Is Folic Acid Vitamin C

How To Consume Vitamin B12 B6 And Folic Acid

You can focus on adequate consumption of B Vitamins from your diet or switch to Vitamin B12, B6, and Folic acid supplements.

If you are pregnant or planning to conceive, you must take the necessary steps to increase your folic acid levels. Prenatal vitamins are important for preventing birth defects.

Elderly individuals may also need Vitamin B12, Vitamin B6, and Folic Acid supplements to get enough of all the B vitamins. Also, most of the people above 50 years of age suffer from the deficiency of at least one of these vitamins or even all three. So, it is a good idea to meet the deficiency through your diet or supplements.

Who Needs Folic Acid

As an essential water-soluble vitamin, everyone needs folate every day, including men, women, and children. How much folic acid to take per day, though, depends on age, life stage, and gender.

For instance, how much folic acid should a pregnant woman take? Women and teens who are pregnant or breastfeeding need more folic acid than others of the same age. In fact, many healthcare professionals recommend that all women of reproductive age increase their folate /folic acid intake even before they’re expecting. Why? Because roughly 50% of U.S. pregnancies are unplanned, and because major birth defects of the babys brain or spine may occur three to four weeks after conceptionbefore most women realize theyre pregnant.1 Thats why folic acid is included in womens multivitamins such as Nature Mades Womens Multivitamin as well as Prenatal Multivitamins.

Consult A Healthcare Professional

Before starting folic acid supplements, its important to talk with a healthcare professional. They can make sure the supplements will not interact negatively with other medications you may be taking.

Summary

Folic acid supplements are commonly used to prevent fetal development issues in pregnant people. Low levels of folate can be associated with health risks, and a deficiency of this essential nutrient may be caused by a medical condition.

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Vitamin C And Immunity

Vitamin C affects several components of the human immune system. Vitamin C appears to play a role in a number of neutrophil functions including increased chemotaxis, increased particulate ingestion, enhanced lysozyme-mediated non-oxidative killing, protection against the toxic effects of superoxide anion radical, inhibition of the halide-peroxide-myeloperoxidase system without a pronounced bactericidal effect, and stimulation of the hexose monophosphate shunt .

Vitamin C inhibits the excessive activation of the immune system to prevent tissue damage. It also supports antibacterial activity, stimulates natural killer cells and differentiation of Th0 subset into Th1 subset . In addition, vitamin C also modulates synthesis of proinflammatory cytokines, or expression of adhesive molecules .

Thus, vitamin C has diverse role as an antioxidant protecting the immune cells against intracellular ROS production during inflammatory response, acting as an enzymatic cofactor and maintaining tissue integrity and plays a crucial role in formation of skin, epithelial and endothelial barriers . Of late vitamin C supplementation has been found to be beneficial in various inflammatory conditions.

Food Sources Vitamin B6 B12 And Folic Acid

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What Are Some Side Effects That I Need To Call My Doctor About Right Away

WARNING/CAUTION: Even though it may be rare, some people may have very bad and sometimes deadly side effects when taking a drug. Tell your doctor or get medical help right away if you have any of the following signs or symptoms that may be related to a very bad side effect:

• Signs of an allergic reaction, like rash hives itching red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin with or without fever wheezing tightness in the chest or throat trouble breathing, swallowing, or talking unusual hoarseness or swelling of the mouth, face, lips, tongue, or throat.
• Black, tarry, or bloody stools.
• Fever.
• Very upset stomach or throwing up.
• Very bad belly pain.
• Throwing up blood or throw up that looks like coffee grounds.
• Stomach cramps.

• Diarrhea.
• Belly pain.

These are not all of the side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, call your doctor. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.

You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-332-1088. You may also report side effects at https://www.fda.gov/medwatch.

What Is The Mthfr Gene

The MTHFRgene provides instructions for your body to make the MTHFRprotein, which helps your body process folate. Your body needs folate to make DNA and modify proteins.1

MTHFR

Healthcare Providers: Read the new Medscape article MTHFR and Birth Defects: Does Type of Folate Matter?external icon

A gene variant is a change in a DNA sequence that is different from the expected DNA sequence. The most common variant in the MTHFR gene is MTHFR C677T.2 This variant may also be referred to as MTHFR 677 C> T orMTHFR 677 CT. This means at the 677 position in the MTHFR gene, C is the expected DNA base and T is the gene variant.3

Each person has two copies of the MTHFR gene: one from his or her mother and one from his or her father. These are the possible genotypes* of the MTHFR gene :

• MTHFR 677 CC
• MTHFR 677 CT or
• MTHFR 677 TT .

*A genotype is the combination of the set of genes responsible for a particular trait.

The number of people who have each of these genotypes will vary from population to population. When consuming the same amount of folic acid, people with the MTHFR 677 TT genotype have an average amount of folate in their blood that is only slightly lower than people with the MTHFR 677 CC genotype.4

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Where To Get Pregnancy Supplements

You can get supplements from pharmacies and supermarkets, or a GP may be able to prescribe them for you.

