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What is folic acid - the name sounds ominous - and why should I take a daily dose?
I've heard various friends, when speaking of medications, mention taking a folic acid pill daily - I'm wondering why?
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1
Expert Answers
JKJones (Pharmacist (Verified) ) - 01 / 08 / 2011
1 vote(s) by
murray
Folic acid is the man-made form of folate. Folate is essential and needed by everyone. Folate belongs to the family of B vitamins and it is a water-soluble vitamin. Folate is vital for the synthesis and production of red and white blood cells.
Folate plays a vital role in preventing diseases, such as heart disease, stroke, depression, cancer, diabetes, anemia, macular degeneration, and so on.
Some people who need folic acid are:
- In infancy because there is rapid cell growth and division.
- If you are planning for pregnancy, pregnant, or breast feeding.
- If you often consume more than one alcoholic drink per day.
- Certain medications may cause a depletion of folic acid.
For a diet that is not well balanced and does not include the foods listed below, Folic Acid 400 microgram tablets may be purchased over the counter at your local pharmacy.
Excellent sources of folic acid include:
- Grain products such as whole wheat, fortified flour, fortified cereals
- In meat and beans, such as eggs, beans, sunflower seeds, black-eye peas, great northern beans, legumes and liver
- Vegetables are an excellent source, such as asparagus, green peas, broccoli, and leafy green vegetables.
- Fruits such as oranges, strawberries, cantaloupes, and other melons.
http://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/folate/
http://ohioline.osu.edu/hyg-fact/5000/5553.html
http://www.womenshealth.gov/faq/folic-acid.cfm#a
Folate plays a vital role in preventing diseases, such as heart disease, stroke, depression, cancer, diabetes, anemia, macular degeneration, and so on.
Some people who need folic acid are:
- In infancy because there is rapid cell growth and division.
- If you are planning for pregnancy, pregnant, or breast feeding.
- If you often consume more than one alcoholic drink per day.
- Certain medications may cause a depletion of folic acid.
For a diet that is not well balanced and does not include the foods listed below, Folic Acid 400 microgram tablets may be purchased over the counter at your local pharmacy.
Excellent sources of folic acid include:
- Grain products such as whole wheat, fortified flour, fortified cereals
- In meat and beans, such as eggs, beans, sunflower seeds, black-eye peas, great northern beans, legumes and liver
- Vegetables are an excellent source, such as asparagus, green peas, broccoli, and leafy green vegetables.
- Fruits such as oranges, strawberries, cantaloupes, and other melons.
http://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/folate/
http://ohioline.osu.edu/hyg-fact/5000/5553.html
http://www.womenshealth.gov/faq/folic-acid.cfm#a
1
Shared Experiences
member8435 (Current Patient) - 01 / 08 / 2011
Folic Acid is merely a vitamin supplement. Certain drugs, especially chemo based drugs like Methotrexate strips your body over time of folic acid causing many more health problems. It is very important to take this supplement when advised by your doctor to do so, especially in the event of heavy drugs that prohibit cell reproduction.
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