Folic acid and vitamin B12 for pregnant women may avoiding down syndrome

Folic acid (also known as vitamin B9 or folacin) and folate (the naturally occurring form), as well as pteroyl-L-glutamic acid and pteroyl-L-glutamate, are forms of the water-soluble vitamin B9. Folic acid is itself not biologically active, but its biological importance is due to tetrahydrofolate and other derivatives after its conversion to dihydrofolic acid in the liver.

Vitamin B9 (folic acid and folate inclusive) is essential to numerous bodily functions ranging from nucleotide biosynthesis to the remethylation of homocysteine. The human body needs folate to synthesize DNA, repair DNA, and methylate DNA as well as to act as a cofactor in biological reactions involving folate. It is especially important during periods of rapid cell division and growth. Both children and adults require folic acid to produce healthy red blood cells and prevent anemia. Folate and folic acid derive their names from the Latin word folium (which means "leaf"). Leafy vegetables are a principal source, although in Western diets fortified cereals and bread may be a larger dietary source.


Studies conducted by the University of Maryland Medical Center show that folic acid deficiency is the biggest problem for those lacking in vitamin B. If you are lacking in folic acid it can cause you to experience stunted growth, mental sluggishness and breathing difficulties to name a few.

A deficiency in folic acid also showed signs of causing growth problems, swelling of the tongue, gum disease, poor appetite, gastroenteritis, moodiness, forgetfulness, foggy brain and shortness of breath. The University of Maryland Medical Centre claims to have conducted extensive research to support these beliefs.

When a woman is pregnant, the growing baby needs to take a lot of folic acid from her own supply. It is quiet common for pregnant women to develop a folic acid deficiency, and in serious cases can result in spinal bifida or brain damage for the child.

Diseases everyone has heard of such as Alzheimer's, coronary disease, Down's syndrome and osteoporosis are all connected to folic acid deficiency. This is because it can result in razing homocysteine (an amino acid) levels, which can be avoided by taking a vitamin b12 supplement

If you want to avoid problems developing from a folic acid deficiency, you need to have a good look at your diet and consider a good vitamin B supplement. Vegetables like asparagus, beetroot, beef liver, whole grains, root vegetables and soy beans are high in folic acid. When you choose your vitamin B supplement find one that offers the full range of B's so you cover all your bases.

Of all the B vitamins, folic acid is the one people are mostly lacking. Taking a vitamin B supplement can help you avoid problems with appetite, growth, breathing and learning to name a few. Folic acid is detrimental during pregnancy to avoid the baby being born with problems like spinal bifida or Down syndrome. When you purchase a vitamin B product, make sure it is a complete complex that has all the types of b vitamins.


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