Folic Acid: Basic Facts And Side Effects

Introduction

Pratiksha was 4 months pregnant, and she always used to be worried about the child’s growth and development during her pregnancy. A friend of hers suggested some home remedies for vitamins and minerals intake. Pratiksha was also scared of pre-mature delivery and was constantly overthinking about that. Her husband took her to the doctor, suggesting that she consume folic acid orally. At the same time, pregnancy appears to have no folic acid side effects on the chance of dying shortly before or after delivery. However, it aids in preventing various health problems in the newborn. And only after the doctor’s confirmation did she take medicine. One should always take Folic Acid medicines with the doctor’s confirmation. 

What is Folic Acid?

Folate and folic acid are vitamin B9 forms used to treat deficiency and avoid pregnancy problems. Many foods already contain or even have folic acid added to them.

Folate and folic acid Possibly Effective

• In older adults, memory and reasoning skills decrease. Taking folic acid orally, with or without additional supplements, can help enhance memory and thinking abilities in older persons experiencing more cognitive deterioration than is typical for their age.
• In some persons experiencing depression, taking folic acid orally combined with antidepressants appears to help.
• In some persons with high blood pressure who are not taking other blood pressure drugs, consuming folic acid by mouth daily for at least 6 weeks lowers blood pressure.
• The medication phenytoin causes gum hypertrophy. Folic acid applied to the gums appears to avoid this problem. On the other hand, taking folic acid orally does not appear to assist.
• Consuming folic acid supplements can lessen the incidence of stroke in locations where folic acid isn’t added to grain products. On the other hand, supplements do not appear to be beneficial for those who reside in nations where folic acid is added to grain products.
• A skin condition in which white spots appear on the skin (vitiligo). Consuming folic acid by oral medicine seems to help with the symptoms of this disease.

Possibly Ineffective for Folic Acid

• Consuming folic acid orally while pregnancy appears to not affect the chance of a baby dying shortly before or after delivery. However, it aids in preventing various health problems in the newborn.
• In older persons already taking vitamin D, combining folic acid with vitamin B12 by mouth does not appear to reduce falls.
• The risk of this form of cancer in children is not minimized by taking folate orally during pregnancy.
• Consuming folic acid in oral with vitamin B12 and/or vitamin B6 doesn’t appear to protect weak and brittle bones in older people with osteoporosis.
• Physical abilities of older people. Consuming folic acid with vitamin B12 by oral does not appear to improve walking or hand strength in elderly adults.
• Male fertility does not appear to be improved by consuming folic acid by mouth, either alone or in combination with other components.
• Increased folic acid supplements do not appear to lower blood pressure or the risk of developing preeclampsia during pregnancy.
• The combination of folic acid, vitamin B6, and vitamin B12 taken orally does not reduce cataracts. It may even increase the number of cataracts that must be removed.
• Consuming folic acid orally does not appear to prevent the typical loss in mental performance seen in healthy ageing persons.
• Combining folic acid with an iron supplement doesn’t make it any more effective in treating anaemia than taking an iron supplement alone.

Side Effects of Folic Acid

When taken by mouth: 

• Folic acid at levels of no more than 1 mg per day is probably safe for most persons. Stomach trouble, nausea, diarrhoea, irritability, disorientation, behaviour changes, skin responses, seizures, and other folic acid tablets side effects are possible with these dosages.
• L-5-methyltetrahydrofolate (L-5-MTHF) is another type of folic acid that can be obtained in supplements. 
• There are growing concerns that consuming far too much folic acid over an extended time might result in significant negative effects. According to certain studies, consuming folic acid at dosages of 0.8-1.2 mg daily may increase the risks of cancer or heart attack in persons who already have cardiac issues.

Precautions & Warnings for Folic Acid

• Cancer: According to a preliminary study, ingesting 0.8-1 mg of folic acid every day may contribute to the risk of cancer. Individuals with a history of cancer should avoid large dosages of folic acid until additional information is available.
• Angioplasty is a procedure that widens restricted arteries. Folic acid, vitamin B6, and vitamin B12 use may make constricted arteries worse. People recuperating from this operation should avoid taking folic acid.
• Children: Taking folic acid by mouth at the prescribed levels for their age is probably safe for them. Children, on the other hand, must refuse to take folic acid in quantities that exceed the daily maximum limits.
• Seizure disorder: Consuming folic acid supplements, particularly in large dosages, may exacerbate seizures in persons who have them.
• Breastfeeding and pregnancy: In pregnancy, 300-400 mcg of folic acid per day is suggested to avoid some birth abnormalities. For persons under the age of 18, the recommended maximum dosage of folic acid during pregnancy or nursing is 800 micrograms per day, and for those above the age of 18, the highest suggested amount is 1000 micrograms per day. If a health practitioner advises you to utilize more, do so.