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Vitamin
B9 | Folic Acid |
What is the
importance of vitamin
B9 ?
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Vitamin
B-9, otherwise known as
folic acid, serves as a
coenzyme during the
creation of DNA. This
vitamin is also very
important to the growth
and reproduction of all
body cells, including
red blood cells.
Folic acid, in
combination with
vitamin B12, is
essential for the
formation, maturation
and multiplication of
red blood cells. It is
necessary for the growth
and division of all body
cells, including nerve
cells, and for
manufacturing a number
of nerve transmitters.
It also produces nucleic
acids, RNA (ribonucleic
acid) and DNA
(deoxyribonucleic acid),
that carry hereditary
patterns. It aids in
protein metabolism and
contributes to normal
growth. Folic acid helps
in the building of
antibodies which prevent
and heal infections. It
is essential for the
health of the skin and
hair, and helps to
prevent premature
graying of the hair.
Folic acid is the single
most important nutrient
for a pregnant woman and
her developing fetus. In
fact, eating fresh
fruits and vegetables
rich in folate, from
conception until the due
date, is the best policy
a woman can adopt to
ensure that her
pregnancy will be a
happy and a healthy one.
Folic acid also improves
lactation.
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How do you know if
you need more vitamin
B9?
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Deficiency of folic acid
causes anemia which
often occurs in pregnant
women and children.
Serious skin disorders,
loss of hair,
impaired circulation, a
grayish-brown skin
pigmentation,
fatigue, and mental
depression can
result from a deficiency
of this vitamin.
Reproductive
disorders such as
spontaneous abortions
and difficult labor, and
a high infant death rate
can also be caused by
folic acid deficiency.
Vitamin B9 deficiency
may also lead to loss of
libido in males.
According to studies,
two-thirds of geriatric
patients were found to
be deficient in folic
acid, while one-third of
psychiatric patients
were also deficient in
this vitamin. Lack of
folic acid can also lead
to dementia.
Lack of folic acid in
pregnant women has been
found to cause birth
defects.
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How much
vitamin B9 do you
need?
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It is
impossible for anyone to
tell you how much of any
particular vitamin you
need. We have read many
articles and reports on
this subject and no two
are alike. There are too
many variables involved.
Your age, your height
and weight, your health
and lifestyle, etc. The
best way for you to
decide which supplements
you need is to read
these pages and make
note of any health
problems you may be
having which could be
associated with a
vitamin deficiency. Then
start taking a small
dose. If your symptoms
don't go away after a
week or two, increase
your dosage. Continue
this until your symptoms
are relieved and stay
with that dosage.
Guideline is for a 150
pound adult:
- Men: 800 mcg.
Best if taken as
part of a
B Complex
- Women: 800 mcg. Best
if taken as part of
a
B Complex
Always consult your
doctor or midwife during
pregnancy and lactation.
Always start small
and work your way up, if
needed. Please be
careful when dealing
with fat soluble
vitamins as your body
retains these for
extended periods of
time. It is possible to
take to much of these
types of vitamins.
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How to get enough
vitamin B9?
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Eating
a variety of foods that
contain vitamin B9
is the best way to get
an adequate amount.
Healthy individuals who
eat a balanced diet
rarely need supplements.
Select foods that
contain excellent to
good sources of
vitamin B9 each day.
Such as the following: |
Legumes and green
vegetables such as
spinach and mint are
valuable sources of
folic acid. Besides
green leaves, folic acid
is found in some seeds
and meat.
If you eat an
abundant quantity of the
above foods, you will
not have to worry about
supplementing your diet
with extra Vitamin B9.
If you don't eat much of
the above foods, you
might consider adding a
supplement.
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We
get all our personal
use vitamins and supplements
from
Puritan's Pride .
We highly recommend you
do the same, for
all your vitamin and
supplement needs. Their
products are always
fresh and of the highest
quality. Their prices
can't be beat, not even
by Wal-Mart. Shipping is
very fast and
inexpensive. |
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