Vitamin B9
Vitamin B9
Vitamin B9 is also known as folic acid, folacin, or folate. It is a very
essential vitamin because it is imperative to cell growth and division,
energy production, and red blood cell formation. The red blood cells
distribute oxygen and nutrients across the different systems of the
human body.
Vitamin B9 also assists in digestion. This vitamin has likewise been
proven effective in treating depression and anxiety.
Excellent sources of Vitamin B9 are fresh green vegetables, fruits,
beans, whole grains, and liver.
Vitamin B9 Deficiency
Tell tale signs of Vitamin B9 deficiency are diarrhea, heartburn, and
constipation.
As Vitamin B9 is essential to the development of the nervous system of a
developing fetus, deficiency can have fatal consequences to the
unborn’s nervous system. Meanwhile, adults who are deficient in this
vitamin may suffer from fatigue, acne, a sore tongue or mouth. The long
-term effect of this deficiency is usually osteoporosis, or cancer of the
bowel or cervix.
The Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) is 400 micrograms per day.
Anybody who is taking epilepsy medication must refrain from large
amounts of Vitamin B9 as this can alter the effect of the medication. For
healthy individuals, overdose of the vitamin usually brings about vowel
upsets, sluggishness, and insomnia.
Vitamin B9 is best taken in concert with other B complex vitamins and
with Vitamin C.
Expecting mothers are often advised to take Vitamin B9 supplements to
ward off premature labor and hemorrhaging. Other people who stand to
benefit from Vitamin B9 supplementation are psoriasis sufferers,
workers in high-stress environments, and habitual alcohol drinkers.
Light, heat as well as extended storage destroy Vitamin B9.