Folate or Folic Acid - Essay Example

Dementia and pernicious anemia can develop and both conditions are reversible if caught early. Common uses of folic acid are to protect against birth defects, reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke, lower the risk for certain cancers and the alleviation of depression, particularly in elderly people. The occurrence of NTDs in the USA is estimated to have been reduced by 19% following folic acid fortification of grain products in the food supply. The Reference Nutrient Intake (RNI) for folate for adults is 200 micrograms/day.

 Folic acid is PGA itself, and this form is not present in significant quantities in foods or in the human body. The natural derivatives of PGA found in most foods have a bioavailability of around 50–75 percent, whereas synthetic folic acid used as a food formant and as a dietary supplement is more highly available at around 85 percent. Folates are present in most natural foods. Liver, yeast extract, green leafy vegetables, legumes and some fruits are rich sources. The synthetic form used for folic acid fortification and in folic acid supplements is PGA, and this is more stable than the other forms of the vitamins.

 Because excessive folic acid is understood to exacerbate vitamin B12 deficiency, the upper safe level from fortified foods and supplements has been set at 1000 micrograms/day by the US Institute of Medicine. Similarly, the safe intake of folic acid recommended an upper safe level of 1000 micrograms per day. The occurrence of drug antagonisms by folic acid has been reported at intakes of 5000 micrograms or higher. Folate is a water-soluble B vitamin that occurs naturally in food. Folic acid is the synthetic form of folate that is found in supplements and added to fortified foods.

It gets its name from the Latin word "folium" for the leaf. It is a nutrient needed to prevent the anemia of pregnancy.