Folic Acid Deficiency
A person suffering from folic acid deficiency will have very low levels of vitamin B9 more commonly called folic acid. When the body is unable to absorb folic acid from the food a person eats, or the amount of folic acid that a person requires becomes greater (as in the case of women who are pregnant or people who suffering from medical conditions like sickle cell disease) a folic acid deficiency ensues.
Folic acid is a type of water-soluble B vitamin, manufactured by bacteria found in the intestines, absorbed from there and stored within the liver until it is released when needed. Folic acid plays a critical part in the manufacture of new cells, including red blood cells, and is important component of the body’s RNA and DNA.
Folic acid deficiency is a common and widespread vitamin deficiency that affects more men than women. Folic acid deficiency usually occurs when a person is 30 years and older because as the body grows older, the ability to absorb folic acid is impeded. In addition to age, the inability to absorb folic acid may be due to several factors, which include alcohol abuse (the most common cause of folic acid deficiency) and kidney diseases that require dialysis or regular blood cleansing processes. Certain medications for cancer, seizures, rheumatoid arthritis, and AIDS may also cause folic acid deficiency as one of their side effects.
When the body is unable to get sufficient amounts of folic acid, a condition known as folic acid deficiency (megaloblastic) anemia occurs.
In folic acid anemia there are abnormally few and abnormally large red blood cells in circulation, and these abnormal cells are unable to carry a sufficient supply of oxygen. A lack of adequate oxygen makes a person feel constantly tired and weak.
Folic acid can help prevent major birth defects of the baby’s brain and spine, and women need 400 micrograms (mcg) of folic acid every day. Folic acid is very important because it can help prevent some major birth defects of the baby's brain and spine (anencephaly and spina bifida) by 50% to 70%. In fact, one-half of all birth defects, lower birth weight, and adverse pregnancy outcomes are attributed to folic acid deficiency in pregnant women. If a women is planning on getting pregnant, then she should start taking a pharmaceutical-grade supplement starting at least one month before getting pregnant, to help prevent major birth defects of the baby's brain and spine.
If you think you have a Folic acid deficiency, then you should see a Family Practice, Internal Medicine, or Gastroenterology specialist. |
