Folic acid and the future

Folic Acid

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We’re always told growing up how important it is to get enough vitamins and minerals, but do we really know what kind of vitamins we need and where we can get them? A very important category of vitamins is the B vitamins. B vitamins are important for keeping our bodies functioning like through the upkeep of proteins and DNA in our bodies (10). One specific type of B vitamin, vitamin B9, or folic acid, are super important, especially for girls (1).

You may not be thinking about this now, but one day you might want to have children. I know, I know, gross! Folic acid is important for the proper development of babies. In the first few weeks of pregnancy, the baby is developing extremely quickly. One of the first things that happens is neural tube formation. You might ask what that that means, in simple terms, it’s making the babies nervous system. Folic acid makes sure this process goes smoothly without any complications (2). Many women decide to take folic acid supplements before and during their pregnancy in order to ensure the proper neural tube development, which can be 400mcg/day or 1-2 pills of folic acid (2). Besides taking vitamins, you can get folate from foods like spinach, peas, and grains (5). In non-pregnant women, and men, folic acid is important for the proper manufacturing of red blood cells (1). Some research has also looked into folic acid in the reduction of certain diseases (3). There is not a lot of evidence to suggest that taking too much folic acid is harmful for you (10). There are some uncommon side effects like allergic reactions, weight changes, and low blood pressures (3,5). There are not any suitable alternatives to folic acid. It’s a pretty cool vitamin, and no other vitamin provides the same preventive measures for pregnant ladies.  

Don’t believe everything you read either! There are a few sketchy science websites that try and claim folic acid is bad for you (9). However, they do not have any scientific evidence to back up their statements. Girls, you may not need to think about this now, but in the next 10 years, keep in mind how important folic acid may be for you and your baby!

References.

1. Folic Acid. Chemical Compounds Encyclopedia [Online]; UXL, Posted 2006. http://library.mtroyal.ca:2073/ps/retrieve.do?sort=RELEVANCE&inPS=true&prodId=GVRL&userGroupName=mtroyalc&tabID=T003&searchId=R1&resultListType=RESULT_LIST&contentSegment=&searchType=AdvancedSearchForm&currentPosition=1&contentSet=GALE%7CCX3441700088&&docId=GALE|CX3441700088&docType=GALE (accessed Feb 24, 2016). 

2. Schoenwolf, G. C., Bleyl, B. S., Brauer, R. P., & Francis-West, H. P. Larsen’s Human Embryology, 5th ed. Elsevier: Philadelphia, 2015; pp. 92-96

3. Mayo Clinic Drugs and Supplements Folate http://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/folate/safety/hrb-20059475 (accessed February 24, 2016) 

4. Folic Acid; MSDS No. not available [Online]; ScienceLab: Houston, TX, 2013. http://www.sciencelab.com/msds.php?msdsId=9927172 (accessed February 24, 2016). 

5. Folic Acid. Oxford Dictionary of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (2 ed.) Oxford University Press, 2008; Onlinehttp://library.mtroyal.ca:2207/view/10.1093/acref/9780198529170.001.0001/acref-9780198529170-e-7260?rskey=mbpYD1&result=9

6. Folic acid fact sheet from Office on Women’s Health, U.S Department of Health and Human Services. (2012).  http://www.womenshealth.gov/publications/our-publications/fact-sheet/folic-acid.html (accessed Feb 24, 2016).   

7. Hoffbrand, V. A.; Weir, G. D. The History of Folic Acid. British Journal of Haematology [Online] 2001, 113, 579-589. http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/store/10.1046/j.1365-2141.2001.02822.x/asset/j.1365-2141.2001.02822.x.pdf?v=1&t=il1ko8iu&s=87067a6f54d8c2c933d49a12912e2ce546562326 (accessed Feb 24, 2016).   

8. Human Vitamin and Mineral Requirements. Chapter 4. Folate and Folic Acid. http://www.fao.org/docrep/004/y2809e/y2809e0a.htm (accessed February 28th, 2016)

9. Is synthetic folic acid toxic to your body? Research suggests yes http://www.naturalnews.com/049304_folic_acid_folate_vitamin_B.html# (accessed February 28th, 2016)

10. Linus Pauling Institute. Folate. http://lpi.oregonstate.edu/mic/vitamins/folate#references (accessed Feb 29th, 2016).