Folic acid and b12 - Assignment Example

Folic Acid Folic acid is very important in medical and nutritional studies and research. A lot of information can be learnt from assessing unmetabolized folic acid in serum of individuals for medical purposes (Robert & David 341). The amount of folic acid in blood is very important in helping the treatment of patients suffering from anemia. The level of folic acid in blood can also be used in nutritional studies to determine the nutritional status of individual, especially in alcoholic individuals.

Folic acid that has vitamin B is very important in the normal functioning of both white blood cells and red blood cells in blood of a human being. It is also significant in the synthesis of certain pyrimidines and purines which are important elements of the DNA (Wilton & Foureur 256).Determining the level of folic acid in the serum of individuals can help determine ones choice of folate supplement that may be recommended for them to help improve their nutrition status and improve their medical condition (De Wals et al 34).

If the level of folic acid is very low, the individuals may have a weak immune system because of the low levels of white blood cells in blood. This may also imply that the individual with lower levels of folic acid have poor nutritional statuses especially in the case of alcoholics. In this case therefore, it may be significant to increase the level of folic acid of the individuals so as to improve their medical situation. The type of folate to be used in this process will be based on the needs of the individuals, for instance if the white blood cells is very low, the individual may be required to be given folic acid rich in vitamin B.

Work CitedDietary Guidelines Advisory Committee, Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Report of the Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee on the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2010De Wals P, Tairou F, Van Allen MI, et al. (July 2007). "Reduction in neural-tube defects after folic acid fortification in Canada". N. Engl. J. Med. 357 (2): 135–42. Steven W. Bailey1 and June E. Ayling, The extremely slow and variable activity of dihydrofolate reductase in human liver and its implications for high folic acid intake, PNAS S vol. 106 no. 36 15424- 15429, 2009.

Robert Lee & David Nieman. Nutritional Assessment, 6th Edition. New York: McGraw-Hill Higher Education, 2013.Wilton DC, Foureur MJ (June 2010). "A survey of folic acid use in primigravid women". Women Birth 23 (2): 67–73.