The norm of folic acid per day for men and women. All about folic acid: what is it for, where is it contained and what is the daily intake of vitamin B9 How much is the daily dose of folic acid

Vitamin B9 (folic acid) is a water-soluble element that is destroyed by exposure to ultraviolet rays and high temperatures.

Folic acid is involved in the oxidation and reduction processes of the body. This vitamin is actively involved in the processes of hematopoiesis, has a positive effect on the functioning of the liver and intestines.

• Supports the body's resistance to viral diseases;
• Promotes the formation and normal functioning of blood cells;
• Promotes the proper development of the nervous system in the fetus during the gestation period;
• Prevents termination of pregnancy in the late and early stages;
• Helps women cope with postpartum depression;
• Prevents the formation of precancerous cells (in the presence of a precancerous condition);
• Slows down the onset of menopause and relieves its symptoms;
• Corrects delayed sexual development.

Folic acid is necessary for the production and maintenance of new cells, so it is very important to include foods rich in this element in the daily diet for young children and pregnant women.

Sources of Vitamin B9

Folic acid is found in foods of plant and animal origin. Mostly green vegetables and meat are rich in this element. About 90% of vitamin B9 is lost due to the heat treatment of food. Vegetables and meat lose 70 to 90% of folic acid when cooked, 95% when frying food, and 50% when boiling vegetables in their skins.

plant sources

• Vegetables - leafy green vegetables, pumpkin, carrots;
• Fruits - bananas, melon, apricots, oranges, dates;
• Legumes - beans, peas;
• Cereals - oatmeal, barley, bran, buckwheat;
• Mushrooms, yeast, root crops.

Animal sources

• Meat - beef, lamb, pork, chicken;
• Offal - beef liver;
• Fish - tuna, salmon;
• Dairy products - milk, cheese;
• Egg (egg yolk).

Daily Value of Vitamin B9

The daily requirement for folic acid varies depending on the age and lifestyle of a person. This element is needed by the body in small quantities - about 200 mcg per day, but regularly. A lack of vitamin B12 interferes with the absorption of folic acid, and an excess of methionine, which is rich in cheese and meat products, contributes to its rapid consumption.

Daily Value for Children

To ensure normal development and growth, the child's body needs a daily intake of folic acid. An additional dosage is necessary for mobile children, as well as those who like to sunbathe in the sun. Vitamin C is essential for better absorption of vitamin B9.

• 0-6 months - 40 mcg;
• 6-12 months - 60 mcg;
• 1-3 years - 100 mcg;
• 4-6 years - 200 mcg;
• 7-10 years - 200 mcg.

Daily Value for Men

Persons who use alcoholic beverages, diuretic herbs and bactericidal drugs need additional vitamin B9 intake. The daily requirement of men for folic acid is satisfied by taking 200 mcg of the vitamin per day.

Daily Value for Women

Women need a daily intake of vitamin B9 in the body, in the amount of 200 to 400 micrograms, depending on lifestyle. Folic acid can be called a "female" vitamin, since its effect on the body of the fair sex allows you to cope with many ailments and diseases (PMS, toxicosis during pregnancy, prevention of problems during pregnancy, menopause, etc.). Pregnant women need vitamin B9 in the amount of 300 micrograms per day, and lactating women need 260 micrograms.

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Signs of vitamin B9 deficiency

The lack of folic acid in the body is expressed by the following symptoms:

1. "Red" language;
2. Anemia;
3. Apathy, insomnia and fatigue;
4. Indigestion;
5. feeling of anxiety;
6. Grey hair;
7. Slow growth and development;
8. Labored breathing;
9. offspring defect;
10. Memory impairment.

Vitamin B9 overdose

Long-term use of large doses of folic acid can lead to vitamin B12 deficiency in the blood. Large doses of this compound can cause dyspepsia in childhood, excitability of the central nervous system, hypertrophy and hyperplasia of epithelial renal tissue.

Folic acid is a particularly oxidatively sensitive B vitamin, also known as folacin and vitamin B9. Its main task is to produce red blood cells, maintain an optimal level of amino acids and prevent changes in DNA.

Vitamin deficiency can lead to elevated homocysteine ​​levels, headaches, and a risk of developing Alzheimer's disease. At the same time, an excessive amount can cause nausea, bloating and sleep disturbance.

Folic acid got its name from the Latin word "folium", which means tree leaf.

Biological role

Folic acid takes an active part in the formation of new cells, so when planning and in the early stages of pregnancy, when the uterus begins to grow and the thickness of the placenta is constantly increasing, it is extremely important to maintain the optimal amount of vitamin in the body.

An increased risk of developing a neural tube defect and brain disorders in the fetus occurs in the first weeks of pregnancy. By this time, there are signs of the formation of all organs of the unborn child, including the respiratory and central nervous systems, in the formation of which folic acid is involved.

Daily intake of 400 micrograms (mcg) of the vitamin should begin 2 to 3 months before conception.

In addition to reducing the risk of developing diseases in the unborn child, folic acid intake helps pregnant women cope with anemia and reduces the risk of developing breast cancer. However, Dr. Ulrika Erickson from the Swedish University of Lund found that a certain proportion of pregnant women are, on the contrary, at risk of developing breast cancer when they consume a synthetic version of the vitamin:

“10% of the women studied inherited a particular enzyme variant that affects the body's use of folic acid. As a result, the use of vitamin pills or dietary supplements led to the development of breast cancer, instead of the opposite effect.

According to the expert, resorting to synthetic versions of folic acid should be done only in special cases: during an attempt to get pregnant or for people suffering from anemia.

In the USA, Canada, South Africa and Australia, according to WHO recommendations, in order to prevent and treat iron deficiency anemia in women of childbearing age, they have recently begun to enrich corn and wheat flour with folic acid. In the United States and Canada, after the introduction of such norms, the birth of children with a neural tube defect has decreased by a third.

