|
You Are
Here: Healthy Way University
Folic
Acid
Folic
Acid is part of the water-soluble Vitamin B complex and functions as a
coenzyme together with Vitamins B12 and C in the breakdown and utilization
of proteins.
Folic
Acid is necessary for proper brain function being concentrated in the
spinal and extra cellular fluids.
The word
Folate, another name for folic acid, is derived from the term foliage,
which indicates where this vitamin is found: in green leafy vegetables
(broccoli, spinach, and romaine) as well as oranges, beans, rice, brewers
yeast, and liver.
The recommended
Dietary Allowance of Folic Acid is 400 micrograms for adults, 800 micrograms
during pregnancy, and 600 micrograms during lactation. Stress and disease
increase the body's need for Folic Acid, as do the consumption of alcohol,
for the elderly and use of medications.
Deficiency
of Folic Acid results in poor growth, graying hair, glossitis (tongue
inflammation), gastrointestinal tract disturbances arising from inadequate
dietary intake (diarrhea, lesions, and impaired absorption), excessive
demands by tissues of the body and metabolic disturbances.
Physicians
have given 150 milligrams of Folic Acid to children and 450 milligrams
to adults, both daily, with no report of toxicity. (1)
1. Nutrition
Almanac: Fourth Edition, by Gayla J. Kirschmann, McGraw-Hill pp. 64-66.
To
view Folic Acid products in the AskHealthyWay.com Online Store, please
click here
now.
To
return to the Healthy Way University index,
please click here.
|
