the B vitamin folic acid is the synthetic form of folate. It may be found in many fortified, grain-based food products, such as cereals, grains and breads. Neither a deficiency nor an overdose of folic acid typically result in headaches. If you suffer from chronic headaches, speak with your healthcare provider regarding treatment options.
Headache
According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, doctors recognize four types of headaches: muscle contraction, vascular, traction and inflammatory. The most common type of vascular headache is the migraine, which is characterized by severe pain in the head, abdominal discomfort and disturbed vision. The type of headache can indicate its cause. For instance, cluster headaches often result from high blood pressure, while muscle contraction headaches may occur due to muscular tension in the neck. Speak with your healthcare provider regarding your symptoms to pinpoint the cause of the headache.
Folic Acid
While folate is a naturally occurring vitamin in foods, folic acid is available as a supplement or in fortified food products and is more easily digested and absorbed by the body. The American Cancer Society explains that folic acid plays a crucial role in cellular and DNA synthesis and prevents certain health complications, such as heart disease, hypertension, Alzheimer's disease or chronic fatigue syndrome. Furthermore, an adequate amount of folic acid is essential for pregnant women, as it plays a key role in the development of the neural tube in the fetus. Inadequate amounts of folic acid may result in anemia or birth defects, such as spina bifida.
Remedies
The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke recommends several remedies to soothe vascular headaches, such as drug therapy, stress reduction, biofeedback training and the elimination of certain foods. Regular physical activity may also alleviate the frequency and severity of migraine headaches, in particular. Drug therapy is often utilized in conjunction with biofeedback and relaxation training.
Considerations
Maintaining a journal of headache frequency and environmental factors may help to understand the cause of the headache. For instance, you may notice that stress or consumption of certain food products influence headache severity. Frequent or recurring headaches warrant a trip to the doctor, as they may be an indication of more serious health conditions. Blood work, CT scans or MRIs may be necessary to discover the cause of the headache. Either way, until further notice, it is not recommended to prematurely alter your intake of folic acid, because it is an essential part of a healthy diet. Discuss additional medications or supplements you take with your healthcare provider, as those may also help to identify the cause of the headache.
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