The use of folic acid when planning pregnancy is indicated not only for women, but also for men. After taking dietary supplements in various combinations of zinc and folic acid, sperm production increased significantly, according to a published 2002 study from the Medical Center Nijmegen.

The experiment involved 112 patients, most of whom had problems conceiving a child. The first group received daily zinc in the amount of 66 mg, the second placebo group and the third group received a combination of zinc (66 mg) and folic acid (5 mg).

As a result, the participants of the third group managed to increase sperm fertility up to 74% during the 26 weeks of the experiment. The results of the participants in the other two groups remained at the level of the beginning of the experiment.

Daily intake of folic acid

According to the recommendations of the World Health Organization, the daily dose of folic acid for women from the moment of trying to get pregnant and up to twelve weeks of pregnancy should be 400 micrograms or 0.4 mg.

Women with a neural tube defect diagnosed in the fetus, as well as women who have previously given birth to children with this pathological disease, should take 5 mg of folic acid daily during the periconceptional period.

Daily requirement of folic acid for other populations:

• Children 1 to 3 years of age: 150 mcg daily;
• Children 4 to 8 years old: 200 mcg daily;
• Children 9 to 13 years old: 300 mcg daily;
• Adolescents 14 to 18 years of age: 400 mcg per day;
• Adult men and women: 400 micrograms per day.

Insufficient folic acid can be associated with poor diet, smoking, chronic and intestinal diseases, alcohol abuse and indigestion.

Too much folic acid

There is an upper limit for the recommended daily intake of folic acid: 800 micrograms.

Having too much vitamin B9 in the body can lead to unpleasant consequences: digestive problems, loss of appetite, pain in the abdomen and stomach, flatulence, bad breath, sleep disturbances, depression, excessive arousal and irritability. More serious symptoms include: mental disorders, pain in the mouth, weakness, impaired attention, fatigue, and even convulsions. An allergic reaction to folic acid can cause difficulty breathing, swelling of the face and throat, or a skin rash.

Sources of Folic Acid

Large amounts of folic acid are found in beef liver and green leafy vegetables such as asparagus, beets or Brussels sprouts. Pregnant women should consume beef liver in limited quantities. This is due to its vitamin A content, which can cause various birth defects in a child.

Folic acid is also found in egg yolk, beans, lentils, walnuts, codfish, and some fruits. Cooking foods can reduce their vitamin content, so fresh fruit and vegetables are recommended. As part of a healthy eating program, folic acid is found in cereal products and breakfast cereals.

Fruits and vegetables

Most fruits fortified with folic acid are citrus fruits.

According to the US Department of Agriculture, 100 grams of pink grapefruit contains 10 micrograms of folic acid and about 25 micrograms in one glass of freshly squeezed juice. Approximately 8% of the daily value of the vitamin is found in one small orange, while a glass of orange juice contains twice as much folic acid - 75 micrograms.

Lettuce, turnip greens, mustard, broccoli, Chinese and Brussels sprouts are good sources of folic acid. But unlike animal products, the vitamin content of vegetables can be reduced by up to 40% during their preparation. 100 g of fresh Brussels sprouts contains 61 micrograms of folic acid.

Other vegetables and fruits high in folate include asparagus, artichoke, okra, corn, cauliflower, potatoes, and beets. Tomato juice, melon, avocado, and soy milk also contain this important vitamin.

Beans and legumes

All plants of the legume family should be included in the diet of expectant mothers. Beans, chickpeas (chickpeas), sunflower seeds, black beans, and boiled lentils are good sources of folic acid. There are 47 mcg of vitamin B9 in 100 g of cooked beans.

Fortified food

According to World Health Organization research on folic acid and its impact on fetal development, some countries have passed legislation requiring fortification of grains and cereal products. This category includes: pasta, white rice and ready-to-eat breakfast cereals. During the intake of fortified foods, no side effects were recorded.

Table of folic acid content in products

Research

Researchers from Newcastle University examined blood samples from 988 pregnant women for the effect of folic acid on the baby's body weight at birth. Conclusion: Women with low levels of vitamin B9 had low birth weight babies during the first twelve weeks of pregnancy.

In another study, experts at the Teleton Institute of Pediatrics in Western Australia found a link between folic acid and brain cancer in future babies. Between 2005 and 2011, scientists were able to collect information on 327 children diagnosed with a brain tumor. For completeness of information, children without this disease were included in the study.

As a result, experts concluded that taking folic acid during planning and possibly in the first weeks of pregnancy reduces the risk of developing a brain tumor in an unborn child by about 32%. In addition, most mothers took other vitamins along with folic acid, which could support the effect of healthy fetal development.

Study leader Professor Elizabeth Milne noted the link between the presence of folic acid in the body of pregnant women and the formation of a brain tumor in the fetus: "Folic acid supports healthy DNA formation and is involved in the development of fetal brain cells, which is extremely important for the unborn child."

Answers on questions

Question: Why should folic acid be taken when planning a pregnancy?

Answer: Most birth defects in the fetus occur due to a lack of vitamins and minerals in the body of the expectant mother in the first weeks of pregnancy. Therefore, in order to protect the unborn child from a neural tube defect and other diseases, it is important to start taking 400 micrograms of folic acid daily 2-3 months before planning a pregnancy.

Question: My first child was born with a neural tube defect. Should I take specific steps to prepare for my next pregnancy?

Answer: Women whose first pregnancy was abnormal should first contact their doctor. Usually in such cases, a daily intake of folic acid is prescribed a month before pregnancy planning in the amount of 4.0 mg. It is no longer worth taking because of the risk of developing other fetal diseases.

Question A: I can't swallow large pills. How else can I take vitamins with folic acid?

Answer: Today, folic acid multivitamins can be chewy and liquid, round or oval, chocolate or fruit flavored. In addition, folic acid-fortified foods, such as breakfast cereals, can be taken instead of the vitamin.

