Vitamin B9/Folate a water soluble vitamin that is not stored in the body fat for later use. Since it is not stored, daily consumption is necessary to obtain the recommended daily allowance.
The Recommended Daily Intake of Vitamin B9/Folate for men and nonpregnant women is 400mcg daily.
Vitamin B9/Folate is important for:
- DNA and RNA synthesis
- Metabolism of amino acids
- Proper formation of blood cells
- Healthy cell function and growth.
- Proper fetal nervous system development
Deficiencies in Vitamin B9/Folate are rare in developed countries but can be seen in:
- Those with a poor diet
- Alcoholism
- Malabsorption disorders such as celiac disease and inflammatory bowel disease
- Those taking certain medications such as seizure medications, methotrexate and some antibiotics
Signs and Symptoms of Folate Deficiency:
- Anemia
- Diarrhea
- Ulcers of the mouth
- Swollen tongue
- Pale skin
- Fatigue
- Irritability
- Decreased Appetite
- Poor growth
- Shortness of breath
- Birth defects in babies born to women who are deficient
Vitamin B9/Folate is naturally occurring in some foods, added to foods as well as available in supplement form. Bacteria in the colon can produce folate but the amount of total body folate from this production is not well studied.
There are numerous food sources of Vitamin B9/Folate including:
- Spinach
- Romaine lettuce
- Mustard greens
- Black eyed peas
- Asparagus
- Kale
- Brussel sprouts
- Broccoli
- Avocado
- Green peas
- Tomato juice
- Oranges
- Papaya
- Banana
- Lemons
- Melons
- Kidney beans
- Eggs
- Enriched cereals, breads, pasta and rice
- Fruits
- Nuts
- Beans
- Seafood
- Eggs
- Dairy
- Meats
- Grains
As you can see there are so many dietary options to add to your diet and start getting your adequate daily intake of Vitamin B9/Folate.
This article is for information purposes only. If you have any symptoms always consult your medical provider. Also, always consult your medical provider prior to starting a new diet or supplement.
References:
Folate Fact Sheet for Health Professionals. https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Folate-HealthProfessional. Accessed 2020.
Institute of Functional Medicine Fact Sheet. Micronutrients: Vitamins. Accessed 2020
Center for Disease Control. Folic Acid. Accessed 2020. https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/folicacid/about.html
Mount Sinai Health Library. Vitamin B9 (Folic Acid). https://www.mountsinai.org/health-library/supplement/vitamin-b9-folic-acid. Accessed 2020.
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