Wednesday, May 30, 2012

Toxicity and Symptoms of High Intake of Folic acid

Folic acid, also called folate or vitamin B9 is a water-soluble vitamin, is critical to many body processes, including the health of your nervous system, blood, and production of cells. It protects against heart disease, birth defects, osteoporosis, and certain cancers.

Toxicity arises from folic acid is very low because it is a water-soluble vitamin and is not stored for long and is secreted through urine. According to the Institute of Medicine, the Tolerable Upper Intake Level (UL) for folate is set for adults is 1mg and an Upper Limit of 800 micrograms for pregnant and breast-feeding women less than 18 years of age. The people who take higher than these doses can have toxicity of folic acid.

The people who take higher doses of folic acid may cause problems such as digestive upset, energy loss, insomnia, stomach problems, sleep problems, skin reactions, seizures and many more.

Even if you take too much vitamin B9, there will be a deficiency of vitamin B12 which can damage the nervous system.

However, it should be taken under the supervision of healthcare provider otherwise it will give side effects to your body by mixing up with other medication drugs you are taking.

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