Table of Contents
Vitamin B-9 (Folic Acid)
Signs of Vitamin B-9 (Folic Acid) Deficiency:
- Abnormal pap smear
- Anemia
- Apathy
- Birth defects in one’s offspring, Spina bifida
- Depression
- Diarrhea
- Digestive disturbances
- Fatigue
- Gingivitis
- Graying hair
- Growth impairment
- Insomnia
- Irritability
- Labored breathing
- Loss of appetite
- Memory problems
- Paranoia
- Sore, red tongue
- Weakness
Health Concerns – What Folic Acid Is Used For:
- Acne
- Aids
- Candidiasis
- Cataracts
- Celiac disease
- Cerebrovascular insufficiency
- Constipation
- Crohn’s disease
- Diarrhea
- Epilepsy
- Fatigue
- Gout
- Hepatitis
- Infertility
- Neural tube defects
- Parkinson’s disease
- Periodontal disease
- Restless leg syndrome
- Seborrheic dermatitis
- Senility
- Ulcerative colitis
What Folic Acid (Vitamin B-9) Does:
- Builds up babies’ resistance to infection
- Can prevent some types of cancer
- Essential for transmission of genetic code
- Helpful in the treatment of heart disease
- Helps form blood and effective for anemia
- Helps alleviate depression and anxiety
- Helps prevent atherosclerosis
- Helps prevent osteoporosis
- Helps prevent premature birth
- Improves lactation
- Improves skin condition
- Increases appetite in debilitated patients
- Involved in protein metabolism
- May be effective in the treatment of uterine cervical dysplasia
- Natural analgesic
- Needed for metabolism of RNA and DNA
- Prevents some types of birth defects such as spina bifida and anencephaly
FOOD SOURCES of Folic Acid (Vitamin B-9):
- Asparagus
- Bananas
- Barley
- Beets
- Black-eyed peas
- Bran
- Brewer’s yeast
- Brown rice
- Cheese
- Chicken
- Citrus fruits
- Dates
- Eggs
- Garbanzos
- Green leafy vegetables
- Lamb
- Legumes
- Lentils
- Liver
- Meat
- Milk
- Mushrooms
- Nuts
- Organ meats
- Pork
- Root vegetables
- Salmon
- Soy beans and flour
- Split peas
- Tuna
- Wheat germ
- Whole grains
- Whole wheat
Other Sources- Name Brands for Folic Acid:
- Folic Acid B-12 from Standard Process Labs
Caution & Comments about Folic Acid:
- Alcohol and many prescription drugs like estrogens, sulfasalazine and barbiturates impair folic acid metabolism
- Antacids inhibit folic acid absorption
- Do not take high doses of folic acid for extended periods if you have a hormone-related cancer or convulsive disorder
- Easily destroyed by light and heat
- Folic acid is toxic in large doses and can cause severe neurological problems
- High doses may cause insomnia and interfere with the absorption of zinc in the body.