Question: How to force yourself to take vitamins with folic acid every day?

Answer: Take vitamins daily at the same time. For example, after brushing your teeth or with breakfast. Set an alarm on your phone as a reminder, or if you already have kids, take vitamins with them.

Question: What other health benefits does folic acid have?

Answer: Folic acid helps prevent some other birth defects such as cleft palate and certain types of heart disease. In addition, folic acid fights other diseases, but the effect of the vitamin on them is not fully understood. In any case, adult men and women should take 400 micrograms of folic acid daily.

Question: Can I take more folic acid?

Answer: If your doctor does not prohibit, then you can.

Question: What is "synthetic" folic acid?

Answer: Synthetic folic acid is a man-made form of folic acid found in most multivitamins and food supplements. Typically, such a product is labeled "fortified." The words "folic acid" and "synthetic folic acid" mean the same thing.

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general information

About the benefits folic acid(vitamin B 9) people have known for a long time, but only in the last 10 years, doctors have begun to actively promote preventive courses of folic acid intake for pregnant women and those suffering from iron deficiency anemia.

Folic acid is involved in metabolism, in the production of DNA, plays an important role in the synthesis of immune blood cells, and normalizes the function of the digestive tract. For pregnant women, folic acid is essential because it plays an important role in the development of the neural tube of the fetus. With a normal level of vitamin B 9, the likelihood of malformations in the fetus is significantly reduced. In addition, it is necessary for the normal growth and development of the placenta.

Discovery history

In 1926, microbiologist V. Efremov discovered a specific form of anemia in pregnant women - megaloblastic anemia. Then vitaminology developed rapidly, many scientists conducted research in this area of ​​knowledge. Most attention was paid to the nutritional factor. Efremov accurately determined the presence of a certain anti-anemic factor in the liver tissue - significant improvements were observed in patients who received food from the liver.

In 1932, the British physician Wils, who worked for many years in India, found that some pregnant women suffering from megaloblastic anemia did not improve when using a purified extract of liver cells. However, these women recovered completely after consuming the crude extract. From this, Wills deduced that some important factor causing recovery was destroyed during the cleansing. This substance was soon isolated and named the Wills factor. Later it was called vitamin M. In 1941, it was found that spinach and parsley leaves are rich in this substance - so it was renamed folic acid (translated from Latin folium - leaf).

Mechanism of action

Once in the body, vitamin B 9 is converted into tetrahydrofolate, which serves as a component of many enzymes, and also participates in a number of biochemical reactions, such as protein metabolism. As a result, the body synthesizes amino acids necessary for the formation of proteins, epinephrine and some other factors. Also, vitamin B 9 has an effect similar to estrogens - it determines the correct development of the woman's reproductive system.

It is well known that the first and most important step in the division of any cell is the division of the DNA molecule. It is in the process of DNA replication that vitamin B 9 takes an active part. In addition, it plays an important role in the synthesis of RNA, amino acids, and improves the absorption of iron. Therefore, the lack of folic acid is primarily dangerous for rapidly dividing cells.

Mood also depends on the level of folic acid. It is involved in the metabolism of neurotransmitters such as serotonin and adrenaline, which have a significant impact on the functioning of the nervous system.

Folic acid stimulates appetite and is involved in the release of hydrochloric acid in the stomach.

Need for folic acid

The human liver usually contains some folacin, which can prevent hypovitaminosis for 3-6 months. The body of an adult needs 0.4 mg of folic acid per day, during pregnancy and lactation - 0.4-0.6 mg, a child of the 1st year of life - 0.04-0.06 mg. In the normal state of the intestinal flora, vitamin B 9 can be produced endogenously.

Folic acid and pregnancy

Daily maintenance of normal folic acid levels in the months before pregnancy helps to reduce the risk of congenital malformations of the fetus. Clinical studies have shown that 80% of cases of malformation can be prevented if a woman begins to compensate for the lack of vitamin B 9 before pregnancy.

In the Russian Federation, it is generally accepted that the need for pregnant women without symptoms of deficiency of this micronutrient is 0.4 mg per day. During breastfeeding, the need is 0.6 mg per day.

During pregnancy, a woman's body consumes much more folic acid than before pregnancy. Vitamin B 9 is not stored in reserve, so it is important to get it daily from external sources. It is very important to maintain the required level of folic acid in the first trimester, when the fetal nervous system develops.

The most important role of vitamin B 9 for the fetus is the development of the neural tube. She also takes part in the renewal and mitosis of the cells of the mother's body, in particular the cells of the internal organs, which must be constantly updated.

Already in the second week of pregnancy, the brain begins to actively develop in the embryo. It was at this time that even a short deficiency of vitamin B 9 threatens with serious, often irreparable consequences. Since this micronutrient is necessary in the process of mitosis, which is extremely important for rapidly dividing and developing cells (these primarily include neurons and other cells of the nervous tissue), its deficiency primarily affects the developing nervous system.

Folic acid is involved in the production of the main blood cells (erythrocytes, leukocytes and platelets), which is important for both the mother and the fetus.

For the normal course of pregnancy, maintaining the health of the woman and the fetus, doctors recommend starting taking folic acid in the form of tablets 2-3 months before the planned pregnancy, and continuing until childbirth. When using vitamin B 9, you must adhere to the doses recommended by your doctor, since an excess of this micronutrient is just as dangerous as its deficiency.

Vitamin B 9 is the only micronutrient whose role during pregnancy is not underestimated even by opponents of synthetic vitamin preparations and medicines in general. Therefore, even if you avoid any medications during pregnancy, do not refuse a course of vitamin B 9, at least for prevention purposes - this will save you and your child from a number of unjustified risks. Although sometimes it is necessary to compare the dosage prescribed by the doctor with the body's needs for folic acid.

