Folic acid deficiency can lead to a number of health problems such as anemia, fatigue, weakness, memory problems and immune system problems. Therefore, it is important to maintain folic acid levels with a balanced diet and supplements when necessary. Folic acid is found naturally in many food sources, such as green leafy vegetables, beans, peas, lentils and grains. It is also artificially added to flour and grain products in many countries. Thanks to these rich food sources, folic acid deficiency is rare. However, increasing folic acid intake before and during pregnancy is of critical importance in preventing birth defects such as neural tube defects.
Folic acid is the synthetic form of vitamin B9. The natural form of vitamin B9 is called folate. Folate is a vitamin that plays a role in many important functions in the body. Folic acid is necessary for:
- Production of red blood cells: Folic acid plays an important role in the production of red blood cells. Red blood cells carry oxygen to the body.
- DNA and RNA synthesis: Folic acid is necessary in DNA and RNA synthesis. DNA and RNA are the building blocks of cells.
- Cell division: Folic acid is necessary in cell division.
Folic acid is especially important for pregnant women. Folic acid helps reduce the risk of neural tube defects in the baby. Neural tube defects are birth defects that occur in the development of the brain and spinal cord. Folic acid can often be taken as a supplement. Folic acid supplements are recommended for pregnant women, breastfeeding women, older adults, and people with certain health problems.
What causes low folate?
Low blood folate is a condition that occurs when the body does not receive enough folate or the body cannot absorb folate properly. “Why does folate decrease in the blood?” For your question, the causes of low folate are:
- Not enought feeding: Foliate is found in a variety of foods such as green leafy vegetables, legumes, fruits and grains. Insufficient folate intake can cause folate deficiency.
- Some medications: Some medications can reduce the absorption of foliate. These medications include anticonvulsants, cancer drugs, and some antibiotics.
- Some health problems: Some health problems can cause folate deficiency. These diseases include celiac disease, Crohn’s disease and liver disease.
- Pregnancy: During pregnancy, the need for folyte increases. Folite deficiency may increase the risk of neural tube defects in the baby.
How to fix low folate?
Low blood folate is a condition that occurs when the body does not receive enough folate or the body cannot absorb folate properly. Low folate in the blood can be corrected with folic acid supplementation. Folic acid supplements are usually taken at 1 mg per day. However, if an underlying health problem causes folate deficiency, treatment of this problem may also be necessary.
Folic acid supplements used in the treatment of low folate are generally in the form of tablets or capsules. Folic acid supplements should be taken as recommended by your doctor. The goal of treating low folate is to return blood folate levels to the normal range. After starting treatment with folic acid supplements, blood folate levels usually return to the normal range within a few weeks. To prevent folate deficiency, it may be helpful to take the following precautions:
- Consuming foods rich in folate: Consuming foliate-rich foods such as green leafy vegetables, legumes, fruits and grains can help prevent folate deficiency.
- Taking folic acid supplements during pregnancy: Pregnant women are recommended to take 400 mcg of folic acid supplements daily to reduce the risk of neural tube defects in the baby.
Foods rich in folate include:
- Green leafy vegetables: Spinach, kale, broccoli, lettuce
- brown rice
- Chickpeas, beans, lentils
- Egg yolk
- Liver
Pregnant women should take 400 mcg of folic acid supplements daily to reduce the risk of neural tube defects in the baby.
What to eat for low folate?
Folic acid is found in a variety of foods such as green leafy vegetables, legumes, fruits and grains. Consuming foods rich in folate may help prevent or treat folate deficiency. Foods rich in folate include:
- green leafy vegetables
- brown rice
- Chickpeas, beans, lentils
- Egg yolk
- Liver
Nutritional recommendations for low folate are:
- Make sure to consume green leafy vegetables at every meal. Green leafy vegetables such as spinach, kale, broccoli and lettuce are the best sources of foliate.
- Consume legumes several times a week. Legumes such as chickpeas, beans and lentils are rich in foliate.
- Choose whole grains. Whole grains are rich in foliate.
- Consume egg yolk and liver several times a week. Egg yolk and liver are good sources of foliate.
