Folic acid, the man-made form of the vitamin folate, works to make new red cells in your body. According to Women'sHealth.gov, most women do not get all of the folic acid they need through dietary means alone and will need to take folic acid supplements. Folic acid does come with side effects, but it does not cause hot flashes. Consult with your physician before taking any over-the-counter-supplements.
Folic Acid
Folic acid or folate is naturally found in foods such as green leafy vegetables, beets, oranges and lentils. Folic acid works in your body to prevent changes in DNA and to maintain new cells. Folic acid supplements are prescribed to treat folic acid deficiency, or certain forms of anemia that stem from folic acid deficiency, as stated by Drugs.com.
Hot Flashes
A hot flash is a sensation of warmth that comes over your body beginning from the head and moving downward. Hot flashes normally occur when there are mixed signals in the hypothalamus, which is your body’s temperature regulator. Hot flashes can ensue after taking certain medications or due to the hormonal changes that occur during menopause. Folic acid usage is not associated with hot flashes.
Folic Acid Overdose
The recommended daily allowance of folic acid per day for both men and women is 400 mcg. This dose may be exceeded if your physician feels that you run the risk of developing folic acid deficiency or during pregnancy. However, taking more than the recommended daily allowance stated can cause folic acid toxicity. Symptoms of folic acid toxicity are numbness or tingling pain in the tongue or mouth, weakness, fatigue, trouble concentrating and confusion.
Considerations
Contact your physician if you have unexplained hot flashes or hot flashes that started after taking folic acid. Folic acid causes interactions with certain medications, which may cause hot flashes. Notify your physician if you are taking medications before you begin taking folic acid supplements.
