What are the side effects of taking folic acid?

What does folic acid do for the body?

Health benefits associated with folic acid may include reducing your risk for heart disease, stroke and some types of cancers. Folic acid is good for any cells that rapidly divide and grow, which is why it's also great for the health of your hair, skin and nails.

Is it good to take folic acid everyday?

Women Need 400 micrograms of Folic Acid Every Day. CDC urges every woman who could become pregnant to get 400 micrograms (400 mcg) of folic acid every day. The B vitamin folic acid helps prevent birth defects.

What are the negative effects of folic acid?

When taken by mouth: It is likely safe for most people to take folic acid in doses of no more than 1 mg daily. Doses higher than 1 mg daily may be unsafe. These doses might cause stomach upset, nausea, diarrhea, irritability, confusion, behavior changes, skin reactions, seizures, and other side effects.

When should I take folic acid morning or night?

What is the best time of day to take folic acid? Most nutritionists say to take supplements, like folic acid, in the morning. Digestion slows at night, so taking your vitamins in the morning will allow for better and more efficient absorption into your system.

About Folic Acid Side Effects

Does folic acid cause weight gain?

Excess Folic Acid Intake Does Not Influence Body Weight, Body Composition, or Glucose Tolerance on a Low Fat Diet.

Does folic acid grow hair?

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.

What should you not take with folic acid?

When should I stop taking 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.

Does folic acid make you tired?

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.

Can folic acid cause liver problems?

There is no evidence that folic acid, in physiologic or even super-physiologic, high doses, causes liver injury or jaundice.

Why would a doctor prescribe folic acid?

Folic acid is used to: treat or prevent folate deficiency anaemia. help your baby's brain, skull and spinal cord develop properly in pregnancy, to avoid development problems (called neural tube defects) such as spina bifida.

Can folic acid mess with your hormones?

We found that while total folate intake (in dietary equivalents) was not significantly associated with reproductive hormone levels or anovulation, higher intake of dietary synthetic folate was significantly associated with higher luteal progesterone levels and decreased odds of anovulation.

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).

How long does it take for folic acid to 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. It's important to keep taking your folic acid for as long as it's recommended.

Does folic acid help with weight loss?

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. If someone makes up for a folic acid deficiency by supplementing, he or she may regain the weight lost because of the shortfall.

Can folic acid cause kidney problems?

Regarding the relationship between folic acid, vitamin B12 supplementation and CKD progression, available interventional studies have demonstrated no clear benefit or even harmful effects on renal outcomes [15], while observational studies showed a correlation between hyperhomocysteinemia and risk of CKD development ...

Can folic acid give you palpitations?

Folic acid deficiency can result in some general symptoms – tiredness (caused by anaemia), weakness, diarrhoea, loss of appetite and weight loss. Lack of folic acid can also cause headaches, heart palpitations, a sore tongue and behavioural disorders.

Is it OK to take folic acid when not pregnant?

Most women should be getting 400mg of folic acid every day, even when not pregnant. While much of the conversation focuses on ensuring a woman's body can provide essential nutrients for a fetus during pregnancy, research suggests that folic acid benefits aren't limited to fetal development.

Does folic acid affect your bowels?

You may experience nausea, black stool, constipation, loss of appetite, bloating or flatulence (gas) in some cases. Most of these side effects of FOLIC ACID do not require medical attention and gradually resolve over time. However, if the side effects persist or worsen, please consult your doctor.

Is folic acid Safe?

Is folic acid safe? At this time, folic acid taken at or up to the recommended amount of 400 micrograms per day (mcg/day) has not been shown to be harmful. Additional information continues to be assessed as it becomes available. The benefits of taking folic acid are well established.

Can vitamin C and folic acid be taken together?

Interactions between your drugs

No interactions were found between folic acid and Vitamin C.

Can low folic acid cause GREY hair?

Vitamin B-12 deficiency is one of the most common causes of prematurely graying hair. Researchers have noted that vitamin B-12 deficiencies are often concurrent with folic acid and biotin deficiencies in people whose hair has started to turn gray early.

Does folic acid help with energy?

B-group vitamins and folate are essential for good energy levels and optimal nerve function, which are both important in fighting fatigue. Folic acid also seems to reduce the chance of heart attacks and strokes.

Does low folic acid cause weight gain?

Furthermore, folate deficiency may lead to body weight gain and adiposity [12]. Several studies has indicated a link between low folate intake or low serum folate concentration and greater body mass, BMI, overall fat accumulation, and higher waist circumference [13,14,15,16].