What does folic acid prevent?

Folic Acid Can Help Prevent Birth Defects
Folic acid can reduce certain birth defects of the brain and spinal cord by more than 70 percent. These birth defects are called neural tube defects (NTDs). NTDs happen when the spinal cord fails to close properly. The most common neural tube defect is spina bifida.
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What are the benefits of taking folic acid?

Folic acid helps your body produce and maintain new cells, and also helps prevent changes to DNA that may lead to cancer. As a medication, folic acid is used to treat folic acid deficiency and certain types of anemia (lack of red blood cells) caused by folic acid deficiency.
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What are 3 things folic acid does or helps prevent?

Research on use of folate and oral folic acid supplements for specific conditions shows:
  • Birth defects. Research has shown that folic acid supplements can prevent birth defects of the neural tube. ...
  • Folic acid deficiency. ...
  • Heart and blood vessel disease and stroke. ...
  • Cancer. ...
  • Depression. ...
  • Dementia.
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What is the work of folic acid in woman body?

If a woman has enough folic acid in her body before she is pregnant, it can help prevent major birth defects of her baby's brain and spine. These birth defects are neural tube defects or NTDs. Women need to take folic acid every day, starting before they are pregnant to help prevent NTDs.
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When should you take folic acid?

It's important to take a 400 micrograms folic acid tablet every day before you're pregnant and until you're 12 weeks pregnant. Folic acid can help prevent birth defects known as neural tube defects, including spina bifida.
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Why You Should Take Folic Acid BEFORE Pregnancy



How quickly does folic acid work?

Folic acid usually starts to work in a few hours. But if you're taking it for folate deficiency anaemia, it may be a few weeks before you start to feel better.
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Who needs folic acid?

CDC urges all women of reproductive age to take 400 micrograms (mcg) of folic acid each day, in addition to consuming food with folate from a varied diet, to help prevent some major birth defects of the baby's brain (anencephaly) and spine (spina bifida).
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Does folic acid make you fertile?

Studies suggest that folic acid may also increase fertility. Women who take multivitamins with folic acid are more likely to ovulate (produce eggs). Previous studies found that women trying to conceive had somewhat higher pregnancy rates when taking folic acid supplements.
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Does folic acid cause weight gain?

There is no evidence that people with adequate blood levels of folic acid will gain weight if they take supplements. However, weight loss is one possible side effect of a folate deficiency.
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Does folic acid affect menstrual cycle?

Taking a folate supplement shouldn't cause irregular periods, and there is some research to indicate it could actually help regulate your menstrual cycle. Some research has shown that taking a folic acid supplement can elongate your cycle. This can cause your period to arrive slightly later than usual.
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What are the symptoms of low folic acid?

Vitamin B12 or folate deficiency anaemia can cause a wide range of symptoms. These usually develop gradually, but can worsen if the condition goes untreated.
  • extreme tiredness (fatigue)
  • lack of energy (lethargy)
  • breathlessness.
  • feeling faint.
  • headaches.
  • pale skin.
  • noticeable heartbeats (palpitations)
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Is B-12 and folic acid the same?

Vitamin B12 is an especially important vitamin for maintaining healthy nerve cells, and it helps in the production of DNA and RNA, the body's genetic material. Vitamin B12 works closely with vitamin B9, also called folate or folic acid, to help make red blood cells and to help iron work better in the body.
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What happens when you have too much folic acid?

It can cause symptoms like weakness, fatigue, difficulty concentrating, and shortness of breath ( 14 , 15 ). If you take folic acid supplements and recognize any of these symptoms, consider getting your B12 levels checked. High intakes of folic acid may mask a vitamin B12 deficiency.
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Is it OK to take folic acid when not pregnant?

Therefore, taking folic acid if you're a woman and not pregnant helps ensure you have adequate levels of folate for a developing fetus before you find out you're pregnant. Additionally, research indicates folic acid may play a preventive role in autism, type 2 diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis.
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Can folic acid cause weightloss?

A: Yes, it can. Folic acid deficiency can cause a range of gastrointestinal problems, including diarrhea, stomach pain, and indigestion. Folic acid deficiency can lead to weight loss because of causing lack of appetite. Q:How does taking extra folate affect a Vitamin B12 deficiency?
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Is folic acid good for skin?

Because folic acid helps to facilitate the development of healthy skin cells, it can help fight out premature aging, specifically wrinkles and fine lines. It has also been found to increase the production of collagen to give you firmer and more toned skin.
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What increases a woman's fertility?

Eating more protein from vegetable sources, instead of animal sources, may improve fertility levels in women. Replacing low fat dairy products with high fat versions may help improve fertility and increase your chances of getting pregnant.
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What pills should I take if I want to get pregnant?

Fertility drugs include:
  • Clomiphene citrate. Taken by mouth, this drug stimulates ovulation by causing the pituitary gland to release more FSH and LH , which stimulate the growth of an ovarian follicle containing an egg. ...
  • Gonadotropins. ...
  • Metformin. ...
  • Letrozole. ...
  • Bromocriptine.
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What vitamins help you get pregnant?

There are many vitamins to help get pregnant, but these, according to the experts, are some of the best conception vitamins for women.
  • Folic Acid. ...
  • Vitamin E. ...
  • Vitamin D. ...
  • Fish Oil. ...
  • Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) ...
  • Selenium. ...
  • Folic Acid. ...
  • CoQ10.
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What medications should not be taken with folic acid?

Possible Interactions with: Vitamin B9 (Folic Acid)
  • Antacids, H2 blockers, proton pump inhibitors.
  • Bile acid sequestrants.
  • Carbamazepine.
  • Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
  • Sulfasalazine.
  • Triamterene.
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Can I take folic acid everyday?

You should also take folic acid everyday even if you don't have plans to have children or if you think you can't get pregnant. Since 40 percent of pregnancies worldwide are unplanned, getting enough folic acid is a good plan should you have a surprise.
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Can I take folic acid and multivitamin together?

The benefit of folic acid oral supplementation or dietary folate intake combined with a multivitamin/micronutrient supplement is an associated decrease in neural tube defects and perhaps in other specific birth defects and obstetrical complications.
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Does folic acid help hair grow faster?

According to Dr Chaturvedi, folic acid helps to promote hair growth, add volume and even reduce the rate of premature greying—it does so by amping up the body's cell production processes. “If you're deficient in folate, taking supplements may result in the growth of new hair in some patients,” Dr Gupta agrees.
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How long can you take folic acid for?

You'll usually take it for 4 months. But if your folate deficiency anaemia is caused by a long-term problem, you may have to take folic acid for longer, possibly for the rest of your life. Do not stop taking folic acid without talking to your doctor.
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What does low B12 feel like?

Constipation, diarrhea, loss of appetite, or gas. Nerve problems like numbness or tingling, muscle weakness, and problems walking. Vision loss. Mental problems like depression, memory loss, or behavioral changes.
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