Folic acid deficiency and its consequences

During heat treatment of food, up to 90% of vitamin B 9, which is part of raw foods, can be lost. For example, when frying meat, up to 95% of vitamin B 9 is destroyed, when cooking meat and vegetable products - from 70 to 90%, when boiling eggs - about half.

Vitamin B 9 deficiency can develop due to its low content in the diet, impaired absorption of micronutrients in the intestine, or with an increase in the need for this substance (pregnancy, lactation).

A common cause of this hypovitaminosis is the regular use of alcoholic beverages.

Folic acid deficiency is the most common symptom in pregnant women and infants. Vitamin B 9 deficiency in the fetus develops as a result of its lack in the mother's body, and in infants - due to its insufficient content in breast milk.

Folic acid deficiency in the body of a pregnant woman can serve as a factor in the whole a number of serious violations:

• miscarriage;
• congenital malformations;
• mental retardation;
• malformation of the neural tube;
• spina bifida (in the fetus);
• malformations of the circulatory system;
• cleft lip or cleft palate;
• anemia.

Symptoms of vitamin B 9 deficiency may take 8-30 days to appear, depending on the diet. The first symptoms of this hypovitaminosis are a breakdown, nervousness and poor appetite. We should not forget about replenishing the deficiency of vitamin B 9 during breastfeeding, since the body maintains the required level of this vitamin in milk, even to the detriment of itself. Therefore, with a lack of folic acid in the diet of a nursing mother, the above symptoms often occur, which increase postpartum depression.

Lack of vitamin B 9 is not always accompanied by obvious symptoms. At the same time, according to research results, a lack of folic acid is present in 20-100% of people, depending on where they live. This is one of the most common hypovitaminosis. However, even in the absence of certain clinical symptoms, the likelihood of heart attack and stroke increases significantly, immunity decreases.

Folic acid deficiency often leads to the development of pernicious anemia in premature babies. An increase in the need for vitamin B 9 occurs in a number of pathologies: leukemia, hemolytic anemia, chronic infectious diseases, carcinomatosis.

First of all, with a lack of vitamin B 9, megaloblastic anemia develops. With this type of anemia, not only does the content of erythrocytes in the blood fall, but their activity is also disrupted, since most of them do not mature in the bone marrow. If at the same time you do not make up for the lack of folic acid, symptoms such as loss of appetite, nervousness, loss of strength develop. Later, vomiting, diarrhea, alopecia join. Possible morphological disorders of the skin, the appearance of ulcers in the oral cavity and pharynx. If not treated promptly, megaloblastic anemia can lead to death.

In recent years, a number of clinical trials have been carried out, as a result of which it was found that vitamin B 9 deficiency, disrupting the metabolism of sulfur amino acids, leads to a delay in the blood of the amino acid homocysteine. Homocysteine ​​has a negative effect on the intima of blood vessels, which leads to the appearance of atherosclerotic plaques and increases the risk of heart attacks and strokes.

Violation of the absorption of vitamin B 9 can occur with diseases of the stomach, gastrectomy, when the body is deficient in anti-anemic factors (Castle factors) synthesized in the stomach. Folic acid can enter the bloodstream only by combining with antianemic factors, respectively, when they are deficient, the level of folic acid in the blood drops.

In addition to folic acid, the Castle factor carries cyanocobalamin into the blood. Therefore, prolonged use of vitamin B 9 preparations in an increased dosage can lead to a lack of cyanocobalamin.

Also, a lack of vitamin B 9 is observed in severe liver pathologies. It is in the liver that the vitamin is transformed into tetrahydrofolate, which takes part in biochemical reactions. Folic acid in its primary form is useless for the body.

If the body is deficient in vitamin B 9, the hematopoiesis system may be disrupted: red blood cells do not mature, and defective cells that are not able to transport oxygen are released into the blood. This is one of the reasons for the malformation of the nervous system in the fetus, since neurons cannot fully grow and develop under conditions of hypoxia.

Together with erythrocytes, the synthesis of leukocytes and platelets is disrupted, which can provoke a decrease in immunity and disrupt blood clotting. In pregnant women, vitamin B 9 deficiency may be accompanied by an iron deficiency. This increases the risk for both mother and baby.

Vitamin B 9 deficiency can develop with a lack of vitamins in the diet, fasting, following unbalanced diets for weight loss. However, the most common vitamin B 9 deficiency factor is dysbacteriosis. Dysbacteriosis develops as a result of prolonged, often uncontrolled intake of antibiotic drugs, incl. without a prescription from a doctor.

In the United States, there is a law requiring manufacturers to add a certain amount of vitamin B 9 to flour in order to prevent consumers from becoming deficient in this substance. In the USA, the prophylactic dose of vitamin B 9 is twice as high as in the Russian Federation.

Foods containing folic acid

Vitamin B 9 is part of all tissues of humans, animals, plants and microorganisms. The human body is unable to produce folic acid. Therefore, it is obtained from food, or is produced by the microflora of the colon. Therefore, in violation of the functions of the intestine or dysbacteriosis, the production of vitamin B 9 may be insufficient. In such situations, an additional source of this micronutrient is needed.

Vitamin B 9 is found in large quantities in plant foods: spinach, onions, dill, parsley, beans, peas, buckwheat, oats, bran, bananas, walnuts, grapefruit, dried apricots, melons, yeast, pumpkin, mushrooms, beets, turnips and others

Also, a source of folic acid is meat and animal products: beef, lamb, pork, liver, kidneys, poultry meat, milk, eggs, trout, perch, cheese, etc.

A plate of cereal porridge with milk and a glass of orange juice fill 50% of the body's daily requirement for vitamin B 9 .

The use of bifidobacteria stimulates the endogenous formation of folic acid in the intestine.

