Description

PROPERTIES OF FOLIC ACID
Folic acid is important for nervous and digestive system support, red blood cell formation, protein metabolism, and energy production. It has been used to prevent and treat anemia due to folic acid deficiency, alcoholism, liver disease, pregnancy, breastfeeding, use of birth control pills. Folic acid acts as a coenzyme during DNA synthesis, contributing to the smooth division of cells (see L-METHIONINE for lung cancer).
It may play a role in combating anxiety and depression, as well as treating cervical dysplasia.

It is also essential for normal body development. Folic acid combined with vitamin B12 gives very good synergistic results. However, it should be emphasized here that both the lack of folic acid and the lack of vitamin B12 cause the same type of anemia (macrocytic anemia). For this reason, the treatment of this anemia by taking folic acid should not reassure the patient, because he may still suffer from a lack of vitamin B12, with all that this may entail for the good functioning of the brain. Thus, for the treatment of macrocytic anemia it is good to take folic acid and vitamin B12 together.
The deficiency of folic acid (mainly) and vitamins B6, B12 leads to increased levels of homocysteine, an amino acid, which in increased concentration in the body, may cause damage to the vessels and promotes arteriosclerosis. In addition, homocysteine is an important independent risk factor for stroke and appears to play a role in Alzheimer's disease and osteoporosis. A multivitamin containing folate, B6 and B12 will help control homocysteine.