Vitamins are substances that regulate the activity of all human organs and systems. Some of them come from food, others are synthesized in the intestines or liver. Some vitamins do not accumulate in the body, so when they are not received enough, various health conditions are observed. The lack of folic acid, which is also known as vitamin B9, is especially difficult to tolerate. This substance is involved in many body processes, in particular - in blood formation. Therefore, with its lack, anemia and other serious consequences can develop.
Features of Folic Acid
This vitamin belongs to water-soluble, to the group of vitamins B. These are nitrogenous compounds that enter the body with food. Only partially are they synthesized in the body, so their lack is often found. Like all B vitamins, folic acid is primarily absorbed from food. But its source is green vegetables, greens, especially a lot of it in spinach. There is vitamin B9 in meat, liver and eggs, but most of it is destroyed by heat treatment. Therefore, in the northern regions, where it is not possible to consume greens all year round, there are often signs of a lack of folic acid. It is estimated that about 75% of people suffer from pathologies caused by this condition.
This vitamin got its name due to the fact that it was first found in spinach and other greens, because the "folium" in Latin is a "leaf". Then scientists managed to isolate and investigate this substance. This happened in the 40s of the 20th century, but only recently folic acid began to be obtained artificially. It has the same properties as a natural vitamin. Therefore, with a lack of folic acid, drugs are more effective than the inclusion in the diet of products containing this vitamin.
Vitamin B9 Functions
A lack of folic acid in the body seriously affects your health. After all, she is involved in many processes of vital importance. This vitamin is very important for humans, as it has the following functions:
- participates in the processes of hematopoiesis, only with its help the hemoglobin molecule is correctly formed;
- It is part of the cerebrospinal fluid, therefore it is very important for the functioning of the nervous system;
- takes part in the synthesis of proteins, as well as RNA;
- stimulates the production of gastric juice;
- participates in the production of serotonin and norepinephrine;
- necessary for the normal course of metabolic processes and cell regeneration.
Folic acid intake
A healthy adult needs about 400 micrograms of vitamin B9 per day. Children need it less: at the age of one year - from 60 to 80 micrograms, up to 3 years - 150 micrograms, and later - 200 micrograms. But when the symptoms of folic acid deficiency in the body appear, the need for it increases to 600 mcg. This vitamin does not accumulate in the body, but is consumed quickly. It is required more by children and adolescents for normal growth and development. An additional intake of folic acid is necessary during pregnancy and during breastfeeding, since everything goes to the needs of the baby. The need for this vitamin also increases with certain diseases: cancerous tumors, pathologies of the gastrointestinal tract, and skin diseases.
Causes of Folic Acid Shortage
Vitamin B9 is mainly absorbed from the outside. Moreover, in the products it is contained not in the form of folic acid, but in the form of folates. Therefore, folic acid deficiency occurs due to one of three reasons:
- Foods containing this vitamin are not enough in the human diet. This may be due to malnutrition, dieting or malnutrition. This happens in adolescents, who often eat dry food, in the elderly, in alcoholics and drug addicts, fast food lovers. In addition, a similar condition can occur even in people who eat fully. After all, folic acid is destroyed by improper storage and preparation of products.
- If the body experiences an increased need for vitamin B9. Therefore, there is often a lack of folic acid during pregnancy, in children and adolescents, athletes, people exposed to increased stress, as well as after serious illnesses and injuries.
- When the absorption of this vitamin is disturbed. This can happen with various diseases of the digestive system, with celiac disease, dysbiosis, inflammatory bowel disease, depression, alcoholism. The lack of certain trace elements, for example, vitamin C, B, D, iodine, also disrupts the absorption of folic acid. This also happens with certain medications, such as antibiotics, anti-seizure medications, malaria, or tumors.