Vitamin B 9 decomposes quite quickly under the influence of sunlight and simply during prolonged storage of food, as well as during thermal processing of products. The most rapidly destroyed folic acid contained in plant foods. Folic acid in meat is more stable.

Therefore, in order to preserve the vitamin in foods, it is recommended to consume raw foods. Vegetables are best consumed in the form of raw salads. In such a salad, it is best to add garden cabbage, parsley, dill, beet, mint or dandelion leaves. It is also useful to add young nettles to the salad. Of the juices, it is better to drink orange and tomato - they contain the most folic acid.

Among meat products, the most folic acid is found in the liver. The liver can be lightly fried and boiled for a short time - while vitamin B 9, which is part of it, is not destroyed.

Medicines containing folic acid

folic acid tablets- the most convenient dosage form for dosing (one tablet contains 1 mg of the substance). In addition, today it is the most economical option. To fully compensate for the deficiency of a pregnant woman in vitamin B 9, it is enough to take 1 tablet per day. However, given the prevalence of folic acid deficiency, which may not manifest itself externally, 2-3 tablets per day can be taken 2-3 months before pregnancy and in the first trimester. This dosage is recommended by doctors, since an overdose from such an amount of the drug is impossible, and the consequences of a lack of folic acid are extremely dangerous. In this situation, doctors resort to justified reinsurance.

Folic acid is available as a drug Folacin. One tablet of the drug contains 5 mg of vitamin B 9. This is much more than the daily allowance, even for a pregnant woman. Excess folic acid has neither positive nor negative effects, but is simply excreted from the body. 1 tablet Apo Folica also contains 5 mg of vitamin B 9 . Given the increased content of the substance in the tablet, Folacin and Apo-Folic are used only for acute and severe vitamin deficiency. In order to prevent these drugs are not recommended.

In one tablet of the drug Folio contains 0.4 mg of vitamin B 9 and 0.2 mg of iodine. The advantage of this dosage form is that it contains two micronutrients, so there is no need for additional use of iodine preparations. The dose of vitamin B 9 in one tablet is low, so it is recommended as a prophylactic drug. Folio is not prescribed for acute deficiency or increased need for folic acid.

Vitamin B 9 is part of multivitamin preparations for pregnant women. The content of folic acid in one tablet each drug is different:

• Materna - 1 mg;
• Elevit - 1 mg;
• Vitrum prenatal - 0.8 mg
• Vitrum prenatal forte - 0.8 mg
• Multi-tabs perinatal - 0.4 mg
• Pregnavit - 0.75 mg.

All complexes contain a prophylactic dose, so the dosage of vitamin B 9 should be calculated taking into account its content in the vitamin complex. With a normal level of folic acid in the body, there is no need for its preparations if a pregnant woman is already taking any multivitamin complexes.

Vitamin B 9 is absorbed much better from drugs than from food.

In addition to pharmaceuticals, folic acid can be obtained from dietary supplements.

Indications

Folic acid is indicated for the following conditions:

• folate deficiency anemia;
• anemia as a complication after gastrectomy;
• sprue (tropical diarrhea);
• chronic inflammation of the intestine;
• intestinal tuberculosis;
• pregnancy;
• lactation period;
• vitamin B deficiency 9.

Taking the drug in therapeutic doses (exceeding the daily requirement) is indicated in two cases:

• if there are pronounced signs of folic acid deficiency (in this case, the dosage is calculated individually by the attending physician);
• if there are factors that increase the need for vitamin B 9, or stimulate its excretion from the body.

Cases in which it is necessary to take therapeutic doses of the drug:

• use of combined oral contraceptives before conception;
• the use of Maalox or Phosphalugel;
• taking anticonvulsants during the planning period and during pregnancy;
• protein diet before conception;
• lack of plant foods in the diet;
• disruption of the digestive tract;
• vomiting during pregnancy.

Folic acid is used in the treatment of tropical diarrhea (spru). Sprue is a progressive inflammation of the small intestine, accompanied by diarrhea, impaired intestinal absorption, dystrophic condition, symptoms of megaloblastic anemia, dysfunction of the endocrine glands, and progressive calcium deficiency. The main factors causing tropical diarrhea: infection, beriberi, protein deficiency in the diet with an excess of saccharides. With this pathology, vitamin B 9 is taken at 5 mg per day in order to normalize the process of erythrocyte synthesis.

Clinical trials have demonstrated that vitamin B 9 may have a positive effect in the prevention of Alzheimer's disease. In persons with this pathology, as a rule, the content of folic acid and cyanocobalamin in the blood is reduced.

Dosage and administration

If a woman has any of the above factors, then during pregnancy planning and in the first trimester, it is necessary to consume 2-3 mg of vitamin B 9 per day. Also, taking the drug in an increased dosage is necessary with a high probability of a violation of the development of the neural tube. Such a risk is present in women with epilepsy, diabetes, as well as in the presence of similar disorders in relatives in a direct line.

The need for folic acid during pregnancy is 0.4 - 0.8 mg per day. However, in a deficient state, the dosage is significantly increased in order to compensate for the lack of a vitamin. The neural tube of the embryo begins to develop at 3-5 weeks of gestation. At this time, a woman may not know about pregnancy, and may not complete a timely course to compensate for folic acid deficiency. Therefore, vitamin B 9 must be taken 1-3 months before the expected pregnancy. It is most important to maintain the required level of folic acid in the first trimester.

Folic acid must be taken during lactation in the amount of 0.3 mg per day (possible in the form of a multivitamin complex). This serves as a preventive course for both mother and child. If you use the drug in high doses (for example, 1 mg), then the excess amount of the vitamin is simply excreted from the woman's body without harming either her or the baby.

It is important to observe the regularity in the use of vitamin B 9. However, given that any drug contains a dose that exceeds the daily requirement for a vitamin, skipping one dose should not cause concern.

