The Importance of Folic Acid: Deficiency Impacts, Pregnancy Benefits, and More

2023-06-25 12:28:18

Die folic acid, also vitamin B9, is of great importance for the human organism. Because it is needed for vital functions, a deficiency can manifest itself in a number of unpleasant symptoms.

This is how folic acid deficiency affects you

The anemia caused by a lack of folic acid, i.e. anemia, appears very unspecific at the beginning and is often not recognized. Affected people usually suffer from tiredness, lack of concentration and unusual paleness of the skin. Damage to the mucous membranes in the mouth and in the gastrointestinal tract also often occurs. This often results in loss of appetite and weight loss. Folic acid is needed to break down homocysteine ​​- a naturally occurring metabolite that can cause cardiovascular problems. In the case of severe folic acid deficiency anemia, disorders of the cardiovascular system occur, which manifest themselves in increased heartbeat and shortness of breath. A deficit in folic acid and Vitamin B12 Together with alcohol, it can lead to neurological malfunctions and damage to nerve tracts in the spinal cord. These symptoms may be perceived as a mental disorder and can make an accurate diagnosis difficult. After all, the brain is also an organ and can also be affected by nutrient deficiencies. Mental health also benefits from a balanced diet Nourishment.

folic acid during pregnancy

The fact that women – especially pregnant women – are advised to eat a diet rich in folic acid has a medical background. Folic acid plays a crucial role in cell division and cell maturation. The error-free course of these processes is crucial for the healthy development of an embryo. A folic acid deficiency during pregnancy favors severe neural tube defects such as spina bifida (open spine) or anencephaly (unclosed skullcap). Connections with folic acid deficiency and congenital heart defects as well as premature births were also observed. Recent studies also show a connection between autism and insufficient folic acid supply during pregnancy. For example, if you are planning to have children, doctors recommend taking more folic acid in order to have a positive influence on the development of the child right from the start and to counteract birth defects prophylactically. The risk of spina bifida, which is one in a thousand pregnancies occurs under folic acid deficiency can be reduced by regarding 70 percent with timely, additional intake.

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