What is the lack of folate?
Folate is a naturally occurring form of vitamin B9 or folic acid. This vitamin is essential in many body processes and is essential during fetal development. Lack of folate can cause a wide range of symptoms, including oblivion, irritability, loss of appetite, diarrhea, mouth ulcers, peptic ulcers, anemia and heart palpitations. In infants, the defect of the nerve tube defect is the most common result in folate deficiency.
Folate has several extremely important biological roles. One of them is DNA and RNA nucleic acid synthesis. Folate is also involved in DNA repair, which is an important mechanism that helps prevent cancer. Another important role for folate is the production of red blood cells. In addition, folate is important for cardiovascular health, kidney function, eye health, density of bone and immune system. Folate is essential for the production of white blood cells and red blood cells. Therefore, the lack of folate can lead to anemia and suppressed immune function.
Lack of folate wouldL associated with increased risk of heart disease, stroke, cancer, depression, rheumatoid arthritis and kidney disease. There is also evidence that suggests that the deficiency may worsen the symptoms of menopause and increase the risk of osteoporosis. In people with Parkinson's disease who use levodop, folate can help prevent bone density loss caused by this drug.
In the developing fetus, the lack of folate may increase the risk of a congenital defect called the nerve tube defect. These defects develop in the brain or spinal cord. One of the most famous defects of the nerve tube is the bifida spina, in which part of the spinal cord protrudes through the hole in the spine. Some types of nerve tube defect causes abnormal brain development. One example is the anencephalia in which the child is born blind, deaf and unconscious because of the absence of a functioning brain.
The recommended daily intake of folate is 400 micrograms for men and women. In pregnantWomen are recommended daily intake of 600 micrograms. This increase is due to the importance of folate in fetal development. Women who are planning to conceive should ensure that they increase their folate intake before pregnancy, because the importance of this nutrient is the highest during the first month of fetal development. Folate requirements are often higher in people who abuse alcohol or who have liver or kidney disease or digestive disorders.
folate is naturally present in many foods, including green leafy vegetables such as spinach; cereals; fruit; Legumes; and organ meat. In some countries, including the United States, Canada, Australia, Indonesia and Mongolia, folic acid added is a supplement to flour, as well as bread and other pastries. Other countries, such as New Zealand, have decided to wait for the results of further research on the effects of folate supplements in the diet.