What R the main benefits of folic acid?

Question

Markedly 4 women?

Answer 1

Folic acid is part of the water-soluble B-complex group. It is essential in preventing certain birth defects during pregnancy. Most Americans do not get enough in their diet.

It is not surprising that a folic acid deficiency has been implicated in a wide variety of disorders from Alzheimer's disease to atherosclerosis, heart attack, stroke, osteoporosis, cervical and colon cancer, depression, dementia, cleft lip and palate, hearing loss, and of course, neural tube defects.

Folic acid (folinic acid, folacin, pteroylglutamic acid) is essential for the synthesis of adenine and thymine, two of the four nucleic acids that make up our genes, DNA and chromosomes. It is also required for the proper metabolism of the essential amino acid methionine that is found primarily in animal proteins. A folic acid deficiency has been clearly linked to an elevated level of homocysteine, a sulfur-containing amino acid. High homocysteine levels, in turn, have been linked to cardiovascular disease and a host of other undesirable conditions.

It is unfortunately, estimated that 88 per cent of all North Americans suffer from a folic acid deficiency. Obviously, the standard diet does not supply what we need. This has led to the fortification of cereals and other foodstuffs to try to ensure a minimum daily intake of 0.4 mg/day. Although beans and green vegetables like spinach and kale are good sources of folic acid, relatively few people eat lots of vegetables and cooking destroys most of the folate anyway. Realizing the poor availability from the diet many medical researchers now advocate daily supplementation with folic acid. Because folic acid needs the catalysts vitamins B12 and B6 to carry out its functions effectively it is usual to supplement with a combination of the three. Dosage recommendations for folic acid vary between 0.4 mg/day and 10 mg/day or more depending on the severity of the deficiency and the health problem to be overcome. The RDA for adults is now 0.4 mg/day and 0.6 mg/day for pregnant women. Recommendations for vitamin B12 generally range from 0.5 to 1.0 mg/day and for vitamin-B6 from 10 to 250 mg/day.

The above is from the Internet (just google "folic acid") but Adelle Davis, perhaps the foremost authority on human nutrition, recommends as much as 2 mg/day. Most B-complex vitamins contain as little as 400 mcg (micrograms, not milligrams!) - not nearly enough. It's not expensive and it's a wise investment to protect your health, especially during pregnancy. Because it's water-soluble, you can't overdose on it.

Answer 2

Folic acid helps the body make healthy new cells. Some studies show that folic acid might help prevent heart disease, stroke, some cancers, and possibly Alzheimer’s disease.

All women need folic acid. When a woman has enough folic acid before and during pregnancy, it can help prevent major birth defects of her baby’s brain or spine.

PREGNANCY: Women need to be sure get enough folic acid every day. Start before you are pregnant. Folic acid is needed during the first few weeks, often before a woman knows she is pregnant. And half of all pregnancies in the U.S. are not planned. That is why it’s so important to start taking folic acid each day, even when you are not planning to get pregnant.

Answer 3

It's needed for the formation of red and white blood cells and it's also very important in the formation of DNA. It's most important for women of child bearing age to be getting enough folic acid before they get pregnant, and to be at the recommended amount during their pregnancy.

A deficiency in folic acid can cause serious birth defects such as spinal bifida (an incomplete closure of the spinal cord and spinal column), anencephaly (severe underdevelopment of the brain), and encephalocele (when brain tissue protrudes out to the skin from an abnormal opening in the skull). All of these defects occur during the first 28 days of pregnancy - usually before a woman even knows she's pregnant - that's why its so important to be getting enough folic acid before you find that you are pregnant.

Answer 4

The most dramatic benefit of folic acid is its demonstrated ability to reduce the incidence of neural tube defects (such as spina bifida). If a woman is getting the recommended intake of 400mcg (micrograms), her chances of having a baby that is born with spina bifida or anencephaly are reduced by 50-70%. These defects of the brain and spinal column occur in about 1 in 15000 babies.

Folic acid has been strongly associated with reductions in heart and cardiovascular disease. It is the key factor in reducing levels of the amino acid homocysteine.

A team of American & Chinese researchers have discovered that folic acid is highly effective in preventing breast cancer. It was found that a daily intake of 345mcg or more had a 38% lower risk than did women who took less than 195mcg. The protective effect was even more pronounced in women who also had a high dietary intake of vitamin B6, vitamin B12, and methionine.

Adequate folic acid intake can materially reduce the risk of developing pancreatic cancer. Risk of developing colon cancer is reduced by as much as 75%

A low or deficient blood level of folic acid has been detected in 15-35% of adults suffering from depression. It's also been found that low levels of folic acid put you at higher risk for developing Alzheimer's Disease.

Answer 5

Folic acid is used to treat or prevent certain anemias caused by poor diet, pregnancy, alcoholism, liver disease, certain stomach/intestinal problems, kidney dialysis, or other conditions. This medication helps to relieve symptoms such as unusual tiredness and diarrhea that can occur with these types of anemias. Women of childbearing age should maintain adequate amounts of folic acid either through diet or supplements to prevent infant spinal cord birth defects.

Folic acid is a B-complex vitamin needed to form healthy cells, especially red blood cells.

Answer 6

Folic Acid is good for pregnant women to take as it helps prevent birth defects.

Answer 7

folic acid can help those woman who want to be pregnant?

Answer 8

It helps your blood flow smoothly and it also gives vitamin C, it increases your body resistance against sickness.

Answer 9

This is what men try and get you take when they think you are not bonking them enough...

Answer 10

http://www.jonesbahamas.com/?c=53&a=7030

^ This site is pretty helpful.