If you want to get your folic acid from a multivitamin tablet, make sure the tablet does not contain vitamin A .

You may be able to get free vitamins if you qualify for the Healthy Start scheme.

Find out more about the Healthy Start scheme.

Vitamin C And Heavy Metal Toxicity

Metals including iron, copper, chromium, and vanadium undergo redox cycling, while cadmium, mercury, and nickel, as well as lead deplete glutathione and protein-bound sulfhydryl groups, resulting in the production of ROS as superoxide ion, hydrogen peroxide, and hydroxyl radical. As a consequence, enhanced lipid peroxidation, DNA damage, and altered calcium and sulfhydryl homeostasis occur . Various experimental studies report the beneficial effect of vitamin C against heavy metal toxicity. Lead is considered as one of the common environmental poison in which protective role of vitamin C is extensively studied. A recent experimental study based on histopathological examination revealed the diminution of detrimental effects of chronic lead intoxication on liver, kidneys, brain and testes . In another study lead induced electrophysiological changes were inhibited in rat colon by AA administration . The beneficial effect of AA on lead concentrations in human studies is however inconclusive. A large survey comprising of 19,578 participants without prior history of lead poisoning reported that blood levels of AA are inversely related to plasma AA and recent dietary intake had no influence on blood levels. This study surmises that there may be a protective relationship between AA and lead .

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What Do I Need To Tell My Doctor Before I Take Iron Folic Acid Vitamin C And Vitamin B3

For all patients taking iron, folic acid, vitamin C, and vitamin B3:

• If you have an allergy to any part of iron, folic acid, vitamin C, and vitamin B3.
• If you are allergic to iron, folic acid, vitamin C, and vitamin B3 any part of iron, folic acid, vitamin C, and vitamin B3 or any other drugs, foods, or substances. Tell your doctor about the allergy and what signs you had.
• If you have too much iron in your body.
• If you have certain types of anemia like pernicious anemia or hemolytic anemia.

Children:

• If your child is younger than 12 years of age. Do not give iron, folic acid, vitamin C, and vitamin B3 to a child younger than 12 years of age.

This is not a list of all drugs or health problems that interact with iron, folic acid, vitamin C, and vitamin B3.

Tell your doctor and pharmacist about all of your drugs and health problems. You must check to make sure that it is safe for you to take iron, folic acid, vitamin C, and vitamin B3 with all of your drugs and health problems. Do not start, stop, or change the dose of any drug without checking with your doctor.

Signs Of Deficiency And Toxicity

Deficiency

A folate deficiency is rare because it is found in a wide range of foods. However, the following conditions may put people at increased risk:

• Alcoholism. Alcohol interferes with the absorption of folate and speeds the rate that folate breaks down and is excreted from the body. People with alcoholism also tend to eat poor-quality diets low in folate-containing foods.
• Pregnancy. The need for folate increases during pregnancy as it plays a role in the development of cells in the fetus.
• Intestinal surgeries or digestive disorders that cause malabsorption. Celiac disease and inflammatory bowel disease can decrease the absorption of folate. Surgeries involving the digestive organs or that reduce the normal level of stomach acid may also interfere with absorption.
• Genetic variants. People carrying a variant of the gene MTHFR cannot convert folate to its active form to be used by the body.

Signs of deficiency can include: megaloblastic anemia weakness, fatigue irregular heartbeat shortness of breath difficulty concentrating hair loss pale skin mouth sores.

Toxicity

It is extremely rare to reach a toxic level when eating folate from food sources.

Overall, the evidence suggests that the amount of folic acid in a typical multivitamin does not cause any harmand may help prevent some diseases, especially among people who do not get enough folate in their diets, and among individuals who drink alcohol.

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How Much Folate Do I Need

Adults need 200 micrograms of folate a day. A microgram is 1,000 times smaller than a milligram . The word microgram is sometimes written with the Greek symbol μ followed by the letter g .

There are no long-term stores in the body, so you need to eat folate-containing foods frequently.

Most people should be able to get the amount of folate they need by eating a varied and balanced diet.

Nutrient Content Claims: Reference Informationfoods To Which Vitamins Mineral Nutrients And Amino Acids May Or Must Be Added

Note: In the second column of this table, “mandatory” refers to nutrients that must be present in the food at levels specified in the Food and Drug Regulations . For some mandatory requirements, nutrients may not have to be added to achieve the levels identified in the regulations. “Voluntary” refers to nutrients that may be added to the products listed, also subject to levels specified in the FDR. The third column, “FDR Reference”, refers to the sections of the Regulations where nutrient levels and other specific requirements are found.

In the past, Interim Marketing Authorizations had been issued by Health Canada to permit the addition of vitamins and minerals to certain foods. The IMA process bridged the time between the completion of the scientific evaluation supporting certain amendments and publication of the approved amendments in the Canada Gazette, Part II.

