Folic acid is actually just one of the many vitamins that make up the Vitamin B complex. Also known as folacin and folate, this indispensable nutrient serves the body in more ways than one.
While very much important for all age groups, pregnant women are the ones who actually benefit the most from folic acid as well as those who getting past the prime of their lives. However, despite all of its known benefits many people fail to meet the recommended daily intake levels of folic acid which can oftentimes result to various ill-effects on a person's health.
Folic acid is highly important to a person's growth as early the period of pregnancy, while a fetus is still developing inside a mother's womb, it greatly needs to be nourished by folic acid in order for it to come out strong and healthy. In fact, if a couple is even thinking about getting pregnant, the woman should immediately begin to monitor her folic acid consumption, making sure that she meets the suggested daily intake of folic acid. Most health care professionals recommend that every woman of childbearing age make sufficient folic acid consumption a nutritional priority. This is because this nutrient is vital to the development of the baby from the moment of conception. It can help prevent serious birth defects in the brain as well as in the spine, called neural tube defects.
Spinal Bifida is one of the more well known defects that can be caused by lack of folic acid in the body. Every woman who wants to have a baby should always be conscious of her folic acid intake because these types of defects usually occur within the first few weeks of the baby's development, even way before the woman actually realizes that she is indeed pregnant.
In addition to assisting in the formation of genetic material in each and every cell of the body, other important functions of folic acid include the formation of red blood cells essential to transferring oxygen and nutrients throughout the body as well as tissue growth. Folic acid, according to recent studies has been associated with various health benefits as well as serving as protection against debilitating diseases such as Alzheimer's disease some cancers and heart diseases. It is also thought to offer a certain degree of protection from strokes.
Folic Acid deficiencies can cause a myriad of health problems. Among them are ulcerations in the mouth, inflammation of the tongue, peptic ulcers and chronic diarrhea. Folic acid deficiency can also contribute to certain kinds of anemia.
As a water soluble nutrient, Folic acid actually goes out of a person's body quite easily since it practically exits the body through the urine which is why the amount of folic acid in the body should always be replaced so as to not suffer from the consequences brought about the lack of folic acid. It is highly recommendable to actually consider taking some folic acid supplements to ensure that our bodies' folic acid levels are always replenished. This holds especially true for expectant mothers who need to ensure the good health of the babies that they're carrying. Like they always say, better safe than sorry.
When choosing a dietary supplement for your folic acid needs, it is always important to read and understand the label. This will help you to ensure that you are getting the daily suggested amount of folic acid which is needed for a person's good health as well as whether or not this supplement caters to one's specific needs. For example, something that is directly created for expecting mothers should not be taken by people who are not pregnant. Even though they both contain folic acid, they contain various levels of it that may prove to be too much or too little to some. When planning your supplement use, make an honest assessment of your eating habits. That way, you can select individual supplements that match your individual dietary needs and health goals.
Note: This article may be freely reproduced as long as the AUTHOR'S resource box at the bottom of this article is included and and all links must be Active/Linkable with no syntax changes.
Charlene J. Nuble 2005. For up to date links and information about Vitamins, please go to: http://vitamins.besthealthlink.net/ or for updated links and information on all health related topics, go to: http://vitamins.besthealthlink.net/
recurring maid service Buffalo Grove ..Simply stated, the Greek word glyco refers to "sweet." Hence,... Read More
1. Do not refrigerate vegetables and fruits (raw and uncut)... Read More
Best liquid calcium with boronNo longer is the search for... Read More
April 14,2005 federal judge Tena Campbell of the federal district... Read More
Are you concerned about taking care of your body before... Read More
Actually, my headache is not the result of just thinking... Read More
You Need Probiotics For Better Digestion and Overall HealthInside your... Read More
Antioxidants . . . The Nutrients Boost The Immune System... Read More
Your Immune system Needs BalanceTaking an immune system supplement daily... Read More
No Money in PreventionI have been recommending a wide variety... Read More
It's green, it's valuable, and it can vastly improve your... Read More
To supplement or not to supplement ? that is the... Read More
Biological oxidation involves transferring electrons from one oxygen molecule to... Read More
Vitamins are organic compounds that our bodies use, in very... Read More
It's unfortunate but many people have digestive systems that find... Read More
Do you spend at least some time in your day... Read More
Perhaps you first read riboflavin at the back of a... Read More
Vitamins and mineral supplements are a good way to supply... Read More
In parts one and two of this series, titled "Take... Read More
The more I study health and fitness, the more convinced... Read More
Over the years, amino acid usage has become more and... Read More
Protein Supplement ? whey protein.Why is protein supplement important? Protein... Read More
Haven't heard of fucose? Think it's the latest teen dance... Read More
Our bodies change as we age, and to remain vigorous,... Read More
AMLA ( EMBLICA OFFICINALIS ) FOR HEALTH AND BEAUTYAMLA, proudly... Read More
premium house cleaning Glenview ..Both types of unsaturated fatty acids are contained within neuronal... Read More
Whey protein is available in supplement form and whey protein... Read More
Since coral calcium is one of he hottest products on... Read More
How Well Does Thyrin-ATC and Other Natural Thyroid Products Work?Hypothyroidism... Read More
Rarely has a fruit that has been so unknown to... Read More
Those who start eating lemons at first symptoms of the... Read More
One of the most apparent influences modern times has brought... Read More
I've been feeling a tired and slow lately. Just don't... Read More
Imagine this scenario by the end of next August...You contact... Read More
The Greek word "Glyco" means, "Sugar". Most people think of... Read More
A popular mineral today, coral calcium, is mainly calcium, but... Read More
Researchers working at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center state that... Read More
Considering that the Health and Wellness industry is currently a... Read More
PART ONEThe word Glyconutrients, is not a Brand, or Company... Read More
If you suffer from arthritis pain, chances are you've heard... Read More
Discount Supplement ? what is it?Discount supplement is a term... Read More
There are a host of choices for supplementing your Ironman... Read More
In July of 1995, the United States Department of Agriculture... Read More
If you read my last article about bitter orange, it... Read More
The growing numbers of health conscious people today living more... Read More
Whey protein concentrate popularity has increased dramatically in recent years... Read More
Fat Loss Supplement ? what is it?What is a fat... Read More
Americans are buzzing about the FDA's recent decision to reverse... Read More
Ecdysterone is a powerful compound that can help to maximise... Read More
The benefits of whey protein are so numerous and apply... Read More
Nutritional Supplements |