Folate Deficiency Anaemia

Vitamin B9 is called folic acid or folate or folic acid, and its chemical name is pteroylglutamic acid. Folic acid is the parent compound of a large group of natural origin, the structure of compounds known as folate.

In 1941 a substance was extracted from spinach leaves and named folic acid - from the Latin word "folium" for leaf, which was considered useful in the treatment of anemia.
B9 is a water-soluble vitamin that is absorbed by the small intestine, transported by the bloodstream and stored in the body (liver), but not in large quantities. The body uses what ever amount of folic acid it needs and excretes the extra through urine.

Benefits of Vitamin B9 -

* B9 is important for the production, growth and maintenance of new cells - especially during pregnancy and infancy when cell reproduction is extremely fast. Adults and children need folate to manufacture normal red blood cells and prevent anemia.

* Required during early pregnancy for preventing birth defects, including problems with the spine (called neural tube defects spina bifida) and brain. Pregnant women who do not receive enough folate are also more likely to have premature babies or babies with low birth weight.

* Folic acid is necessary for the formation of red blood cells to produce energy, and the formation of amino acids. Necessary to create heme iron - containing substance in hemoglobin, which is essential for transporting oxygen.

* It functions as a coenzyme in DNA and RNA synthesis, therefore, important for normal cell division. That is why folic acid is very important during pregnancy for the development of embryonic and fetal nerve cells.

* Vitamin B9, in combination with vitamin B12 help convert homocysteine (a toxin that leads to blood cholesterol levels in the heart muscle), thereby reducing blood levels of homocysteine and reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease . Increased levels of homocysteine in the result of weak bones leading to fractures.

* B9 is involved in the production of neurotransmitters like serotonin, which regulate mood, sleep and hunger.

* B9 is also bound to play an important role in preventing certain cancers - lung, colon and cervix.

Vitamin B9 -

Folic acid deficiency, a vitamin B12 deficiency, causes a type of dark brown patches of pigmentation that normally appears on the face, inside the mouth, thighs and palms.
Folic acid deficiency can lead diarorhea, anemia, loss of appetite, heartburn, constipation, weight loss, sore throat and swollen tongue and a variety of other symptoms.

In a developing fetus, folic acid deficiency can cause birth defects such as spina bifida (neural tube defects) and anencephaly.

Deficiency symptoms include:

· The anemia

Πthe gastro-intestinal

· Memory problems

Premature hair graying ·

· Features impaired brain and nerve

· The congenital malformations

· Mental sluggishness

Who are at risk of deficiency B9?

Alcohol ·

Smokers ·

· The elderly because of poor absorption of vitamin B9 in their body

· People who are deficient in vitamin B12

· People with a generally high production of red blood cells (hemolytic anemia).

· Pregnant women and nursing

Daily recommended dose -

Men need 200 micrograms of folic acid per day and women need about 180 micrograms per day of folic acid.

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