Deficiency of folic acid causes anemia which often occurs in pregnant women and children. Serious skin disorders, loss of hair, impaired circulation, a greyish 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.
Almost all the anti-convulsant drugs used in the treatment of epilepsy reduce serum folate concentrations. In addition to anticonvulsants, other drugs such as oral contraceptives, pyrimethamine (an antimalarial) co-trimoxazole (contains a sulfur compound), and ethanol (alcohol) may impair folate metabolism.
Healing Properties Of Vitamin B9
Large doses of folic acid have been found beneficial in the treatment of a few diseases which are rare and often involve mental retardation. Some of these diseases were detected initially by the presence of megaloblastic anemia, a state suggestive of defective folic acid metabolism.
Folic acid normally has no adverse effects. However, when it is used to treat megaloblastic anemia (secondary to the use of anticonvulsant drugs), the epilepsy may be aggravated. If prescribed in the treatment of gout, it may interfere with drugs being prescribed for epilepsy, and hide the symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency. Hence folic acid therapy in gout too should only be taken under medical supervision.
Vitamin B9 for Megaloblastic Anemia
Folic acid is required for the treatment of nutritional megaloblastic anemia during pregnancy and infancy. A daily dose of 5,000 to 10, 000 mcg taken orally is usually sufficient. It is also advisable to take a small daily dose (around 400 mcg) of this vitamin during pregnancy. The Food and Drug Association of America (FDA) has also approved the claim that folic acid supplements can prevent certain birth defects.
Vitamin B9 for Sprue
Folic acid has been found valuable in curing Sprue, an intestinal disease characterised by a sore mouth and tongue, anaemia, severe diarrhoea, and large amounts of fat in the stools. This disease results from deficiency of folic acid and can be remedied by daily injections of 25 mg or 25,000 mcg of this vitamin. As food is poorly absorbed in this condition, a diet containing even sixty times that amount does not bring improvement. With the injection, however, improvement can be noticed in a single day and within a few days, the patient can absorb the vitamin well orally. Ultimately the diet for sprue must make up for the multiple and severe deficiencies resulting from diarrhoea.
Vitamin B9 for Abortion
Folic acid has proved beneficial in the treatment of recurrent abortions. It is, therefore, advisable to take 10,000 mcg of folic acid daily, with iron and Vitamin B12, from the beginning of pregnancy till its completion.
Vitamin B9 for Mental Retardation
Folic acid supplements have been used to improve the mental function and the quality of life among mentally retarded children. In the case of epileptic children and mentally deranged persons, regular treatment with 5,000 mcg of folic acid, three times daily, gets a quick healing response, and in many individuals, there has been a complete resolution of mental symptoms.
Vitamin B9 For Brown Spots On The Skin
Deficiency of folic acid, associated with vitamin B12 deficiency, causes darkish brown spotty pigmentation that usually appears on the face, inner mouth, under the arm pits, over the thighs, and on the palms. This happens particularly in the case of pregnant women and women on the pill. In such cases, administration of 10 mg or 10,000 mcg or-folic acid, along with 100 mcg of vitamin B12 taken thrice daily, shows a remarkable amelioration of the brownish pigmentation.
Vitamin B9 for Gout
Though most cases of gout are treated with dietary therapy, if additional support is necessary, folic acid is recommended in the range of 10-40 mg per day.
- Related Topics
- Vitamin B5 Deficiency Symptoms, Healing Properties and Precautions
- Vitamin D Healing Properties, Deficiency Symptoms and Precautions
- Vitamin B1 Healing Properties, Deficiency Symptoms and Precautions
- Vitamin C Healing Properties, Deficiency Symptoms
- Deficiency of Vitamin B12 Symptoms And Healing Properties Of B12
I find some of the Symptoms of Folic Acid Deficiency in me, Since nearly from 1year i am facing some problem in my digestion & horrible pain in my tongue. I had consulted the Doctor, he had prescribed me tablet (folic Acid)& Mouth Gel (Smiley)to be continued for one whole month. After 2 months it continued the same. Before a week for my period, my tongue starts drying up & it appears red in color, & some pimple type also irritate me, every month if I feel the Symptom I Intake the tablet which was prescribed by the doctor.Will you suggest me Please.