Folic acid: important for cell division and blood formation
ALP NUTRITION-Vitamin B9 (folic acid) – How it works. Folic acid (vitamin B9) is a heat- and light-sensitive vitamin of the B group and is the precursor to the important tetrahydrofolic acid. This compound is important in the transmission of genetic information (DNA replication) and in the methylation of homocysteine to methionine.
Which foods contain folic acid?
Meat contains varying amounts of folic acid, as do whole grains, milk, dairy products, liver and eggs.
How much folic acid is needed daily?
The RDA value is 200 µg, the German one Society for Nutrition (DGE) recommends a daily intake of 300 µg for adults. An intake of 550 µg is recommended for pregnant women. For example, the amount of 300 µg is contained in 300 g of oat flakes or approx. 300 g of green vegetables such as broccoli or spinach. Folic acid is particularly important for pregnant women for the healthy development of the embryo in the womb.
What are the effects of a folic acid deficiency?
ALP NUTRITION-Vitamin B9 (folic acid) – How it works. Since a significant proportion of the population in Germany consumes less than the recommended 300 µg per day, fortifying certain foods with folic acid is being discussed (comparable to iodized salt). This measure is intended to reduce the risk of neural tube defects in the first weeks of pregnancy during embryo development. Furthermore, regular alcohol consumption can increase or even cause an existing deficiency.
The result could be an increased homocysteine level. High homocysteine concentrations in the blood increase the risk of Atherosclerosis and cardiovascular diseases. For this reason, many approaches are being pursued in research to keep homocysteine levels low or reduce them.