Vitamin B9

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... Full Answer

If you are taking folic acid to treat a diagnosed deficiency, or to lower your homocysteine levels, be sure to speak to your doctor before stopping. If you are just taking folic acid in hopes of improving your overall health, it's probably safe... Full Answer

Adults who consume over 1,000 micrograms of folic acid, which is more than twice the recommended amount, run the risk of masking a vitamin B12 deficiency. This can be a serious problem because a B12 deficiency can lead to permanent nerve damage... Full Answer

Very large doses of folic acid -- much larger than most people take -- can cause a number of symptoms, including nausea and a bitter taste in your mouth, as well as sleep problems, irritability and other symptoms. The risk of these symptoms is... Full Answer

Some research has suggested folic acid supplements may improve memory, especially in the elderly -- but the evidence is preliminary. In one study, men and women ages 60 to 74 who took 400 micrograms (mcg) of folic acid along with 100 mcg of... Full Answer

Some studies indicate that people with low levels of folate (or folic acid, the synthetic form of this vitamin) in their blood are at higher risk for gum disease. Mouth sores and tongue swelling can also be symptoms of a folate deficiency.... Full Answer

The B vitamin folic acid is good for cardiovascular health. Keeping your blood flowing smoothly is a key to preventing and even treating erectile dysfunction (ED). After all, ED is often an early warning sign of heart problems. In particular, some men... Full Answer

One study estimated that if everyone had proper levels of folate, the number of heart attacks in the United States could be reduced by 40,000 to 150,000 a year. In fact, these numbers may actually be too conservative! Statistics from risk-factor studies... Full Answer

By consistently taking 800 micrograms (mcg) of folate a day, you can make your RealAge (physiologic age) 1.2 years younger in just three months, and probably 3.7 years younger in three years. (Although most individuals really need 400 to 800 mcg for the... Full Answer

Folic acid deficiency anemia results from lower-than-normal levels of folic acid in the body. It causes symptoms such as weakness, fatigue and lightheadedness. Causes of folic acid deficiency anemia include: Not getting enough folic acid in the diet. An... Full Answer