Have you ever heard of folic acid and its importance, but don’t know exactly what it is used for? In the interest of your health, we present to you in the following comprehensive article the most important information that you should know about folic acid, its importance to the health of the body, its sources, the benefits of its supplements, and many other information, so be sure to follow up.

What is folic acid?

Folic acid, sometimes called folate, is the natural form of vitamin B9, a water-soluble element found naturally in many foods. It is added to foods or used as a supplement, where it primarily helps in the manufacture of DNA and RNA and is also involved in the metabolism of proteins.

It also plays an important role in the breakdown of homocysteine ​​(one of the amino acids), which causes negative effects on the body if it is present in large quantities. Folic acid also helps in the production of healthy red blood cells and has many other benefits. It is worth noting that the body cannot produce folate, so it must be obtained from other sources such as foods or supplements.

The difference between folic acid and folate

In many cases, the terms folic acid and folate are used interchangeably, and according to CDC data, there is a difference between the two. Folate is the general term used to describe many types of vitamin B9. Types of folate can include:

• Dihydrofolate DHF.
• Tetrahydrofolate THF.
• Methylenetetrahydrofolate.
• Methyltetrahydrofolate.

Folic acid is a specific type of folate that does not occur naturally in most cases, as it is considered the most fortified type of foods, since it is the most stable type that makes it easily broken by heat and light.

Where is folic acid found?

Folic is found in nutritional supplements and foods fortified with it, such as bread, flour and breakfast cereals, and many foods contain a large proportion of folate naturally, and its natural sources include the following:

• Beef liver.
• spinach;
• asparagus.
• Beans.
• Lettuce.
• avocado
• broccoli
• green mustard leaves;
• peas;
• Canned tomato juice.
• Orange juice.
• Dry roasted peanuts.
• Fresh orange or grapefruit.
• Papaya.
• the banana.
• Hard-boiled eggs.
• Cantaloupe (cantaloupe).

Folic acid benefits

Some common benefits and uses of folate include:

1- Treating folate deficiency

Folate deficiency occurs for several reasons, such as a lack of folic acid in the diet, low or no stomach acid, or taking medications that affect folate absorption, pregnancy and dialysis.

A folate deficiency can lead to many complications such as anemia, fetal development problems, mental problems, or a weak immune system. Taking folic acid supplements can help restore acid levels to a normal level and prevent these complications.

2- Preventing pregnancy complications and birth defects

Folic supplements can help prevent neural tube defects in fetuses during pregnancy, such as spina bifida and anencephaly, and reduce the incidence of these conditions. These supplements also help reduce the risk of some pregnancy complications such as pre-eclampsia.

3- Maintain mental health

There is a link between low blood folate levels and poor mental function and an increased risk of dementia, and getting folate or folic acid at appropriate levels in the body can help maintain mental function and potentially prevent Alzheimer’s disease as well.

4- Treating psychological problems

Folate is involved in the production of some chemicals in the brain known as neurotransmitters, and its deficiency has been linked to the risk of developing some psychological problems such as depression, schizophrenia, and other problems. Taking folic acid supplements along with other psychiatric medications can help reduce symptoms associated with these problems, according to some studies.

5- Reduce the risk of heart disease

Folic acid supplements can help promote heart health and reduce the risk of heart disease. Folate, or folate, helps break down homocysteine ​​(an amino acid), whose levels in the body are believed to increase the risk of heart disease.

The use of these supplements along with antihypertensive drugs can reduce high blood pressure and significantly improve blood flow in the vessels, compared to using antihypertensive drugs alone.

6- Other potential benefits

Besides the aforementioned benefits, the use of folic supplements can also help with some health conditions such as:

• diabetes.
• Measles problems.
• infections.
• kidney disease;

It is worth noting that many of these benefits still need more research and studies to confirm and know the link between them and folic and its supplements closely.

folic acid pills

In many cases, it is recommended to get the body’s folate from food, but in other cases, folic acid pills or folic acid supplements are recommended, especially for women who are planning to become pregnant or who are pregnant or breastfeeding.

These pills or supplements can also help people who eat low-nutrient diets or have health conditions that interfere with the body’s ability to absorb folate.

Studies of these pills or supplements indicate that they can provide the following benefits:

• Prevention of birth defects.
• Treatment of folate deficiency in the body.
• Reduce cardiovascular disease.
• Reducing the risk of cancer.
• Reduce depression and dementia.

What are the uses of Folic Acid 5 mg?

Folic pills at a concentration of 5 mg are manufactured by many pharmaceutical companies, and although they are produced by different manufacturers, folic pills at a concentration of 5 mg are usually used for the same therapeutic purposes, most notably:

• In cases of poor diet followed.
• Improving poor absorption of food in the body.
• Treating folate deficiency.
• for cases of anemia.

These pills may cause some possible side effects, such as:

• nausea;
• sleep disturbances;
• feeling bloated
• Bitter taste in the mouth.

It is not recommended to use these pills except after consulting a doctor and discussing the benefits and harms and knowing whether they are suitable for the general health condition or not.

folic acid price

As mentioned earlier, folic pills or supplements are manufactured by different pharmaceutical companies and in many different countries, and in many cases the price of oral pills may reach $10 for a pack of 30 tablets, but the price varies according to the country and according to the manufacturer.