As of October 25, 2012, Health Canada no longer issues IMAs as the ability to do so was replaced in the Food and Drugs Act with the Marketing Authorization authority. In collaboration with the CFIA, Health Canada therefore developed an interim policy position on the use of expired IMAs related to food fortification. The complete details of this policy, which was published in March 2017, can be found in the Interim Policy on the Use of Expired Interim Marketing Authorizations Related to Food Fortification.

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Vitamin C And Neurodegenerative Disorders

Very few studies have examined the effect of vitamin C with typical antipsychotics in the treatment of schizophrenia. Oral supplementation of vitamin C with antipsychotic reverses AA levels, reduces oxidative stress, and improves BPRS score, hence both the drugs in combination can be used in the treatment of schizophrenia . The findings of another study suggest that antioxidant supplement therapy as an adjuvant therapy is useful in patients with stress-induced psychiatric disorders . There are also reports advocating beneficial effect of vitamin C in neurodegenerative disorders including Alzheimers disease. Overall there is large body of evidence supporting that maintaining healthy vitamin C level can have a protective function against age related cognitive decline but avoiding vitamin C deficiency is likely to be more beneficial than taking supplements on top of normal healthy diet .

Healthy Foods That Are High In Folate

Folate, also known as vitamin B9, is a water-soluble vitamin that has many important functions in your body.

In particular, it supports healthy cell division and promotes proper fetal growth and development to reduce the risk of birth defects .

Vitamin B9 is found naturally in many foods, as well as in the form of folic acid in fortified foods.

Its recommended that healthy adults get at least 400 mcg of folate per day to prevent a deficiency (

Legumes are the fruit or seed of any plant in the Fabaceae family, including:

• beans
• peas
• lentils

Although the exact amount of folate in legumes can vary, theyre an excellent source of folate.

For example, one cup of cooked kidney beans contains 131 mcg of folate, or about 33% of the Daily Value .

Meanwhile, one cup of cooked lentils contains 358 mcg of folate, which is 90% of the DV .

Legumes are also a great source of protein, fiber, and antioxidants, as well as important micronutrients like potassium, magnesium, and iron .

SUMMARY

Legumes are rich in folate and many other nutrients. One cup of cooked lentils contains 90% of the DV, while one cup of cooked kidney beans contains about 33% of the DV.

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What Are Some Things I Need To Know Or Do While I Take Iron/folic Acid/vitamin C/vitamin B12

• Tell all of your health care providers that you take iron/folic acid/vitamin C/vitamin B12. This includes your doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and dentists.
• If you are allergic to soy, talk with your doctor. Some products have soy.
• This medicine may affect certain lab tests. Tell all of your health care providers and lab workers that you take iron/folic acid/vitamin C/vitamin B12.
• If you are allergic to tartrazine, talk with your doctor. Some products have tartrazine.
• Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan on getting pregnant. You will need to talk about the benefits and risks of using iron/folic acid/vitamin C/vitamin B12 while you are pregnant.
• Tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding. You will need to talk about any risks to your baby.

Precautions You Need To Take While Consuming Vitamin B12 B6 And Folic Acid Supplements

Before taking the supplements, make sure you consult your doctor. Tell them about the allergies you suffer from and let them decide if you should take the multivitamin supplements or not. The supplements may also contain inactive ingredients that might trigger an allergic reaction.

You need to be extra careful if you are suffering from blood conditions such as anemia, pernicious anemia, etc.

Multivitamins containing the B vitamin combination can make you a little drowsy. So, avoid activities such as driving, operating heavy machinery, etc.

In case you are pregnant or lactating, dont consume the multivitamins before consulting your doctor. The medicine can pass into your breast milk while breastfeeding.

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How To Get Enough Folic Acid To Prevent Neural Tube Defects

In addition to eating foods with folate from a varied diet, women can get folic acid from

• Taking a vitamin that has folic acid in it:
• Most vitamins sold in the United States have the recommended daily amount of folic acid that women need for the prevention of neural tube defects. Vitamins can be found at most local pharmacy, grocery, or discount stores.

If taking folic acid for reasons other than neural tube defect prevention, talk to your healthcare provider.

Vitamin D In Pregnancy

You need 10 micrograms of vitamin D each day and should consider taking a supplement containing this amount between September and March.

Vitamin D regulates the amount of calcium and phosphate in the body, which are needed to keep bones, teeth and muscles healthy. Our bodies make vitamin D when our skin is exposed to summer sunlight .

It’s not known exactly how much time is needed in the sun to make enough vitamin D to meet the body’s needs, but if you’re in the sun take care to cover up or protect your skin with sunscreen before you start to turn red or burn.

Vitamin D is also in some foods, including:

• oily fish
• eggs
• red meat

Vitamin D is added to some breakfast cereals, fat spreads and non-dairy milk alternatives. The amounts added to these products can vary and might only be small.

Because vitamin D is only found in a small number of foods, whether naturally or added, it is difficult to get enough from foods alone.

Do not take more than 100 micrograms of vitamin D a day as it could be harmful.

You can get vitamin supplements containing vitamin D free of charge if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding and qualify for the Healthy Start scheme.

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