Vitamin B9 (folic acid): Functions, Hypovitaminosis, Recommended Daily Intake, Products

Other names for this vitamin: folate, folacin, pteroylglutamic acid, vitamin Bc, vitamin M.Folic acid is a water-soluble vitamin and is produced in small quantities by intestinal flora.Vitamin B9 is a precursor of tetrahydrofolic acid, which participates as a coenzyme in the metabolism of amino acids and nucleic acids. Tetrahydrofolate deficiency causes anemia.This substance is involved in the synthesis of pyrimidines and purines necessary for the production of DNA/RNA.Folic acid is used in the production of red blood cells and amino acids such as serine and glycine.Together with vitamins B12, B6 and C, folic acid is responsible for the rapid cell division of some cells and is also important for the biosynthesis of hemoglobin.This chemical stimulates appetite and the production of hydrochloric acid in the stomach.It has a protective effect against cervical dysplasia, which is a precancerous condition of the uterus in women.Improves the functioning of the nervous system in the embryonic stages.Vitamin B9 is involved in the biosynthesis of norepinephrine, serotonin and dopamine, important neurotransmitters that support the normal functioning of the nervous system.Folic acid is important in the metabolism of homocysteine; high concentrations of this substance increase the risk of myocardial infarction and stroke, as well as osteoporosis.Lack of folic acid (vitamin B9) can cause neural tube disorders such as spina bifida, miscarriage, pernicious anemia and megaloblastic anemia.When cooking food, some of vitamin B9 is lost. Storing fresh vegetables for more than 3 days reduces the amount of this substance by 50%, but boiling for 2 minutes even reduces it by 90%.Oxygen from the air, acids, light, heat, washing and grinding negatively affect the folic acid content of foods.Most often, vitamin B9 hypovitaminosis is observed in older people, in people with malabsorption, in people with an unbalanced diet and in women taking oral contraceptives.40% of our planet's population suffers from folic acid deficiency.When treating epilepsy, medications such as phenobarbital and phenytoin impair the absorption of vitamin B9.With gluten intolerance, vitamin B9 deficiency is characterized by the following symptoms: insomnia, irritability, weakness, and confusion.Some drugs used in cancer treatment can cause folic acid deficiency, and surgical resections can cause vitamin B9 and B12 deficiency.The recommended daily intake of folic acid is 400 mcg/day, and for pregnant women even 800 mcg/day.Vitamin B9 easily migrates into mother's milk, so babies are provided with this substance.