Why Folic Acid Is Important
Folic acid is one of the vitamins that make up the Vitamin B
complex. Also known as folacin and folate, this essential
nutrient serves the body in many ways. While important for all
age groups, folic acid is especially necessary to pregnant women
and important to those entering their elder years. However,
despite all its known benefits, many people fail to meet the
recommended daily intake levels, which can have real health
consequences.
Folic acid is important from the very first moment of life. In
fact, if a couple is even thinking about getting pregnant, the
woman should immediately begin to monitor her folic acid
consumption, making sure that she meets the suggested daily
intake levels. Most health care professionals recommend that
every woman of childbearing age make sufficient folic acid
consumption a nutritional priority. That is because this
nutrient is vital to the development of the baby from the moment
of conception. It can help to prevent serious birth defects in
the brain and spine, called neural tube defects. Spinal Bifida
is one of the more well known of these defects. These types of
defects usually occur within the first few weeks of development,
which means they happen before the average woman even realizes
she is pregnant.
Other important functions of folic acid within the body include,
in addition to assisting in the formation of genetic material in
each and every cell of the body, the formation of red blood
cells essential to transporting oxygen and nutrients throughout
the body and tissue growth. Folic acid, according to recent
research, has been associated with such health benefits as
protection against such debilitating diseases as Alzheimer’s
disease, some cancers and heart diseases. It is also thought to
offer a certain degree of protection from strokes.
Deficiencies in folic acid can cause a myriad of health
problems. Among them are ulcerations in the mouth, inflammation
of the tongue, peptic ulcers, and chronic diarrhea. Folic acid
deficiency can also contribute to certain kinds of anemia.
Folic acid is a water soluble nutrient, which means it flows out
of the body with the urine and the body’s supplies must be
replenished daily. Because of its great importance in the
reproductive system and the protections it offers, as well as
its role in other essential bodily functions, it is a good idea
to consider taking dietary supplements to ensure that the
recommended daily intake levels are met. Particularly in the
realm of potential birth defects of such a serious and
debilitating nature, better safe than sorry should be the
philosophy when it comes to folic acid daily intake levels.
When choosing a dietary supplement, it is always important to
read and understand the label. That will help you to ensure that
you are getting the daily intake levels of the nutrients you
seek. For example, a prenatal vitamin will focus on different
nutrients and levels of intake than a general, all-purpose daily
multi-vitamin. When planning your supplement use, make an honest
assessment of your eating habits. That way, you can select
individual supplements that match your individual dietary needs
and health goals, and avoid getting too much of some and too
little of others.
So much of good health is planning and maintaining a routine
that ensures the daily consumption of proper nutrients. Folic
acid supplements can offer a safe and sure means of meeting the
body’s daily requirements of this essential and protective
nutrient.
