Vitamin B9 - Folate

What is folic acid/vitamin B9?

Vitamin B9, more commonly known as folate or folic acid, is a water-soluble vitamin that is part of the B vitamin
family. B vitamins/folate help support adrenal function, help calm and maintain a healthy nervous system, and are
necessary for key metabolic processes. Folate occurs naturally in foods, while folic acid is the synthetic form of folate.
Folatul este present in mod natural in alimente, pe cand acidul folic este forma sintetica .

Why is vitamin B9 necessary?

Vitamin B9 is essential for human growth and development, encourages normal nerve and proper brain functioning,
and may help reduce blood-levels of the amino acid homocysteine (elevated homocysteine levels have been
implicated in increased risk of heart disease and stroke). Poate reduce nivelele serice ale homocisteinei (implicate in
cresterea riscului evenimentelor vasculare).
Folic acid or folate may also help protect against cancers of the lung, colon, and cervix, and may help slow memory
decline associated with aging.
De asemenea poate preveni aparitia cancerelor pulmonare, de colon, col cervical, cat si a deteriorarii functiilor
cognitive associate imbatranirii.
Pregnant women have an increased need for folic acid: it supports the growth of the placenta and fetus, and helps to
prevent several types of birth defects, especially those of the brain and spine. Pregnant women and women of childbearing age should take extra caution to get enough folic acid (see below for recommended amounts).
Femeile insarcinate au o nevoie crescuta de acid folic , acesta fiind implicat in cresterea placentei si a fatului si
prevenind aparitia unor defecte congenitale (ex/ spina bifida).

What are the signs of a folic acid deficiency?

Deficiency has been linked to birth defects, low birth weight, pregnancy loss, depression, memory loss, and cervical
dysplasia. Alcoholics, pregnant women, and people living in institutional settings are at a higher risk of vitamin B9 or
folate deficiency.
Anomalii congenitale, prematuritate, avort spontan, depresie, displazie cervical, deteriorarea functiilor cognitive.
Cresterea necesarului zilnic de acid folic : alcoolici, persoane institutionalizate, femei insarcinate.

How much, and what kind of folic acid, does an adult need?
The daily U.S. Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) is 400 micrograms for adults. Dr. Weil recommends 400 mcg
per day as part of a B-Complex supplement that contains a full spectrum of B vitamins, including biotin, thiamin, B12,
riboflavin and niacin.He recommends that women who are pregnant or nursing discuss their vitamin B9 dosage with
their obstetrician/gynecologist.
Recomandarile U.S. Dietary Allowance (RDA): 400 microgr. la adulti

How much folate does a child need?

The daily RDA for children from 0 to 6 months is 65 micrograms of folic acid; 7-12 months, 80 micrograms; 1-3 years,
150 micrograms; 4-8 years, 200 micrograms; 9-13 years, 300 micrograms.
Dozele zilnice ( RDA) la sugari 0 6 luni : 65 micrograme folic acid; 7-12 luni , 80 micrograme; 1-3 ani , 150
micrograme; 4-8 ani, 200 micrograme; 9-13 ani, 300 micrograme.

How do you get enough vitamin B9 from foods?

Spinach, green vegetables and beans are good sources, as are fortified products such as orange juice, baked goods,
and cereals. Other natural sources of folate include asparagus, bananas, melons, lemons, legumes, yeast, and
mushrooms.
Spanac, verdeturi, leguminoase ; ciuperci, banane, asparagus, pepene galben, lamai, leguminoase, drojdie ;

Are there any risks associated with too much vitamin B9 or folic acid?
Folic acid has few side effects, even when taken in high amounts. Although the folic acid itself is not a problem,
supplemental folic acid can mask symptoms of perniciousanemia, a potentially fatal disease which is caused by a
deficiency of vitamin B12. Very high doses (above 15,000 mcg) can cause stomach problems, sleep disturbances,
skin reactions, and seizures.
Administrarea de suplimente continand acid folic, poate masca simptomele anemiei pernicioase, boala potential
fatala, cauzata de deficient vitaminei B12.
Doze foarte mari (15,000 mcg ) pot produce simptome digestive, insomnie, iritatii ale pielii, convulsii.

Are there any other special considerations with folic acid?

The absorption of supplemental folic acid is reduced slightly when taken with food. Folic acid absorption or depletion
may occur in those who use alcohol excessively, who use large amounts of antacids, are prescribed antiobiotics, who
take aspirin chronically and in large doses, or who take oral contraceptives. In addition, folic acid, when taken along
with vitamin B12, may increase the risk of masking an underlying vitamin B12 deficiency. Caution is advised when
taking both of these vitamins together.

Scaderi ale absorbtiei sau pierderi : alcoolici, tratamente prelungite cu antiacide, antibiotic, doze mari de aspirina sau
contraceptive orale. Administrarea singura sau cu cu vitamina B12 poate masca simptomele deficientei de vitamina
B12.