Folic acid is the synthetic form of vitamin B-9. In its natural form it is referred to as folate. It's water soluble, which means that when you consume large dosages of it, any amounts that are not needed for immediate use by your body are excreted in your urine. This is good in a way, because it's rare that folic acid reaches toxic levels in the body. But because your body doesn't store excess folic acid, it's important to consume an adequate dosage of it daily. Consult your doctor if you suspect you have a folic acid deficiency.
Sources of Folic Acid
The word "folate" is derived from "folium," the Latin word for leaf. This derivation occurred due to the observation that green leafy vegetables are high in folate. Many processed foods that are not naturally high in folate, such as pasta and bread, are fortified with folic acid. If your diet is low in folate, you can obtain B-9 by taking folic acid supplements. In fact, the Linus Pauling Institute advises adults to take a 400mcg folic acid supplement daily, in addition to the folate obtained through natural dietary sources and the folic acid consumed in fortified foods.
Megaloblastic Anemia
Folic acid is important for the formation of red blood cells. If your folic acid levels fall to low, you may experience megaloblastic anemia. This condition causes lower red blood cell production and an increase in the production of abnormally large red blood cells called megaloblasts. If you have megaloblastic anemia, you will feel tired, weak and short of breath, due to your body's reduced capacity to transport oxygen to the tissues and organs that require it.
Birth Defects
Obtaining adequate folic acid is especially crucial for women who are pregnant, or are thinking of becoming pregnant. According to the Office of Dietary Supplements, folic acid deficiency prior to and in the early stages of pregnancy can lead to birth defects of the neural tube, the developing organs of the spine and brain. Spina bifida and anencephaly, a condition wherein a child is born a large portion of the brain missing, can result from folic acid deficiency in early pregnancy.
Considerations
Megaloblastic anemia can be caused by both B-12 deficiency and folic acid deficiency. If you have megaloblastic anemia it is crucial that you consult a doctor who can diagnose the precise cause of your condition. In addition to megaloblastic anemia, B-12 deficiency can cause nerve damage. If you mistakenly take folic acid for a B-12 deficiency, your megaloblastic anemia will be resolved, but the nerve damage will continue unabated and could become permanent.
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