folic peptide FAQ

Tell your health care provider about all of your health conditions and any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. This will help them know if folic acid is right for you. In particular, make sure that you discuss any of the following. Low Vitamin B12 Levels. Taking folic acid might mask the symptoms of low vitamin B12 levels or make the symptoms worse. Your health care provider will let you know if you should have your vitamin B12 levels checked before taking folic acid. MTHFR Gene Mutation. Some people have a change in their MTHFR gene, known as an MTHFR gene mutation. This gene tells the body to convert folic acid to its active form. People with an MTHFR gene mutation might not convert as much folic acid to its active form. Tell your health care provider if you have an MTHFR gene mutation. They will let you know whether you should take folic acid and how much you should take. Other Current and Past Health Conditions. Tell your health care provider if you have or have had any of the following.

Storage requirements for folic acid may vary based on the product you are taking. Check your product label. Folic acid should usually be stored at room temperature, between 68 F and 77 F (20 C and 25 C). It can be exposed to temperatures between 59 F and 86 F (15 C and 30 C) for shorter periods of time, such as when transporting it. Store in a cool, dry place. If you are not sure how to store it, ask your pharmacist.

There are no known interactions between folic acid and foods or drinks. It is unknown if drinking alcohol will affect folic acid, but drinking large amounts of alcohol may lower the levels of vitamin B9 in your body. It is best to limit the amount of alcohol you drink.

Folic acid is usually well tolerated. Tell your health care provider if you have any side effects that bother you. Contact your health care provider if you think you are having a side effect of a medicine. In the U.S., you can report side effects to the FDA at www.fda.gov/medwatch or by calling 800-FDA-1088 (800-332-1088). In Canada, you can report side effects to Health Canada at www.health.gc.ca/medeffect or by calling 866-234-2345.

Always tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. In particular, make sure that you discuss if you are using any of the following before using folic acid.

While less common, the most serious side effects of folic acid are described below, along with what to do if they happen. Severe Allergic Reactions. Folic acid may cause allergic reactions, which can be serious. Stop taking folic acid and get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction.

If you or someone else has used too much folic acid, get medical help right away, call 911, or contact a Poison Control center at 800-222-1222.

Allergies to Ingredients. People who are allergic to any of the following should not take folic acid.

Folic acid is a form of vitamin B9 that is commonly used for the following.

Folic acid is a form of vitamin B9. Your body uses vitamin B9, also known as folate, to make DNA and to help your cells grow and divide. In the United States, most people get enough folate from their diet. It is found in beef liver, vegetables, fruits, nuts, beans, and peas. It is also found in many fortified cereals and grains. For most adults, the recommended daily intake of folate is 400 micrograms (mcg). However, some people either do not get enough from their diet or have trouble absorbing it. When this happens, you can take folic acid to replace what you are not getting from your diet.

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and only take the next dose. Do not take double or extra doses.

There are multiple forms of folic acid available. If folic acid was prescribed to you by a health care provider, take it as prescribed. If you are taking folic acid as an over-the-counter supplement, follow the instructions that come with the product or take it as your health care provider recommends. If you have any questions about how to take folic acid, talk to your health care provider. Do not share folic acid that was prescribed for you by a health care provider with other people, even if they have the same condition as you. It may harm them. Keep folic acid out of the reach of children. Folic acid is measured in a unit known as dietary folate equivalents (or DFE). This is because your body absorbs folic acid from supplements better than the folate found in foods. The recommended daily intake of folate for most adults is 400 mcg DFE. This is the same as 240 mcg of folic acid from supplements. If you are using a liquid form of folic acid, use an accurate measuring device to measure your dose. A household spoon is not an accurate measuring device and may cause you to take the wrong dose. Ask your pharmacist what measuring device to use.

Folic acid supplements are standard for women who are or may become pregnant. Folic acid may lower the risk for birth defects of a baby’s brain and spine (spina bifida and anencephaly) by 70% or more. Folic acid may also lower the risk of preeclampsia and early labor.

