| Like vitamin B12, folate is intimately involved in the synthesis of
DNA and RNA, and the metabolism of all amino acids; vital to producing
red blood cells (erythrocytes) which carry oxygen from the lungs to
the tissues, and carbon dioxide from tissues to the lungs; when a
folate deficiency is present, it can result in anemia and reduced
tissue oxygenation, which, in turn, results in a condition known as
megaloblastic anemia; essential for the healthy maturation of red
and white blood cells; essential for the health of the fetus in preventing
spina bifida (neural tube defects) and other birth defects; may protect
against certain types of cancers including bronchial squamous metaplasia
in long-time heavy cigarette smokers, dysplasia associated with ulcerative
colitis and colon cancer, and precancerous cervical dysplasia in women
(especially those who take oral contraceptives), and has been shown
to prevent and reverse cervical dysplasia; required for the conversion
of homocysteine to methionine and thus, lowers homocysteine levels
(when used in combination with vitamin B6 and vitamin B12), reducing
the risk of heart disease (research confirms that elevated homocysteine
status increases the risk of heart disease by damaging coronary arteries,
eventually leading to atherosclerosis and other forms of heart disease).
A folate deficiency could be a contributing cause of anorexia,
cancer, cervical dysplasia, chronic fatigue, constipation, diarrhea,
elevated homocysteine, glossitis, gum disease, hair loss, headache,
heart disease, hypersegmentation of neutrophils and with severe
deficiency- intestinal lesions, increased infections, insomnia,
megaloblastic anemia (identical in appearance to a vitamin B12 deficiency),
memory impairment, nausea, neural tube defects and other birth defects,
paranoia, and restless legs. Folate deficiency also harms DNA metabolism
which caused abnormal cellular development, especially in cells
with the most rapid rates of turnover (epithelial cells of the stomach,
intestine, vagina and uterine cervix, leukocytes and red blood cells).
Further, individuals at highest risk for a folate deficiency include
alcoholics, anti-convulsant therapy (barbiturates, phenytoin, primidone),
vitamin B12 deficiency, elderly, folate antagonist therapy (5-fluorouracil,
methotrexate, pyrimethamine), increased rate of cellular division
(burns, haemolytic anemia, malignancies, trauma), infants, inherited
folate disorders, malabsorption, malnourished, oral contraceptive
users, pregnant and lactating women, sulfasalazine therapy, tuberculosis
therapy (isoniazid plus cycloserine).
Pharmaceutical drugs that can cause a folate deficiency include
aspirin, barbiturates, carbamazepine, celecoxib, cholestyramine
resin, choline magnesium trisalicylate, choline salicylate, cimetidine,
colestipol, corticosteroids, cycloserine, ethosuximide, famotidine,
5-fluorouracil, fosphenytoin, hydrochlorothiazide and triamterene,
indomethacin, isoniazid, methotrexate, methsuximide, nizatidine,
non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, oral contraceptives, phenytoin,
primidone, pyrimethamine, ranitidine bismuth citrate, ranitidine
hydrochloride, salsalate, sulfasalazine, triamterene, trimethoprim
and valproic acid and derivaties.
Dietary sources
richest in folate (per serving) include beet, broccoli, brussel
sprouts, cabbage, cantaloupe, cauliflower, egg, dark green leafy
vegetables, legumes (beans [particularly kidney and lima], lentils,
peas, soybeans), liver, nutritional supplements, nutritional yeasts,
nuts, orange juice, seeds, wheat germ, and whole grains and grain
products. Folate is easily destroyed by heat, light and oxygen,
and substantial losses occur in cooking and storage.
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