Folic acid is one of the B vitamins called vitamin B9, which helps to make red blood cells... If the level of this vitamin in the body is low, like iron, we will suffer from anemia... So it can be said that folic acid is useful for anemia... But the anemia caused by folic acid is different from the type of anemia related to iron deficiency.... In this article from the magazine GCORP LLC Join us as we explore the effects of folic acid for anemia.

Folic acid for anemia

Before we fully investigate whether folic acid is useful for anemia or not, we need to know this vitamin better.... Folic acid or folate is a type of vitamin B that has various functions, including the production of red blood cells in the body..

The existence of this vitamin is very necessary during the development of fetuses and children.. The body cannot produce folic acid naturally.. Therefore, we must help supply this essential substance to the body with rich natural sources such as citrus fruits, green leafy vegetables, legumes, meat and liver..

The purpose of our brief explanation about folic acid was to say that folic acid deficiency can cause anemia like iron deficiency, but the type of anemia is different. In fact, folic acid deficiency has a negative effect on the appearance and number of red blood cells. General doctors call folic acid deficiency anemia megaloblastic anemia.. This means that the red blood cells are larger than their normal size, but their number is less than standard, and they are oval instead of round.

Symptoms of anemia caused by folic acid deficiency

In examining the effects of folic acid on anemia, the symptoms caused by the lack of this vitamin should be mentioned. Anemia caused by a lack of folic acid is associated with excessive enlargement of red blood cells, which is called megaloblastic. So if you hear somewhere that anemia caused by folic acid is called megaloblastic anemia.. don't be surprised.. >

Usually, this type of anemia is associated with vitamin B12 deficiency.. Therefore, when examining the effects of folic acid for anemia and its symptoms, they also test vitamin B12 status.. Experts believe that the symptoms of this disease are almost the same as other types of anemia.. However, if the severity of megaloblastic anemia increases, you will experience the following symptoms:

Learn more:Folic Acid: Benefits, Side Effects and Recommended Dosage

• Pale color
• Decreasing appetite and weight loss
• Excitability
• Jaundice of the skin
• Lack of energy (lethargy) and fatigue
• diarrhea
• Muscle weakness
• Redness and softening of the tongue
• dizziness
• Heartbeat
• Tinnitus
• Stumbling when moving
• Mood changes

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Why do we get anemia caused by folic acid?

Another topic that is taken into consideration when examining the effects of folic acid for anemia is the causes of this condition... Usually, anemia caused by folic acid is caused by insufficient consumption of natural sources rich in folic acid... Also, if the body does not absorb or use the required folic acid for various reasons, the possibility of anemia due to the lack of this vitamin increases.

The factors that can disrupt the absorption of folic acid in the body and cause anemia due to its deficiency are:

• Excessive consumption of alcohol
• Dialysis
• malabsorption diseases such as Crohn's disease and celiac disease
• Some drugs such as anticonvulsants, anti-rheumatoid drugs, some antibiotics and immunosuppressive drugs
Hereditary folate malabsorption
• Pregnancy (during this period, the need for folic acid increases and if the body is faced with its deficiency, there is a possibility of getting anemia due to folic acid deficiency.)

Learn more:What foods contain folic acid?

Folic acid to treat anemia

The first step to treat anemia caused by folic acid deficiency is to change your diet and use natural sources containing this vitamin. You can include rich sources of folic acid in your diet with the help of a nutritionist.

But if the severity of anemia is high, the doctor uses folic acid supplements for anemia.... In the next step, it is important to diagnose the main cause of folic acid deficiency and the occurrence of anemia caused by it.... For this purpose, the doctor prescribes several tests to prevent the recurrence of this complication.

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Is folic acid useful for anemia?

Probably up to this point in the article, you have realized the effect and importance of folic acid in preventing anemia.. Therefore, it can be said that folic acid is useful for anemia and providing a sufficient amount of it in the body prevents anemia caused by folic acid... In fact, folic acid plays an important role in the production of red blood cells, and if we suffer from anemia due to the lack of this nutrient, the body will face many problems.

Complications of anemia caused by folic acid

When we suffer from anemia due to lack of folic acid, the risk of some problems and diseases increases.. Including:

• Pregnancy complications such as congenital defects of the brain and spinal cord for the fetus
• Disturbances in the nervous system such as constant tingling of the hands, feet or imbalance
• You suffer from stomach or intestinal cancer

Learn more:Why is folic acid recommended during menstruation?

What are the best natural sources of folic acid for anemia?

The best way to compensate for folic acid deficiency and prevent anemia is to consume natural foods containing this vitamin.. The following foods are a type of folic acid called folate:

• Liver
• Lens
• Rice bran
• Soybean flour
• Black-eyed beans
• red beans
• Peanuts
• Spinach
• Turnip leaf
• Wheat
• Pumpkin
• Carrot
• Fruits such as oranges, lemons, bananas, strawberries and melons

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Is folic acid good for partial anemia?

People who suffer from thalassemia minor usually have mild anemia... Although mild anemia is not caused by folic acid deficiency, using this vitamin supplement can help improve the complications of thalassemia... In most cases, doctors prescribe folic acid supplements at a dose of one milligram per day for people with mild anemia.

What is the difference between iron deficiency anemia and folic acid deficiency?

When it comes to taking folic acid for anemia, some people ask if iron deficiency anemia is the same as folic acid deficiency anemia. In response, we have to say no... Iron deficiency anemia occurs when the body cannot produce a substance in red blood cells that is responsible for carrying oxygen to the body... But anemia caused by folic acid deficiency occurs when the shape and size of red blood cells change.

Folic acid plays an important role in the production of red blood cells and its deficiency can cause a type of anemia.. Folic acid deficiency anemia is different from iron deficiency anemia, but if it is not taken seriously, it may be accompanied by symptoms such as fatigue, muscle weakness, loss of appetite, and severe weight loss. So if you visit your doctor in the long term, they will recommend blood signs.

In such a situation, you should take a blood test and if the test result indicates a deficiency of this vitamin, the doctor will prescribe folic acid supplements.... In this article from GCORP LLC magazine, we answered the question of many people who asked if folic acid is useful for anemia and we examined the importance of this vitamin in the treatment of anemia..

If you have any questions about how to take folic acid supplements or natural sources containing this vitamin, you can visit the GCORP LLC website and consult with the best general practitioners and specialists such as nutritionists.... GCORP LLC also allows you to see a doctor through an online consultation or online appointment system.. Doctor.. take your desired turn.

Frequently Asked Questions

Sources: webmd | ncbi