What is vitamin B9 used for?
Folate (vitamin B-9) is important in red blood cell formation and for healthy cell growth and function. The nutrient is crucial during early pregnancy to reduce the risk of birth defects of the brain and spine.
What is vitamin B9 deficiency called?
Contents. Vitamin B12 or B9 (commonly called folate) deficiency anaemia occurs when a lack of vitamin B12 or folate causes the body to produce abnormally large red blood cells that cannot function properly. Red blood cells carry oxygen around the body using a substance called haemoglobin.
Is folinic acid vitamin B9?
Folate is the natural form of vitamin B9, water-soluble and naturally found in many foods. It is also added to foods and sold as a supplement in the form of folic acid; this form is actually better absorbed than that from food sources—85% vs. 50%, respectively.
What happens when your folic acid is too low?
When you have anemia, your blood can’t bring enough oxygen to all your tissues and organs. Without enough oxygen, your body can’t work as well as it should. Low levels of folic acid can cause megaloblastic anemia. With this condition, red blood cells are larger than normal.
What happens if folic acid deficiency is left untreated?
Folate deficiency will not go away on its own. Treatment is required and may involve dietary changes and/or oral supplements and treatment of underlying causes, if any are present. If left untreated, folate deficiency may result in folate deficiency anemia, which can cause severe complications.
What causes vitamin b9 deficiency?
A diet low in fresh fruits, vegetables, and fortified cereals is the main cause of folate deficiency. In addition, overcooking your food can sometimes destroy the vitamins. Folate levels in your body can become low in just a few weeks if you don’t eat enough folate-rich foods.
Can I take folinic acid instead of folic acid?
Folinic acid is chemically different to folic acid but both work in a similar way. If a person does not have enough folic acid or folinic acid, it is called a folate deficiency. MTX (a medication that is commonly prescribed to treat rheumatoid arthritis) works by blocking some of the effects of folic acid.
Is folinic acid better than folate?
The study did find that folinic acid was significantly more expensive than folic acid, although the outcomes associated with its use were no better or worse than those associated with the use of folic acid only (4).