to stay healthy," says Armle.
The problem is that the body does not form folic acid alone, so you should take it through food or supplements. When you do not get enough of it, some pretty unpleasant symptoms may occur.
What are the symptoms of folic acid deficiency?
The biggest sign of folic acid deficiency is megaloblastic anemia, a condition where the body has a low red blood cell count. If you have folic acid deficiency, your red blood cell count may decrease. This may deprive your tissues of oxygen, resulting in symptoms such as weakness, fatigue and irritability, headaches, air shortages, concentration problems.
Cervical and skin cells are updated very often, so it is also common to see the first signs of folic acid deficiency with symptoms such as mouth or tongue wounds; color or paleness of the skin; premature hair coloring.
Talk to your doctor if you have several of the above symptoms. While many health problems can cause headaches and fatigue, your doctor may take a blood test to confirm a deficiency of folic acid.
But do you really have to worry about folate deficiency?
Deficiency of folic acid is not so prevalent, especially if you are taking a variety of nutrients. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimate that less than 1% of the population really suffers from folic acid deficiency.
However, some people are at higher risk of folate deficiency than others. Those who suffer from alcoholism, for example, tend to not eat properly and have damaged systems - say, liver that can not function properly, and hence poor digestion and absorption of nutrients, says Armal.
People who suffer from gastrointestinal problems, heart problems and inflammatory bowel disease are also exposed to a higher risk of folate deficiency due to increased chances of nutritional malabsorption.
Women in the early stages of pregnancy may also be at risk of getting inadequate amounts of folic acid, partly because when you are pregnant, your need for folic acid rises (the baby grows), while on the other hand, your appetite may is diminishing, notes Armal.
Folic acid deficiency anemia happens once your body doesn't have enough B vitamin. B vitamin is one among the B vitamins, and it helps your body build new cells, together with new red blood cells. ... If you do not have enough red blood cells, you've got anemia, which may cause you to feel weak and tired.