What Happens To The Body If Folic Acid Stays At Low Levels?

Folic acid is a B vitamin required by the body for a variety of functions. Inadequate folic acid intake impairs DNA synthesis which results in microcytic anemia, state Ellie Whitney and Sharon Rolfes in their 2008 textbook, "Understanding Nutrition." Pregnant women deficient in folic acid are at risk for having a baby with neural tube defects, the most common of which is spina bifida. Other signs of folic acid deficiency include impaired growth, tongue inflammation, depression and diarrhea. If you need assistance in increasing the folic acid content of your diet, consult a registered dietitian for guidance.

Requirements

The recommended dietary allowance for folic acid is 400 mcg per day for adults. Food sources of this vitamin, which is also known as folate, include green leafy vegetables, dried beans and legumes, orange juice, milk, yogurt, bread and ready-to-eat breakfast cereals. Be sure your diet includes a variety of these foods on a daily basis. According to "Understanding Nutrition," high heat can destroy folate bioavailability, so make sure your food choices are served fresh or lightly cooked. If you have concerns regarding your low folate intake, consult a registered dietitian for guidance.

Microcytic Anemia

Folic acid plays a role in the formation of deoxyribonucleic acid, or DNA. DNA is an important carrier of the genetic information required to make new cells. A folic acid deficiency prevents new red blood cells in the body from dividing, since they are lacking needed DNA. As a result, according to "Understanding Nutrition," new proteins and other cellular parts continue to be made, so the cell grows in size without dividing. The resulting large, immature cells are called megaloblasts. As a consequence, there are few mature red blood cells in the bloodstream. One of the main functions of red blood cells is to carry oxygen. With fewer cells available, a type of anemia known as megaloblastic, or microcytic, anemia occurs. In a 2005 article appearing online in "BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology," Dr. Brian Hibbard says that both white blood cell formation and overall body growth is adversely affected because of this.

Neural Tube Defects

A folic acid deficiency during pregnancy increases the risk of defects in neural tube development in your baby. The most common of these defects is spina bifida, a condition where incomplete back-bone formation results in an exposed spinal cord. Babies born with this can be paralyzed, incontinent and have learning disabilities, in addition other health problems. Brain development can also be severely impacted; a baby born without a brain will die shortly after birth. Because the neural tube closes during the first 28 days of pregnancy, adequate folic acid intake prior to conception is essential. Folic acid RDA during pregnancy is 600 mcg per day.

Others

Other signs of folic acid deficiency include depression, mental confusion, nerve problems, tongue inflammation, diarrhea and poor growth. Schedule an appointment with a health-care provider if you experience these symptoms or suspect your folic acid status is low.