Description:
Folic acid, also referred to as folate, is the chemical designation for vitamin B9, sometimes called vitamin M, which is commonly prescribed by healthcare professionals for the treatment of anemia. Folic acid is one of the eight vitamins within the B complex group.
Like all B vitamins, folic acid plays a vital role in maintaining the health of the nervous system and aids in the metabolism of fats and carbohydrates. It is essential for the production and maintenance of new cells and helps to prevent alterations in DNA that could potentially lead to cancer.
As a pharmaceutical agent, folic acid is utilized to treat folate deficiency and certain types of anemia (specifically those arising from folic acid deficiency). It is occasionally used in conjunction with other medications for the management of pernicious anemia.
Indications and Usage:
Folic acid is indicated for the prevention and treatment of low blood levels of folate (folate deficiency) and its associated complications, including anemia characterized by a lack of red blood cells and malabsorption of nutrients in the gastrointestinal tract. It is also employed in the management of conditions often linked to folate deficiency, such as ulcerative colitis, liver disease, alcoholism, and patients undergoing kidney dialysis.
Pregnant women or those who may become pregnant are advised to take folic acid to reduce the risk of miscarriage and prevent neural tube defects, such as spina bifida, which occur when the fetus’s spine and back fail to close properly during development.
Additionally, folic acid is utilized in attempts to prevent colon cancer and cervical cancer, as well as to lower the risk of heart disease and stroke by reducing blood levels of homocysteine, a substance associated with increased cardiovascular risk.
Folic acid may also be used for various other conditions, including memory loss, Alzheimer’s disease, age-related hearing loss, the prevention of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), signs of aging, osteoporosis, restless leg syndrome, sleep disturbances, depression, neuropathic pain, myalgia, AIDS, vitiligo, and Fragile X syndrome. Furthermore, it can mitigate adverse effects associated with treatments involving lometrexol and methotrexate.
