The Risks Of Low Folic Acid

Folic acid, sometimes called vitamin B-9, is an essential nutrient for your body to synthesize new genetic material, or DNA and RNA, as well as for proper metabolism. Natural food sources of folic acid include spinach, asparagus, lentils and orange juice, and it is in fortified breads, cereals and juices. The daily value for folic acid is 400 mcg per day, and a mild or moderate deficiency can have devastating effects.

Anemia

Folic acid is necessary for your red blood cells to develop properly, and a deficiency can cause megaloblastic, or macrocytic, anemia. This form of anemia occurs when your red blood cells do not fully mature, and symptoms include fatigue and weakness, according to the Linus Pauling Institute Micronutrient Information Center. Another blood disorder linked to low folic acid is hypersegmentation of your neutrophils, which are white blood cells. A deficiency of vitamin B-12 and of iron are other nutritional causes of anemia.

Heart Disease

Inadequate folic acid intake can increase your risk for heart disease by preventing your levels of homocysteine from staying within normal ranges. When you eat foods with protein, your body metabolizes the amino acid called methionine into homocysteine, and then back into methionine, as part of a cycle that requires folic acid, vitamin B-12 and vitamin B-6, according to the Linus Pauling Institute Micronutrient Information Center. Low amounts of these vitamins lead to a buildup of homocysteine in your blood, which is a risk factor for heart disease.

Birth Defects

Folic acid is essential for preventing neural tube birth defects, such as spina bifida, cleft palate and brain damage, according to the University of Maryland. Neural tube development takes place within the first weeks after conception, before you may even be aware that you are pregnant. Since the process requires adequate folic acid, it is criticial to maintain a high intake if you may become pregnant. Talk to your doctor if you are trying to become pregnant or may be pregnant to make sure that you are getting enough folic acid and other essential nutrients to support fetal growth.

Alzheimer's Disease

A low intake of folic acid may increase your risk for Alzheimer's disease, according to the Linus Pauling Institute Micronutrient Information Center. Folic acid may promote the maintenance of healthy brain cells because of its role in DNA synthesis, and low folic acid may lead to more brain atrophy during aging. Other likely nutrients to reduce your chances of developing Alzheimer's disease are omega-three fatty acids, vitamin E, vitamin B-6 and vitamin B-12. Many factors contribute to the risk for Alzheimer's disease, and the effect of folic acid is not completely known.