In most people, vitamin B9 (folic acid) is associated with preparing for pregnancy and having a baby. However, many nutritionists claim that he is able to assist in weight loss. According to reviews, folic acid for weight loss quickly eliminates extra pounds. The article will discuss the features of the use of vitamin B9, its advantages and disadvantages.
What is folic acid?
It is a water-soluble compound that takes part in the formation and maintenance of the immune and circulatory system. They began to study it most actively in the 30s of the last century, and artificially synthesized in 1945.
Folic acid for weight loss has the following properties:
- Improves protein synthesis.
- Supports immunity.
- Helps increase the efficiency of brain cells.
- Accelerates the processes of regeneration and metabolism.
- Heals the skin.
- Increases the production of serotonin - the hormone of joy.
Due to its positive properties, folic acid is able to provide indispensable help not only in weight loss, but also to prevent many pathological conditions.
How does vitamin B9 work?
Before taking folic acid, you need to understand how it works. Do not hope that after taking it, a sharp loss of excess weight will begin.
According to reviews, folic acid for weight loss can normalize or speed up many processes. Her intake can positively affect the metabolism and breakdown of body fat, which will reduce the volume of problem areas. The body with its help quickly gets rid of decay products, toxins and other harmful substances.
The main role of vitamin B9 is manifested in deficiency of glucose in the body, which is involved in energy production.
Folic acid also takes part in lipolysis (the breakdown of fats) and their removal from the body.
People who take this vitamin should understand that it is not a panacea. It does not suppress appetite, does not act as a diuretic or laxative.
However, folic acid can relieve depression. In such people, homocysteine is usually elevated. Vitamin B9 provokes its breakdown, improves mood and interest in life.
Daily intake of vitamin
To maintain the desired level of folic acid, you need to organize its sufficient intake. Infants up to six months a day need 65 mcg of vitamin B9, up to a year - 80 mcg, from 1-3 years old - 150 mcg, from 3 years to adolescence - 200 mcg.
The optimal norm of folic acid per day for an adult is 200-300 mcg. For pregnant women, this figure is 600 mcg.
Folic Acid Weight Loss Form
Vitamin B9 can be taken as part of food or as a medicine. The second option gives the greatest effect:
- In the pharmacy, folic acid can be purchased in the form of tablets, capsules or powder. All forms are available for weight loss. It is only important to organize the use of folic acid in the correct dosage. It is best to buy it at a pharmacy, where there is the possibility of acquiring a quality and certified drug.
- The preference for vitamin intake in foods is given to people who do not trust medicines. This is a good option, but you need to know exactly in what sources and in what quantity vitamin B9 is contained. These products include cereals (buckwheat, oat, rice), any greens or green vegetables, legumes, tomatoes, sesame, flaxseed, etc. Do not forget about the liver, all kinds of nuts and citrus fruits. Products containing folic acid are classified as low-calorie, so they must be included in the diet of losing weight. Thanks to this, you can create a diet that will effectively affect the process of weight loss.
To get the right amount of vitamin B9 from foods, they should not be heat treated.
Vitamin B9 for weight loss
The use of folic acid for weight loss normalizes metabolic reactions in the body and accelerates the breakdown of fats.
Before using this substance, you should understand what dosage to take it. According to experts, a sufficient dose is 200-300 mcg. To speed up metabolism, B9 can be taken together with vitamin C and B12. Usually, with obesity, a specialist prescribes their intake within 1.5-2 months.
The drug is taken after a meal of 1-2 mg. With a pronounced lack of vitamin B9, the doctor prescribes up to 5 mg. In total, the body needs 200 micrograms of this substance. 50 mcg of it comes with food, and the rest is recommended to be replenished with tablets (1-1.5 pcs. Per day).
If the cause of overweight is hormonal failure or a genetic predisposition, then taking vitamin B9 will not do any good.
How to drink folic acid for weight loss? If its reception for weight loss is combined with sports, then the dosage should be different. B9 helps bodybuilders activate protein synthesis, which will lead to the collection and retention of muscle mass.
Folic acid reduces the duration of the recovery period after training and is a means of preventing injuries and stretch marks. It also prevents loss of strength and fatigue.
As a result of taking vitamin B9, it is possible to extend the training time. Depending on the gained muscle mass, you can increase the number of classes and their intensity. For this, the drug is increased to 600 mcg.
Basically, this dosage is divided into 3 doses. It is advisable to adhere to a nominal sequence in order to obtain maximum assimilation of the vitamin.
Expert Advice
What do doctors say about taking folic acid for weight loss? The reviews state that, the following must be considered:
- So that the absorption of vitamin B9 in the body does not worsen, it is not recommended to take it together with antibiotics or with other incompatible drugs.
- It is important to get expert advice on the effectiveness of such weight loss and be sure to consider their recommendations.
- Folic acid is consumed with or after meals. The capsule or tablet is swallowed whole, it is not recommended to grind. It is best to drink clean water without gas.
- You can take several courses of weight loss, but between them you need to take a break of 2-3 weeks.
- Get a positive result with weight loss does not work, if you take only folic acid. It should be a complex exercise and eat right.
- You do not need to take vitamin B9 if there are contraindications.
Experts advise you to approach the vitamin intake correctly, having received initially the necessary consultation.
Results reported by users
According to reviews, the method of using folic acid for weight loss. In many respects, the result depends on the set of measures that are used during weight loss.
Folic acid intake should be carried out with proper nutrition and exercise. Sometimes girls manage to lose up to 3-4 kg per week.
If the cause of obesity is hormonal changes or a genetic predisposition, then a positive result cannot be achieved.
Contraindications
According to reviews, folic acid for weight loss is not suitable for everyone. This is due to contraindications.
These include:
- Deficiency in the body of vitamin B12.
- Bronchial asthma.
- Individual intolerance.
- Impaired iron metabolism in the body.
- Sucrose deficiency or fructose intolerance.
- Renal failure and pyelonephritis.
- Frequent allergic reactions.
- Excessive deposition of hemosiderin in the body.
How to take folic acid for weight loss? Reviews of girls say that vitamin B9 is not a completely harmless drug. Therefore, its uncontrolled reception must not be allowed. As a result, this can lead to the occurrence of such adverse reactions:
- Allergic manifestations (rash, itching, redness).
- Anemia.
- Sleep disturbance.
- Excessive irritability or emotionality.
- Disruption of the digestive tract.
- Weakness and other ailments.
- Flatulence, nausea, diarrhea.
- Abdominal pain.
Not so long ago, experts suspected the effect of folic acid overdose on the development of malignant neoplasms. Scientists test this probability.
Reviews
Many people practice taking folic acid for weight loss. In the reviews, people report that the result is especially noticeable when certain conditions are met. It is important that this occurs in conjunction with the use of foods rich in vitamin B9 and sports. Otherwise, achieving a positive result will not work.
Users write that folic acid is a very useful, inexpensive and affordable tool for everyone. It is easy to take, as the tablets are small. There are practically no negative reviews about this drug.