Obsessive-compulsive disorder, or OCD, can cause excessive anxiety and fear. Although vitamins play a role in your overall physical health and mental well-being, there is no evidence that folic acid helps in the prevention or treatment of OCD. Folic acid is a vitamin that your body requires to function properly. Talk to your doctor before taking vitamins, herbs or other supplements to treat OCD symptoms.
Folic Acid
Folic acid, or folate, is a member of the B group of vitamins. Folic acid is a water-soluble vitamin that your body does not store. This vitamin helps your body process carbohydrates into glucose for energy. It also plays a role in protein and fat metabolism, as well as help support the health of your liver, skin, hair and eyes. Natural food sources of folic acid include dark leafy greens, turnips, beets, soybeans, beef liver, whole grains, milk and several types of beans. Many cereal and grain products contain added amounts of folic acid for nutritional purposes. A folic acid deficiency may cause diarrhea, irritability, mental sluggishness, poor growth and gingivitis. For supplemental purposes, the daily-recommended amount of this vitamin is 400 micrograms for adults and teens over the age of 14 years old. Pregnancy and breastfeeding can increase your folic acid needs.
OCD
OCD causes irrational thoughts or worries that do not respond to reasoning. People with OCD may experience repeated thoughts or fears that tend to lessen during repetitive actions, such as repeated hand washing and following rigid rules of order. OCD usually begins in adolescence or early adulthood. Common forms of treatment include behavioral therapy and SSRI medications.
Alternative Medicine
According to NYU Langone Medical Center, proposed natural treatments for OCD include inositol, vitamin B12, St. John's wort, relaxation therapy and magnet therapy, although more research is necessary regarding the benefits of these treatments. There is no mention of folic acid in the treatment of OCD.
Precautions
Although folic acid is a safe supplement for most people, there is no evidence or indication that this vitamin can help lessen the occurrence or symptoms of OCD. Consuming just folic acid may result in an imbalance in your body of the other B vitamins. Folic acid may interact with certain medications, including tetracycline.
Member Comments