What should those with folic acid deficiency do?
Folate deficiency may be a symptom of an underlying health problem. Seeing a doctor is important to diagnose the underlying problem and administer appropriate treatment. In addition to seeing a doctor, folate-rich foods should be consumed. Folate is found in a variety of foods such as green leafy vegetables, legumes, fruits and grains. Consuming foods rich in folate may help prevent or treat folate deficiency. Those who suffer from folate deficiency should pay attention to the following:
- Should reduce alcohol and cigarette consumption. Alcohol and smoking can reduce folate absorption.
- Must have a healthy weight. Obesity may reduce folate absorption.
- Should exercise regularly. Exercise may increase folate absorption.
- Make sure to consume green leafy vegetables at every meal. Green leafy vegetables such as spinach, kale, broccoli and lettuce are the best sources of foliate.
- Consume legumes several times a week. Legumes such as chickpeas, beans and lentils are rich in foliate.
- Choose whole grains. Whole grains are rich in foliate.
- Consume egg yolk and liver several times a week. Egg yolk and liver are good sources of foliate.
What diseases does folic acid deficiency cause?
Folic acid deficiency can lead to the following diseases:
- Anemia: Folic acid plays an important role in the production of red blood cells. A deficiency of folic acid can cause a decrease in the production of red blood cells, which can lead to anemia. Anemia can cause symptoms such as fatigue, weakness, shortness of breath and dizziness.
- Neural tube defect: Folic acid helps reduce the risk of neural tube defects in the baby. Folic acid deficiency may increase the risk of neural tube defects in the baby. Neural tube defects are birth defects that occur in the development of the brain and spinal cord. Spina bifida and anencephaly are the two most common types of neural tube defects.
- Birth defects: Folic acid may also help reduce the baby’s risk of other birth defects. Folic acid deficiency may increase the baby’s risk of other birth defects, such as heart disease, spinal defects, and mouth and dental deformities.
- Other health problems: Folic acid deficiency can also lead to other health problems. Folic acid deficiency has been linked to diseases such as depression, Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease.
What happens if folic acid deficiency is not treated?
Folic acid deficiency can lead to a number of health problems if left untreated. Folic acid (folate) is a form of vitamin B9, an essential B vitamin for the body, and plays an important role in many biological processes such as cellular functions, DNA synthesis and cell division. Folic acid deficiency can cause the following health problems:
Anemia: A deficiency of folic acid can affect the production of new red blood cells in the body, leading to a type of anemia called megaloblastic anemia. Anemia can manifest itself with symptoms such as fatigue, weakness, paleness and shortness of breath.
Neural Tube Defects: Insufficient folic acid intake before and during pregnancy may increase the risk of the fetus having congenital abnormalities such as neural tube defects. This may include spinal cord or brain anomalies in the baby.
Immune Problems: Folic acid deficiency can affect the normal functioning of the immune system and increase vulnerability to infections.
Memory Problems: Vitamin B9 deficiency can lead to neurological problems such as lack of concentration, memory problems and mental fog.
Development Problems: Folic acid deficiency in children can cause growth and development problems.
Folic acid deficiency usually occurs due to reasons such as eating habits or absorption problems. If left untreated, these health problems can progress and negatively affect quality of life. When folic acid deficiency is diagnosed, treatments such as folic acid supplements and dietary changes are often recommended. Therefore, it is important to consult a healthcare professional when symptoms of folic acid deficiency are noticed or if risk factors are present.
Is low folate dangerous in men?
Low folate in men is dangerous. Folic acid is a vitamin necessary for the production of red blood cells, DNA and RNA synthesis, and cell division. Some specific health problems that folate deficiency in men can cause include:
- Heart disease: Folic acid deficiency may increase the risk of heart disease.
- Stroke: Folic acid deficiency may increase the risk of stroke.
- Liver disease: Folic acid deficiency may increase the risk of liver disease.
- Prostate cancer: Folic acid deficiency may increase the risk of prostate cancer.
- Early death: Folic acid deficiency may increase the risk of premature death.