| Proper name |
Pteroylmonoglutamate. The active form is Tetrahydrofolic acid |
| Category |
B
Vitamin |
| Functions |
Folate is required to attach single carbon molecules to many compounds including;
purines, thymine and heme (a component of hemoglobin). Purines and Thymine
are essential to cell division and the formation of healthy DNA. Hemoglobin
is necessary to carry oxygen to cells. Facilitates the conversion of homocysteine
to methionine. |
| RDA |
200 mcg per day. |
| Therapeutic
dose |
800-4,000 mcg per day. |
| Deficiency symptoms |
Megaloblastic anemia. Pregnant women, growing infants, children and adolescents,
dieters and smokers are at risk for megaloblastic anemia from folate deficiency.
Sprue, a disease characterized by malabsorption, diarrhea, intestinal
lesions, macrocytic anemia and malnutrition is effectively treated by folate.
Neural tube defect, cleft palate and spina bifida are congenital disorders
resulting from folate deficiency. 800 mcg per day of folate is recommended
during pregnancy and lactation. Heart disease may result in part from
folate deficiency as folate is required to convert homocysteine to methionine.
Homocysteine a risk factor in atherosclerosis and thrombosis. Folate is
used to treat cervical dysplasia (abnormal PAP smear), bronchial sqamous
metaplasia (precancerous bronchial cells caused by smoking), and dysplasia
associated with ulcerative colitis and colon cancer. Headache, fatigue,
hair loss, insomnia, anorexia, nausea, diarrhea and increased susceptability
to infections may result from folate deficiency. Food sources Leafy greens
(the name folate is derived from the same root as foliage), brewer's yeast,
eggs, liver, beans, beets, whole grains, orange and cantaloupe. Folate is
also synthesized by probiotic intestinal bacteria (see lactobacillis acidophilus
and bifidus). |
| Toxicity |
None known. High levels of folate can mask B12 deficiency. |
| Best
forms
|
Folicinic acid |
| Food
sources |
Brewer's yeast, liver, lean meat, egg and cheese. |
| Lab
tests |
RBC folate, serum folate Neutraphilic Hypersegmentation Index is the most
sensitive test for folate deficiency. |
| Drug
interactions |
The chemotherapeutic drug methotrexate (amethopterin) blocks the function
of folate to prevent cell division in cancer. Another common cause of
folate deficiency is use of oral contraceptives. Other drugs that interfere
with folate metabolism are; Asprin, barbiturates, cabamazepine, celecoxib,
cholestyramine, choline magnesium trisalicylate, choline salicylate, cimetidine,
colestipol, corticosteroids, ethosuximide, famotidine, fosphenytoin, hydrochlorothiazide,
indomethacin, methsuximide, nizatidine, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories,
phytoin, primidone, ranitidine bismuth citrate, ranitidine, salsalate, sulphatriamterene,
salazine, trimethoprim, valprioc acid. |
| Nutrient interactions |
Works with B12 to promote cell division. |
| Metabolism |
Water-soluble, it
is easily absorbed and also excreted. Folate is easily destroyed by heat,
light and oxygen.
|
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