Why do women need folate?
-
Mia Lundin answered:Folic acid: Folic acid has been proven to provide support for healthy nervous system function and a healthy mood. Poor dietary habits contribute to folic acid deficiencies, as do illness, alcoholism, and various drugs, including aspirin, birth control pills, barbiturates, and anticonvulsants. Folic acid is usually administered along with vitamin B12, since a B12 deficiency can mask a folic acid deficiency. Folic acid deficiency may increase the risk of depression. Antidepressants tend to work better when taken with folic acid. The preferred form of folic acid is 5-methyltetrahydrofolate (5-MTHF) a highly bioavailable form of folate easily absorbed and readily usable by cells. This is the only form of folate that can cross the blood-brain barrier. It requires no additional metabolic steps to be used by the body.Folic acid: Folic acid has been proven to provide support for healthy nervous system function and a healthy mood. Poor dietary habits contribute to folic acid deficiencies, as do illness, alcoholism, and various drugs, including... More -
Piedmont Heart Institute answered:Folate helps keep your blood healthy. Not getting enough can cause a type of anemia. Having anemia means you have fewer healthy red blood cells than normal. This makes it hard for your blood to carry enough oxygen throughout your body.
Signs that you may have anemia:
Feeling very tired Headache Sore mouth and tongue Pale skinFolate can also help prevent some birth defects (problems with the baby). Getting enough folate before and during pregnancy can help prevent certain defects of the baby&apso;s spine and brain:
Spina bifida is a problem with the spine. The nerves that control leg movements and other functions do not work. Children with spina bifida often have lifelong disabilities. They may also need many surgeries. Anencephaly is when most or all of the brain does not develop. Babies with this problem die before or shortly after birth.Experts think that folate might also help prevent:
Some cancers Alzheimer&apso;s disease Hearing loss as you ageMore research is needed to know this for certain.
This answer is based on source information from The National Women's Health Information Center.
Folate helps keep your blood healthy. Not getting enough can cause a type of anemia. Having anemia means you have fewer healthy red blood cells than normal. This makes it hard for your blood to carry enough oxygen throughout your body. Signs that... More