• Atherosclerosis. 5 mg of vitamin B 9 per day for two weeks, then - 1 mg. It is recommended to use in the form of a B-group vitamin complex.
• Aphthous stomatitis. As a rule, aphthae (sores on the oral mucosa) appear along with cracks in the lips with a deficiency of vitamins and micronutrients involved in hematopoiesis. Among them: vitamin B 9, iron and cyanocobalamin. The recommended dosage is 5 mg of vitamin B 9 3 times a day and 10 mg of iron glycinate for 120-180 days. Once every 30 days, inject cyanocobalamin - 1 mg. During treatment, it is necessary to regularly check the level of cyanocobalamin.
• Viral hepatitis. Folic acid is used as an aid. It is recommended to take 5 mg 3 times a day for 10 days, then 5 mg once a day.
• Gingivitis and periodontitis. Take orally 1 mg of vitamin B 9 times a day, rinse the mouth 2 times a day for one minute with a 1% solution of the vitamin for 60-70 days.
• Depression. Often seen in individuals with folic acid deficiency. Take 2-5 mg every day in combination with B-group vitamins.
• Osteochondrosis. Vitamin B 9 is involved in the formation of a framework from collagen, on which calcium salts accumulate. Without a collagen framework, the bone does not acquire the necessary strength. The recommended dosage is once a day, 5 mg of vitamin B 9, 50 mg of vitamin B6, 50 mg of B-complex vitamins.
• Tumor of the large intestine. If any of your relatives in a straight line had this oncological disease, it is strongly recommended to take 1-5 mg of vitamin B 9 and 100 mg of B-complex vitamins once a day.
• Spasm of the colon. It manifests itself in the form of alternating constipation and diarrhea, colic and bloating. Lack of vitamin B 9 can lead to chronic constipation, which leads to spasm of the colon. It is necessary to start with 10 mg of the vitamin once a day. If no progress is observed after 15-20 days, the dose should be increased to 20-60 mg per day until a positive effect occurs. Further, the dosage is gradually reduced. At the same time, it is recommended to take 0.1 g of B-complex vitamins once a day. During the course, it is necessary to regularly check the level of cyanocobalamin. It is recommended to include oat bran in the diet, which contains water-soluble fiber. Wheat bran is not suitable in this case, since their fiber is insoluble.
• Epilepsy. After an epileptic attack, the level of vitamin B 9 in the brain decreases. Anticonvulsants also reduce its plasma concentration. As a result, seizures become more frequent. Usually, epilepsy is prescribed 5 mg once a day. However, the drug should be taken only after consulting a doctor.

Overdose

Overdose happens very rarely. To do this, the body must receive hundreds of times more than the required amount of folic acid (20-30 mg). With a slight excess of the required amount of the drug, the excess folic acid is excreted without causing any harm to the body. However, like any medication, vitamin B 9 preparations can cause allergies.

A serious disadvantage of long-term use of vitamin B 9 preparations is that it hides the symptoms of megaloblastic anemia, but does not stop the neurological disorders characteristic of this disease. Therefore, with prolonged use of vitamin B 9 preparations, a latent progression of severe neurological disorders due to a lack of cyanocobalamin is possible. Just 10 years ago, it was generally accepted that there was no overdose of this micronutrient. However, studies are now known that indicate that pregnant women who have been taking high-dose vitamin B 9 preparations for a long time give birth to children with weak immunity, a tendency to bronchial asthma and colds.

Hypervitaminosis

High doses of vitamin B 9 can cause dyspepsia or irritability in a child. Prolonged use of the vitamin at an increased dosage is not recommended, as this can lead to a drop in the blood content of cyanocobalamin.

Side effects

Depending on individual tolerance, folic acid preparations can cause allergic manifestations, bronchospasm, skin redness, hyperthermia, rash.

Vitamin B 9 does not have a toxic effect on the human body. Clinical studies have been conducted on the long-term use of vitamin B 9 at a dosage of 15 mg per day (40 times the daily requirement of the body). According to the results of studies, the drug did not have any toxic effect. However, prolonged intake (more than 90 days) of vitamin B 9 at an increased dosage can lead to a drop in the level of cyanocobalamin in the blood, which can cause anemia. Increased doses of the vitamin can provoke disorders of the digestive tract, increase excitability, and cause an imbalance in the functioning of the kidneys.

Some drugs reduce the content of vitamin B 9 in blood plasma. Among them:

• acetylsalicylic acid (at an increased dosage);
• nitrofurans (taken for urinary tract infections);
• combined oral contraceptives;

Folic acid and men's health

Vitamin B 9 is necessary for both women and men. With chronic vitamin deficiency, men can develop a number of pathologies, including infertility and megaloblastic anemia. Taking folic acid in a therapeutic dosage eliminates such complications.

The main indicator of men's health is considered to be the state of spermatozoa. Spermatozoa are the same cells, their synthesis requires protein and nucleic acids. In the absence of vitamin B 9, sperm synthesis is impaired. With a lack of a vitamin, the concentration of spermatozoa decreases, and their condition worsens: spermatozoa may have an unnatural shape or not have a tail, which reduces their mobility. But the worst thing is that such spermatozoa may have the wrong number of chromosomes, and this is the main factor in hereditary diseases in children (eg Down's syndrome).

Vitamin B 9 and the hormone testosterone determine the normal development of spermatozoa. Folic acid is extremely important for men in puberty, since it is one of the factors in the development of secondary sexual characteristics (coarsening of the voice, facial and body hair, intensive growth).

Folic acid in the treatment and prevention of cancer

Vitamin B 9 prevents cancer. But if the disease has already begun, then the drug should not be used, since folic acid will promote the division of cancer cells. In such situations, drugs are used that inhibit the activity of vitamin B 9, such as methotrexate. This slows down the growth of the tumor. In order to prevent metabolic disorders, a drug is prescribed that replaces vitamin B 9 - folinic acid. Given the higher risk of cancer in older people, they are advised not to take folic acid supplements without a doctor's recommendation.

