Folic Acid (Vitamin B 9) (Systemic)
Brand Names : Folvite, Apo-Folic, Novo-Folacid, Vitamin B 9
Category- Diagnostic aid, folate deficiency
- Nutritional supplement, vitamin
DescriptionVitamins (VYE-ta-mins)
are compounds
that you must
have for growth and health. They
are needed in small amounts only and are usually available in the foods that
you eat. Folic acid (FOE-lik AS-id)(vitamin
B 9
) is necessary for strong blood.
Lack of folic acid may lead to anemia (weak blood). Your health care professional
may treat this by prescribing folic acid for you.
Some conditions may increase your need for folic acid. These include:
-
Alcoholism
-
Anemia, hemolytic
-
Diarrhea (continuing)
-
Fever (prolonged)
-
Hemodialysis
-
Illness (prolonged)
-
Intestinal diseases
-
Liver disease
-
Stress (continuing)
-
Surgical removal of stomach
In addition, infants smaller than normal, breast-fed infants, or those
receiving unfortified formulas (such as evaporated milk or goat's milk) may
need additional folic acid.
Increased need for folic acid should be determined by your health care
professional.
Some studies have found that folic acid taken by women before they become
pregnant and during early pregnancy may reduce the chances of certain birth
defects (neural tube defects).
Claims that folic acid and other B vitamins are effective for preventing
mental problems have not been proven. Many of these treatments involve large
and expensive amounts of vitamins.
Injectable folic acid is given by or under the direction of your health
care professional. Another form of folic acid is available without a prescription.
Folic acid is available in the following dosage forms:
Oral
-
Tablets (U.S. and Canada)
Parenteral
-
Injection (U.S. and Canada)
Importance of DietFolic acid is found in various foods, including vegetables, especially
green vegetables; potatoes; cereal and cereal products; fruits; and organ
meats (for example, liver or kidney). It is best to eat fresh fruits and vegetables
whenever possible since they contain the most vitamins. Food processing may
destroy some of the vitamins. For example, heat may reduce the amount of folic
acid in foods.
Vitamins alone will not take the place of a good diet and will not provide
energy. Your body also needs other substances found in food such as protein,
minerals, carbohydrates, and fat. Vitamins themselves often cannot work without
the presence of other foods.
The daily amount of folic acid needed is defined in several different ways.
For U.S. -
-
Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDAs) are the amount of vitamins
and minerals needed to provide for adequate nutrition in most healthy persons.
RDAs for a given nutrient may vary depending on a person's age, sex, and physical
condition (e.g., pregnancy).
-
Daily Values (DVs) are used on food and dietary supplement labels
to indicate the percent of the recommended daily amount of each nutrient that
a serving provides. DV replaces the previous designation of United States
Recommended Daily Allowances (USRDAs).
For Canada -
-
Recommended Nutrient Intakes (RNIs) are used to determine the amounts
of vitamins, minerals, and protein needed to provide adequate nutrition and
lessen the risk of chronic disease.
Normal daily recommended intakes in micrograms (mcg) for folic acid are
generally defined as follows:
Persons
|
U.S.
(mcg)
|
Canada
(mcg)
|
Infants and children
Birth to 3 years of age
|
25-100
|
50-80
|
4 to 6 years of age
|
75-400
|
90
|
7 to 10 years of age
|
100-400
|
125-180
|
Adolescent and adult males
|
150-400
|
150-220
|
Adolescent and adult females
|
150-400
|
145-190
|
Pregnant females
|
400-800
|
445-475
|
Breast-feeding females
|
260-800
|
245-275
|
Brand NamesSome commonly used brand names are:
In the U.S. -
In Canada -
- Apo-Folic
- Folvite
- Novo-Folacid
Generic name product may be available in the U.S. and Canada.
Another commonly used name is Vitamin B 9
.
|