Folic Acid

(folate, folacin)

DI (RDA or AI for Adults)

400 mcg. Pregnancy: 600 mcg. Lactation: 500 mcg. (Prevents some birth defects.)

Adult Maintenance - Therapeutic Range

200 - 1,000 mcg. (At high doses, balance with extra vitamin B12.)

Major Sources (770 mcg to 75 mcg per serving)

Chicken liver, turkey liver, brewers yeast, veal liver, beef liver, lentils, okra, black beans, kidney beans, spinach, pasta, beef kidney, peanuts, collard greens, asparagus, navy beans, sunflower kernels, orange juice. Synthesized by intestinal bacteria.

Non-Therapeutic Importance

Appears essential for biosynthesis of nucleic acids; essential for normal maturation of red blood cells; functions as the coenzyme, tetrahydrofolic acid.

Deficiency Symptoms

Confusion
Depression
Diarrhea
Fatigue
Megaloblastic anemia

Increased Risk for Deficiency

Alcoholism
Anorexia
Anticonvulsant drugs
Diverticulosis
Elderly
Hemolytic anemias
Malabsorption diseases
Malignancies
Oral contraceptive agents
Pregnancy and lactation
Vitamin B12 deficiency

Possible Therapeutic Applications

CONSULT WITH A HEALTH PROFESSIONAL FIRST: Folic acid works with vitamin B12 in reducing homocysteine, a risk factor for heart disease. Supplementation may prevent, correct deficiencies caused by, or be helpful with, the following conditions:

Acne
Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS, HIV)
Aging
Alcoholism
Atherosclerosis (heart disease)
Cancer
Cardiac Arrhythmias
Cataracts
Celiac Disease
Cerebrovascular Disease (including stroke)
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS, CFIDS)
Constipation
Crohn's Disease
Eating Disorders (anorexia, bulimia)
Gout
Hypercholesterolemia (high cholesterol)
Immunodepression (immune function)
Infection (colds, flu, etc.)
Infertility (female)
Infertility (male)
Intermittent Claudication (poor circulation)
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
Memory Loss (Alzheimer's disease, dementia)
Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
Osteoarthritis
Osteoporosis
Periodontal Disease
Psoriasis
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Ulcerative Colitis