Folic Acid Essay

12. The effect on the blood folate levels were that the exposed group had lower levels of folate left in the blood.

Since oranges are rich in vitamin C, I would assume that it would help in prevention of scurvy, a disease characterized by vitamin C deficiency. Nonetheless, it is a useful fact to learn since folic acid is present in many common foods. By learning about different nutrients and their effects, people are able to make healthy food choices that could potentially impact their overall health. That, alone is a great step towards improving public

The most prominent cause of Iron Deficiency Anemia is bleeding. Blood loss from the Gastrointestinal Tract is a significant cause of anemia for both men and women. When blood is present in excrement, a gastrointestinal problem exists. Many times, people are unaware of these problems with their waste products. When they begin to feel the symptoms of anemia and undergo tests that determine that they are anemic, it begins the process of discovering more health problems. Anemia can serve as the precursor of certain diseases. There are many instances when it is merely a sign of severe disease such as a peptic ulcer disease, gastritis, hemorrhoids, angiodysplasis of the colon, and colonic adenocarcinoma (http://www.physsportsmed.com/issues/sep_96/browne.htm).

Vitamin B12 is important in the growth of cells. The body needs the cells to carry oxygen and nutrients to the body. B12 also works with the nervous system function. It makes up are bodies genetic material, and is essential for the production of red blood cells.

In Canada, a clinical study by De Wals et al was performed to assess whether or not folic acid fortification has an effect on the recurrence of NTDs (neural tube defects), especially on upper and lower birth defects called spina bifida (De Wals et al., 2008). The study was performed in three different regions in Canada: the eastern, western and central provinces (De Wals et al., 2008). Furthermore, the population of the study was conducted on three different types of births which were livebirths, stillbirths, and termination of pregnancies, and the study was carried out through three periods included prefortification, partial fortification and full fortifications (De Wals et al., 2008). The researchers followed the scientific investigation

Thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, biotin, and pantothenic acid are B vitamins needed to produce ATP from carbohydrate, fat, and protein. Vitamin B6 is important for amino acid metabolism as well as energy production. Folate is a coenzyme that is needed for cell division. Vitamin B12, only found in animal foods, is needed for nerve function and to activate folate. Vitamin C is needed to form connective tissue and acts as a watersoluble antioxidant. Vitamin A is essential for vision, and it regulates cell differentiation and growth. Vitamin D is necessary for bone health. Vitamin E is a fat-soluble antioxidant. Vitamin K is essential for blood clotting.

However, absorption cannot occur in the absence of IF. Once in the circulation B12 binds to a transport protein and is taken to the liver, bone marrow, and other proliferating cells. Most individuals with normal absorption have no issue acquiring the needed daily amount. The cause of Malabsorption of both folate and B12 is from lack of IF, gastric surgery, inflammatory bowel disease, celiac disease, and hyperthyroidism (Buttaro, Trybulski, Polgar Bailey, Sandberg-Cook, 2013). Healthy adults may consider taking supplemental crystalline vitamin B12 (Stabler, 2013). However, treatment is not necessary for asymptomatic anemia. Deficiency related to IF indicates a need for 1000 mcg of B12 intramuscular injections weekly for eight weeks and then monthly for life. Treatment for macrocytic anemia resulting from folate insufficiency is 1 mg of folic acid PO daily until the patient achieves an adequate hemoglobin level and indefinitely if patient has an underlying illness or an inadequate diet (Buttaro, Trybulski, Polgar Bailey, Sandberg-Cook,

Deficiency of the micronutrient folate continues to significantly affect the health of pregnant women and their children, globally. A great cause of concern with folate deficiency is the occurrence of Neural Tube Defects (NTDs) in new-born babies due to abnormal early foetal development. According to Greene et al. (2016), NTDs are abnormalities to the formation of the brain, spinal cord or related structures from early foetal development. The rate of the prevalence of NTDs varies between countries from 0.3 to 199.4 cases per 10,000 births. In Australia specifically, approximately 19.5 cases of NTDs occurred per 10,000 cases between 2009 and 2010 (Zaganjoy et al.,

Vitamin A is needed as it helps in the formation and maintenance of healthy skin and hair. It is also necessary for proper bone growth and tooth

Water soluble vitamins are not stored in the body. They go directly to the blood stream once consumed, so they need to be replaced on a daily basis. B vitamins are important because they help turn food into energy. For example, niacin helps to release energy from carbohydrates, fats and protein. Many also act as coenzymes. Such as riboflavin, this is the coenzyme for the first reaction in the metabolism of glucose. Thiamin is also a coenzyme for tissue respiration. B vitamins and vitamin C are also essential for growth and development such as body tissue, the formation of collagen, development of red and white blood cells and the formation of DNA. When the

We need to supplement minimum 400 microgram folic acid before and during pregnancy to prevent major birth defects of the baby’s brain and spine called neural tube defects. Dietary sources are fortified cereals, leafy green vegetables, citrus fruits, dried

It is recommended that all women of childbearing age take folic acid daily. The usual dosage is 400 micrograms (0.4 mg) daily taken before getting pregnant and 4 mg a day before getting pregnant if you had a child with an NTD.

In Australia, the reasonableness and effectiveness of folic acid being mandatorily fortified to support healthy pregnancy when considering the occurrence of NTDS in Australian children due to the amount their mothers have consumed of folic acid during pregnancy. The main purpose for creating a mandatory policy to include folic acid to the wheat flour of non-organic bread in Australia is to reduce the incidence of NTDs across the nation. Substantial rates of NTDs occur worldwide as significantly more folate is needed early in pregnancy than in other life stages. This early stage of pregnancy is often when women are unaware that they are pregnant. The folate is required for the development of the embryonic neural tube, which develops into

Folate is a natural occurrence in foods such as beans and pulses (e.g. lentils and chickpeas), leafy green vegetables, broccoli, spinach, tuna and oranges (Tiran, 2000). Some foods are also fortified with folic acid such as cereals and bread. Late in the 1990’s United State scientists came to the realisation that despite the availability of folic acid in supplements as well as foods available in the supermarkets, people were still finding it a challenge to meet their daily folate requirement; with this in mind the United States of America implemented the folate fortification program (Latimes.com). For women of childbearing age, folic acid consumption needed to be increased so in January of 1998 the United States food and drug administration authorised a folic acid fortification of all products containing grain. The

Vitamin C is crucial for survival for several reasons. For a human body to reach the acme of its physical potential, it must have a daily intake of vitamin C. Deficiency can lead to a fatal symptom known as scurvy. Likewise, iron absorption will be more difficult resulting in iron-deficiency anemia (Smith, Primio & Humphrey-Murto, 2011). However, this nutrient is essential for bodily functions as well. Vitamin C is required for hormone production which is seen by the fact that the highest concentration of it in the human body is in the pituitary and adrenal glands (Emsley, 2004). Moreover, this vitamin aids in protection against free radicals and stress. Vitamin C is also imperative because it assists in the growth of various body parts, including teeth, cartilage, and dentine. This acid is integral for bone development and to heal fractured or broken bones. As said before, “Vitamin C is important in the absorption and metabolism of many nutrients that affect production of red blood cells”, including iron absorption (Smith, Primio, & Humphrey-Murto, 2011). DIRECT QUOTE WITHOUT AUTHOR. Similar to its importance to humans, vitamin C is vital for plant life as well. Plants require the alcohol for growth processes.