Leucovorin is a folinic acid-based drug successfully used as part of cancer chemotherapy. It reduces the severity of intoxication after the use of cytotoxic drugs (vomiting, diarrhea, hyperthermia, bone marrow damage).

Recent studies by scientists in the United States have proven the relationship between taking vitamin B 9 preparations and the progression of colon tumors.

Since 1980, Harvard has conducted a survey every 2 years, in which approximately 90,000 women with children participated. The questions concerned nutrition and, separately, the intake of vitamin complexes. In 1994, the collected information was carefully examined for the incidence of colon cancer, the third most common cancer among women in the United States. Survey data showed that women who took sufficient amounts of vitamin B 9 - more than 0.4 g mg per day, were least likely to suffer from this disease.

Scientists concluded: 75% of cases of colon tumors in women can be avoided if prophylactic doses of vitamin B 9 are consumed throughout life.

Research has led to another important conclusion. Least of all, a tumor of the large intestine occurred in women who regularly consumed vitamin complexes over the past 10-15 years.

Folic acid and prevention of atherosclerosis

Recently, doctors are increasingly inclined to believe that folic acid is effective in the prevention of atherosclerosis, the main factor in diseases of the cardiovascular system.

Today, a new theory of the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis is popular in Western countries. According to this theory, the main reason for the progression of atherosclerosis is the high level in the blood of cholesterol, which is not known to everyone, but another bioactive factor - homocysteine.

Homocysteine ​​is an endogenous amino acid. Under the influence of enzymes in the body, it is transformed into the essential fatty amino acid methionine, which is involved in the production of protein. If the body is deficient in the appropriate enzymes, homocysteine ​​accumulates in the blood and destroys the walls of blood vessels, causing inflammation. Cholesterol is involved in this process at later stages. Supporters of the new theory argue that without homocysteine, even with an elevated level of cholesterol in the blood, atherosclerosis does not progress.

What is the role of folic acid in this vein? The fact is that it is it that is necessary for the synthesis in the body of enzymes that transform homocysteine ​​into methionine. Deficiency of vitamin B 9 causes a deficiency of the corresponding enzyme. As a result, excess homocysteine ​​accumulates in the blood, which leads to the progression of atherosclerosis, and then to its complications - ischemia of the heart muscle, heart attack, stroke.

Before use, you should consult with a specialist.

Folic acid is one of the vital vitamins. As a rule, there is not so much of it in the usual diet, so vitamin B9 deficiency is far from uncommon. To replenish the balance, you need to know the correct dosage of folic acid and be able to properly use additional folates.

Vitamin B9 (medical name - folic acid) is one of the most important nutrients for humans, which is needed for many processes in the body. Folic acid helps cells grow, maintain the integrity of DNA, so the vitamin prevents the development of cancer.

In addition, folic acid is involved in hematopoiesis, helps the heart and blood vessels. By improving blood circulation, acid has a beneficial effect on immunity, improves the functioning of the nervous system and the general condition of the body.

BY THE WAY
Our intestines can produce folic acid on its own, but in very small amounts, so the bulk of this vitamin must come from food.

Reception features

Like any other drug, folic acid should be taken regularly. At the same time, consider its interaction with other drugs. For example, acid reduces the effect of phenytoin, therefore, its dose must be increased.

A number of substances reduce the absorption of folic acid by the body:

• Antacids
• cholestyramine,
• some antibiotics (sulfonamides, chloramphenicol, tetracyclines, neomycin, polymyxin)

Reduce the effect of the action can also:

• cytotoxic drugs ( Methotrexate),
• antibacterial agents (pyrimethamine),
• diuretics (Triamterene).

With this option, doctors prescribe calcium folinate instead of folic acid.

How to take for prevention

For prophylaxis, small daily doses of B9 are used: 400 mcg for adult.

Teenagers this dosage may be prescribed for the prevention of anemia, immunodeficiency, and physical retardation.

Women planning a pregnancy, it is recommended to use 1 mg of acid once a day for medicinal purposes for six months in order to reduce all kinds of fetal malformations.

When is the best time to take

"Folk" must be taken orally after meal, as indicated in all instructions for the drug.

The fact is that taking vitamins on an empty stomach can lead to irritation of the gastric mucosa: like other acids, folic acid increases its acidity. This provokes diseases of the stomach - gastritis, ulcers, etc.

If you take a vitamin while eating, food will be more difficult to digest, since the acid forms an insoluble complex with zinc.

Important: if you miss a pill, you do not need to take a double dose

Admission courses

To maintain optimal levels of folic acid in the body, a daily intake is necessary.

ADVICE:
It is better to drink any vitamins in the morning during breakfast, drinking plenty of fluids. So unabsorbed vitamin surpluses can be easily removed by the body

How many folic acid tablets per day should I take

The number of tablets depends on the mass of the active substance in it, since folic acid is now sold in different dosages.

Most often, pharmacies sell folic acid in a dosage of 1 mg. For medicinal purposes, you need to use 1-2 tablets. per day. Pregnant women - 1 tablet per day for prevention.

Folic acid and vitamin E: regimen

Vitamin E and folic acid - a couple of useful elements that complement each other. Most often, gynecologists prescribe this combination of vitamins to girls from the first stages of pregnancy or to those who are just planning it.

Vitamin E and B9 guarantee the full development of the internal organs of the child and the development of the central nervous system. Vitamin E is directly responsible for the reproductive system, increases the fertility of the girl, reduces the threat of miscarriage in the short term, and prevents the placenta from exfoliating.

When used with folic acid, the intestinal wall is strengthened, the mother's condition improves: working capacity increases, immunity increases, the nervous system is restored.

Optimal dosage:

• Vitamin B9 (folic acid) - 0.8 mg per day.;
• Vitamin E (tocopherol) - 0.3 mg per day..

