Key Causes of Folic Acid Deficiency and the Implications for Your Health

Folic acid is an essential water-soluble vitamin that makes up part of the B vitamin family (i.e., Vitamin B9). It is essential for the development of red blood cells, nucleic acids, and amino acids.  It can be gotten from food sources like green leafy vegetables, nuts, fortified grains, etc. Folic acid deficiency can impact your health in various ways.

Your body cannot make folic acid on its own, and it doesn’t store it for long either. When you don’t get enough folic acid, it can silently trigger serious health problems. You may feel tired all the time, fall sick easily, or struggle to concentrate. The worst part is, folic acid deficiency can go unnoticed until these symptoms manifest.

However, let’s talk about the main reasons people become deficient in folic acid, and how it can negatively affect your health if it’s not addressed promptly.

Key Causes of Folic Acid Deficiency

• Alcohol consumption:

Alcohol consumption can cause folic acid deficiency. Alcohol damages the lining of your stomach and intestines, which makes it harder for your body to absorb folic acid from food. Also, people who consume excessive amounts of alcohol tend to get their calories from alcohol and neglect their diet. This can lead to reduced dietary intake. Alcohol also makes you urinate more often. Each time you pee, your body loses some folic acid.

• Genetic causes:

Are you aware that some people might be genetically unable to utilize or process folic acid? Click on this link to learn more about why this happens;
https://naturesfieldng.com/mthfr-gene-mutation-in-pregnancy-what-expectant-mothers-should-know/

• Digestive disorders:

Your body gets folic acid from the food you eat, like green vegetables, beans, and fruits. After eating, your digestive system breaks the food down and absorbs the nutrients through the walls of your small intestine, especially in the upper part called the duodenum. That’s how folic acid gets into your bloodstream and reaches the rest of your body. However, when you have a digestive disorder like celiac disease, Crohn’s disease, or ulcerative colitis, these disorders can cause inflammation and damage the lining of your small intestine. Ultimately, this hinders the absorption of folic acid.  

• Medication:

Certain drugs can interfere with the absorption of folic acid in two ways: by disrupting the metabolism of folic acid or directly disrupting the absorption of folic acid from foods. These medications include some antibiotics, anticonvulsants, and seizure medications.

• Increased usage:

Folic acid is essential for various metabolic processes in your body. It helps to make healthy red blood cells and supports the growth of tissues and organs. Thus, certain conditions can increase the need for folic acid in your body. These conditions include: pregnancy, kidney dialysis, skin conditions, etc. If you don’t get enough, your body runs low, leading to folic acid deficiency.

How to Incorporate Folic Acid Into Your Daily Routine

• Eating foods rich in folic acid: Folic acid can be obtained from various naturally occurring foods. These foods include nuts, vegetables, fruits, and foods fortified with folic acid.
• Use of supplement: You can improve your levels of folic acid by taking supplements derived from the source of folate, like NATURE’SFIELD FOLITE. The unique feature of this supplement is that it also contains Vitamin B12 and B6, which help prevent different types of anemia, pregnancy complications, and dangerous birth defects.

However, understanding the key causes of folic acid deficiency is crucial for maintaining optimal health. By being aware of the risk factors and taking essential steps to address them, you can reduce your likelihood of deficiency.

Supplementing with a high-quality folic acid supplement, such as NATURE’SFIELD FOLITE, can also help support your overall health and wellbeing. Remember, prioritizing your health today will have a transformative impact on your overall health in the future.