What Is Folic Acid?
Folic acid is a B vitamin (B9) found mostly in leafy green vegetables like kale, spinach, orange juice, and enriched grains. Folic acid, also known as Mate or folacin, was identified named in the 1940s. This nutrient takes part in variety of body processes, ranging from the synthesis of genetic material to the transmission of nerve signals.
Functions and Uses
Cell Replication and Tissue Growth
It is most important roles, folic acid works closely with vitamin B12 in the metabolism of amino acids and the synthesis of proteins, and in the production of genetic material (RNA and DNA). Thus, it is vital to healthy cell division, replication, and to tissue growth. It is therapeutic uses are related to this function.
Dysplasia
Folic acid role in cell division, a deficiency of this nutrient is associated with dysplasia, abnormal growth of tissues. Study has had some success in using folic acid to treat various types of dysplasia, including the very common cervical dysplasia. Most probably suggests that in some women, the use of oral contraceptives causes a localized folate deficiency in the cells of the cervix, somehow making them more susceptible to cancer-causing viruses, chemicals. Reason dysplasia is considered precancerous, when the condition is severe, surgical removal of the suspicious cells is comonly recommended. Folate has helped stop, reverse cervical dysplasia in a number of women taking oral contraceptives. I have recommended folk acid to patients whom physicians have referred to my office for this problem. When their physicians gave them follow-up exams, they were delighted to find reversal of the dysplasia.
Food Sources: Folic acid is found in many varieties of foods. Foods rich in folic acid include fortified breakfast cereals, enriched breads, pastas, grains, dried beans and peas, orange juice, oranges, cantaloupe, avocados, green leafy vegetables, broccoli, lima beans, nuts, and peanut butter.
It has been estimated that only 24 to 51 percent of the folic acid in food is biologically remarkable. In addition, cooking, other types of processing can reduce folic content by 50 to 90 percent.
SUPPLEMENTS
Folic acid is available without a prescription in amounts up to 0.8 milligrams (800 micrograms), either as an individual supplement, as part of a multivitamin formula. Stronger supplements are available only by a doctor's prescription.