Both folate and vitamin B12 play an essential role in changing homocysteine, an amino acid in your blood, into methionine, which is one of the essential building blocks of new proteins. Without enough folate, the process doesn’t work, which leads to higher levels of homocysteine in the blood and a higher risk of heart disease.

If you are a woman of childbearing age, many doctors will suggest you take either a multivitamin or a folic acid supplement. Folic acid can protect against birth defects that may form before you know you are pregnant. Folic acid is used to treat deficiencies, which can cause certain types of anemia and other problems. Certain conditions, such as alcoholism, kidney or liver disease, and digestive problems, can put you at a greater risk of not getting enough folate. Folic acid is also used to lessen the toxicity of the drug methotrexate in people with psoriasis and rheumatoid arthritis. Folic acid supplements have been studied as treatments for many other conditions, including autism spectrum disorder in children, as well as age-related hearing loss and macular degeneration. We need more research to confirm how effective folic acid is for these conditions.

The recommended dietary allowance (RDA) includes the folate you get from both the food you eat and any supplements you take.

Too little folate could increase the risk of depression. People with depression and low folate levels may also not respond as well to antidepressants as people with adequate levels of the vitamin in their blood. Some studies show that increasing folate (or taking a folic acid supplement) in addition to an antidepressant may help increase the effectiveness of the medication.

You don’t need to avoid any specific food groups while you take folic acid. Aim for a balanced diet that includes fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats. The one thing to stay away from is alcohol, as it can interfere with how your body absorbs folic acid and may lower your levels over time.

Many foods make it easy to get all of the vitamin B9 you need from your diet. Some of the foods richest in folate include: Beef liver. Most meats are low in folate. Beef liver, however, is one of the most concentrated sources available. In addition to providing 215 mcg of folate per 3-ounce serving, beef liver also provides a decent amount of protein and more than 100% of your recommended daily intake of vitamin A, vitamin B12, and copper. Dark, leafy greens. Many types of dark, leafy greens have high concentrations of folate. Spinach, a powerhouse of nutrients, provides 58 mcg of folate in a 1-cup serving of raw leaves and 131 mcg in a half-cup serving of boiled spinach. A half-cup of boiled mustard greens has 52 mcg, and a cup of cooked collards has about 136 mcg. Legumes. Legumes, which include beans, peas, and lentils, are an excellent source of plant protein, as well as fiber, iron, magnesium, and antioxidants. They’re also high in folate. A half-cup of kidney beans has 46 mcg of folate, and the same serving of black-eyed peas has 105 mcg. A half-cup of peas has 47 mcg. Asparagus. Asparagus is high in many important nutrients, including folate. Four spears have 89 mcg. The vegetable also has anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. Broccoli. Like many other vegetables, broccoli is high in many essential vitamins and minerals, such as vitamin C, vitamin K, and vitamin A. A half-cup serving of cooked broccoli provides 52 mcg. Oranges. Oranges and other citrus fruits, such as lemons, are most well-known for their vitamin C content. They also contain a good amount of folate, with one small fresh orange providing 29 mcg. Bananas. Bananas are known best for their potassium content. They’re high in carbohydrates and are easy to digest and take with you on the go. They’re also a perfect pre-workout snack. One medium banana contains 24 mcg of folate. Eggs. Eggs are high in many essential vitamins and minerals. Along with protein, selenium, riboflavin, and vitamin B12, one hard-boiled egg contains 22 mcg of folate. While eggs are generally considered healthy, the yolks are high in cholesterol. If you have high cholesterol or heart disease, or you’re trying to watch your cholesterol intake, you may want to limit the number of eggs you eat per week. Fortified and enriched products. Folate (in the form of folic acid) is added to many foods, including breads, juices, and cereals. One slice of white bread has 50 mcg of folate. Cereals that are fortified with 25% of the daily value of folate provide 100 mcg. A serving of three-fourths of a cup of tomato or orange juice contains about 36 mcg of folate.

Low folate levels can cause symptoms such as weakness, fatigue, mouth sores, and neurological problems such as trouble concentrating or irritability. Some people also notice pale skin or shortness of breath because low folate affects the formation of red blood cells. Folate plays an important role during pregnancy, so low levels can lead to complications if they are not addressed.