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should read carefully all product packaging. If you have or suspect that you have a medical problem, promptly contact your health
care provider. Information and statements regarding dietary supplements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug
Administration and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
physician or other medical professional. You should not use the information contained herein for diagnosing or treating a health
problem or disease, or prescribing any medication. Information about each product is taken from the labels of the products or from the
manufacturer's advertising material. Straight from the Clay.com. is not responsible for any statements or claims that various
manufacturers make about their products. We cannot be held responsible for typographical errors or product formulation changes. You
should read carefully all product packaging. If you have or suspect that you have a medical problem, promptly contact your health
care provider. Information and statements regarding dietary supplements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug
Administration and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
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Digestive Enzymes, Probiotics, Vitamins, Minerals, Phytonutrients, Fatty Acids
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| Complementary Alternative Medicine (CAM). |
Water Soluble Vitamins
Fat Soluble Vitamins
Fat Soluble Vitamins
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Vitamins
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Vitamin B 9 Folic Acid (Folate)
General description
First discovered in the early 1940s, folic acid (also known as folate, folacin,
pteroylmonoglutamate, or vitamin B-9) is a water-soluble vitamin that takes
part in a wide variety of body processes, from DNA synthesis to nerve signal
transmission. Because it is water-soluble and is not stored in the body, it is
important to consume folic acid every day. It may be difficult to get sufficient
folic acid from dietary sources because it is easily lost during cooking,
processing, and storage. Supplemental folic acid is usually found in the form of
a multi-vitamin or a B-complex vitamin supplement.
Food sources
The best food sources of folic acid include green leafy vegetables like spinach
and kale, whole grains, enriched grain products, legumes, asparagus, broccoli,
cabbage, and oranges.
Health applications
Cardiovascular health
Prenatal nutrition
Mental health
Functions and uses
Folic acid works together with vitamin B-12 in a variety of body processes.
Because it is required for DNA synthesis, it is crucial for cellular division, and
thus to the growth and repair of tissues. Folic acid is critical to the development
of the fetal nervous system, and folic acid deficiency has been linked to neural
tube defects like spina bifida, 1and a variety of other birth defects.2-3 For this
reason, the U.S. Public Health Service recommends that all women who are or
may become pregnant consume 400 mcg of folic acid per day, and the FDA now
requires several enriched grain products to include folic acid. Folic acid is
involved in the production of many neurotransmitters and is essential for
healthy red blood cells. Symptoms of folic acid deficiency include anemia,
diarrhea, irritability, weight loss, gastrointestinal disturbances, and elevated
homocysteine.
Dosage/toxicity
The recommended intake for folic acid is 400 mcg per day. Higher doses
should only be used under a physician's supervision. Folic acid is well tolerated,
with no adverse side effects at this dosage. Extremely high doses (5 to 10 mg)
may cause flatulence, nausea, and loss of appetite.20 The main concern with
folic acid supplementation is that it can mask an underlying vitamin B-12
deficiency. Supplementing the two vitamins together is preferable because it
alleviates this concern, and because they complement each other's activity.
General description
First discovered in the early 1940s, folic acid (also known as folate, folacin,
pteroylmonoglutamate, or vitamin B-9) is a water-soluble vitamin that takes
part in a wide variety of body processes, from DNA synthesis to nerve signal
transmission. Because it is water-soluble and is not stored in the body, it is
important to consume folic acid every day. It may be difficult to get sufficient
folic acid from dietary sources because it is easily lost during cooking,
processing, and storage. Supplemental folic acid is usually found in the form of
a multi-vitamin or a B-complex vitamin supplement.
Food sources
The best food sources of folic acid include green leafy vegetables like spinach
and kale, whole grains, enriched grain products, legumes, asparagus, broccoli,
cabbage, and oranges.
Health applications
Cardiovascular health
Prenatal nutrition
Mental health
Functions and uses
Folic acid works together with vitamin B-12 in a variety of body processes.
Because it is required for DNA synthesis, it is crucial for cellular division, and
thus to the growth and repair of tissues. Folic acid is critical to the development
of the fetal nervous system, and folic acid deficiency has been linked to neural
tube defects like spina bifida, 1and a variety of other birth defects.2-3 For this
reason, the U.S. Public Health Service recommends that all women who are or
may become pregnant consume 400 mcg of folic acid per day, and the FDA now
requires several enriched grain products to include folic acid. Folic acid is
involved in the production of many neurotransmitters and is essential for
healthy red blood cells. Symptoms of folic acid deficiency include anemia,
diarrhea, irritability, weight loss, gastrointestinal disturbances, and elevated
homocysteine.
Dosage/toxicity
The recommended intake for folic acid is 400 mcg per day. Higher doses
should only be used under a physician's supervision. Folic acid is well tolerated,
with no adverse side effects at this dosage. Extremely high doses (5 to 10 mg)
may cause flatulence, nausea, and loss of appetite.20 The main concern with
folic acid supplementation is that it can mask an underlying vitamin B-12
deficiency. Supplementing the two vitamins together is preferable because it
alleviates this concern, and because they complement each other's activity.