Signs of a lack of folic acid in the body
If this happens, the person does not immediately feel it. The body is disturbed gradually, usually the first symptoms appear after 2-4 weeks. Pathology begins with a decrease in performance, frequent headaches, irritability and memory impairment. Apathy, loss of appetite, weight loss, disruption of the digestive tract may occur. In addition, a lack of folic acid can be expressed by the following symptoms:
- violation of the production of hemoglobin is accompanied by pale skin, decreased performance, muscle weakness;
- it also leads to hair loss, deterioration of the skin, the appearance of jamming and sores on the oral mucosa, acne or acne;
- due to the decreased acidity of the stomach, appetite worsens and protein absorption is impaired;
- for the same reason, dyspepsia develops, abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea appear
- low levels of serotonin and norepinephrine accompanied by apathy, sleep disturbance, depression;
- deterioration of memory and attention is also observed.
The consequences of vitamin B9 deficiency
Due to a lack of folic acid, many pathological processes develop in the human body. Most often, megaloblastic anemia or anemia occurs, which leads to a deterioration in tissue enrichment with oxygen and to a disruption in the functioning of many organs. This is manifested by various neurological pathologies, decreased immunity, and depression. The risk of developing a heart attack or stroke increases. Due to this deficiency in men, reproductive function worsens, and sperm contains damaged DNA.
Often there are symptoms of folic acid deficiency in women during pregnancy. This can cause serious health consequences for mothers and babies. First of all, because of this, a miscarriage in the early stages is possible, since the embryo cannot be fixed in the uterine cavity. This condition may also be the cause of preeclampsia, placental abruption, or delivery complications. From the lack of vitamin B9, the child himself develops the nervous system incorrectly. This leads to pathologies of the brain, non-closure of the spinal canal, abnormalities in the development of the limbs, and the development of Down syndrome. The lack of folic acid in older children is manifested by a lag in mental and physical development, nervousness, outbreaks of aggression, and sleep disturbance.
Diagnostics
Most often, the amount of folic acid is determined by a blood test. Red blood cells are studied, since it is in them that vitamin B9 accumulates. It is there 20 times more than in other tissues. Therefore, its amount in red blood cells decreases only with a prolonged lack of folic acid. Normally, this substance in the blood should be from 4 to 18 ng / ml. Such an analysis is recommended to be done if macrocytic anemia is suspected, and the level of vitamin B12 is checked at the same time. In addition, it must be prescribed to pregnant women with chronic diseases of the liver and intestines, as well as during long-term treatment with certain drugs.
How to Make Up Vitamin B9 Deficiency
Folic acid is found in large quantities in cabbage, cherries, beans, citrus fruits, and figs. There is it in the liver, eggs, rowan berries, nuts, tomatoes. But most of all vitamin B9 is in spinach, onions, lettuce and other herbs. These products must be included in your diet daily. But with a lack of folic acid, only a diet will be insufficient, it is necessary to take special medications.
There are preparations containing only vitamin B9 in large quantities. They can be taken only as directed by a doctor in severe cases of folic acid deficiency anemia. For prophylaxis, as well as with a slight lack of vitamin B9, multivitamin preparations can be used. Their advantage is that they contain additional components that help the absorption of folic acid, for example, vitamin C.
The most popular medicines for anemia are the following drugs: Foliber, with vitamins B9 and B12, Maltofer and Hemoferon, containing folic acid and iron. The complex remedies Doppelherz Active Folic Acid, Folic Acid with B6 and B12 "and " Elevit Pronatal. "
Folic Acid Prevention
This vitamin is very unstable. It is destroyed during the heat treatment of products, especially it remains very little in meat. Soft-boiled eggs contain only 50% folic acid compared to raw eggs. But even when eating raw vegetables, there may be a lack of folic acid, as it is destroyed when stored improperly, under the influence of sunlight. Many vegetables and fruits grown in greenhouses and sold in supermarkets are low in vitamins. Therefore, it is important to eat fully, eat raw vegetables and greens daily, preferably bought in the market. Winter stocks are best done without heat treatment. It is possible to prevent a lack of folic acid by abandoning bad habits, especially alcohol impedes its absorption.