Is it possible to drink folic acid without a prescription

Any pharmacy will tell you that this medicine is available without a doctor's prescription.

If you find yourself deficient in folic acid, then the smallest daily dose will not harm you, since the excess is excreted by the body on its own.

The best option is dietary supplements, where the composition already contains folic acid. Like vitamin complexes, dietary supplements contain many other useful substances.

ADVICE :
The daily volume of folic acid is determined by various factors: gender, age, lifestyle and body condition; Only a doctor can help you choose.

Despite the widespread belief that folate is easily excreted from the body and its overdose is impossible, it should be borne in mind that the vitamin has a number of contraindications:

• hypersensitivity to B9,
• malignant anemia,
• oncology,
• vitamin B12 deficiency.

Release forms

Folic acids in pharmacies can be found in the form of powders or tablets (usually 1 mg, 25 and 50 pieces per pack).

However, there are other forms of release:

100 mcg

• the minimum dosage may be prescribed by a doctor for prevention;
• 100 mcg is how many mg: 0.1 mg

400 mcg

• dosage in tablets 400 mcg:
  1 tab. per day (if there is no deficiency), or half a tablet (1/2 tablet of acid) at a dosage of 1 mg per day - for children over 4 years old and adults as maintenance treatment; pregnant women to prevent fetal defects
• 400 mcg is how many mg: 0.4 mg;
• folic acid 400 mcg how many tablets:
  1 tab. a dosage of 400 mcg or a quarter of a tablet with a dosage of 1 mg is the recommended daily dose for women of childbearing age and during pregnancy.

800 mcg

• dosage in tablets 800 mcg:
  1 tab. or slightly less than 1 tab. a dosage of 1 mg is prescribed during pregnancy and lactation.
• 800 mcg is how many mg: 0.8 mg

1 mg

• dosage in tablets 1 mg:
  1 tab. for the treatment of anemia, pregnant women - from 1.2 to 2.5 tab. per day in the first trimester.
• 1 mg is how many mcg: 1000 mcg

4 mg

• dosage in 4 mg tablets:
  attributed when planning pregnancy. There is no need to be afraid of such doses: if the doctor has prescribed this volume for you, then you or your baby do not have enough B9

5 mg

• dosage in tablets 5 mg:
  adults 1 tab. per day for the treatment of beriberi, children - in smaller doses depending on age
• 5 mg is how many grams: 0.005 g

Dosage of folic acid for children

Folic carbon dioxide is necessary for the growth and proper development of the body, because the body's immunity is developed directly in childhood, the main life-supporting systems are formed, so it is important to give the child all the necessary vitamins for its construction.

baby

Infants are recommended 25 micrograms of folic acid each day. With normal development, the baby receives all the nutrients from mother's milk, but if the doctor has identified a lack of nutrients in the newborn, B9 is prescribed additionally. Often, folic acid is required for premature babies.

Teenager

At a transitional age, B9 is necessary for children for the normal course of sexual development: vitamin B9 helps the young body to establish hormonal balance. In adolescence, many face skin problems of the face and body: acne, pimples, redness. With the help of folic acid, you can fight redness and irritation of the skin.

For the prevention of vitamin deficiency, children at this age are recommended to use 150-200 mcg, this is half a tablet with a dosage of 400 mcg. But we must remember that if the body needs to be restored, then the therapeutic dose of acid is determined by the doctor.

schoolboy

Folic acid for school-age children from 6 to 10 years old is prescribed at a dosage of 100 mcg per day; from 10 to 14 years - 150 mcg.

Schoolchildren need vitamin B9 to regulate brain activity in order to help children cope with the study load and relieve emotional stress.

How much folic acid do children need: summarizing

Daily Value for Women

To maintain the balance of vitamins in the body, an adult woman needs to take at least 400 micrograms of folate per day.

In addition to the fact that vitamin B9 strengthens the body, normalizes internal processes and improves the general condition, folic acid (folka, as mothers like to call it) is of particular importance for women:

• beneficial effect on the reproductive organs,
• stops hair loss, rejuvenates and tones the skin;
• normalizes the hormonal background;
• reduces the symptoms of menopause;

How many times to take per day

Doctors advise taking folic acid (vitamin B9) like all other vitamins according to the scheme: 1 time per day, preferably in the morning, with meals. Drink a small amount of water.

Daily allowance for pregnancy planning

Pregnant doctors necessarily attribute folates. Normally, a woman should receive 400-600 micrograms of acid per day, this is half a 1 mg tablet.

Daily allowance for pregnant women

How many weeks to take folic acid?

Due to the fact that folates do not accumulate in the body, acid is needed already in the first weeks of pregnancy, doctors recommend taking it even at the planning stage of the baby.

IMPORTANT!A woman's body needs vitamin B9 the most in the first 12 weeks of pregnancy.

Daily allowance for breastfeeding mothers

When breastfeeding, a young mother should drink this medicine with a dosage of at least 500-800 micrograms of "folk" per day. It is better to take it as part of dietary supplements or multivitamins, since not only the mother's body, but also the baby needs nutrients at this moment.

Daily Value for Men

If the male body receives at least 700 micrograms of folic acid daily, then the risk of spermatozoa with different types of abnormalities in the chromosomes is reduced by 25-30%.

To avoid infertility in men, B9 is advised to be taken in conjunction with vitamin E.

When a couple is planning a pregnancy, a man needs to drink folic acid 2-3 months in advance.

Conclusion

1. Vitamin B9 ( in other words folic acid) participates in the formation of the circulatory system and immunity.
2. Folic acid is essential women who decided get pregnant, as it participates in the normalization of the process of formation and development of the fetus.
3. folic acid for men necessary for the good functioning of the digestive tract, improving memory, as well as increasing fertility.
4. Folic acid is prescribed children to improve appetite, brain function and boost immunity.

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