REVIEW PAPER
Folic acid – effects of deficiency and justification for supplementation
1
Samodzielna Pracownia Biologii Molekularnej Instytutu Medycyny Wsi im. W. Chodźki w Lublinie;
2
Katedra Zdrowia Publicznego Wyższej Szkoły Informatyki i Zarządzania w Rzeszowie
3
Katedra i Klinika Ginekologii II Wydziału Lekarskiego z Oddziałem Anglojęzycznym Uniwersytetu Medycznego w Lublinie
4
Zakład Promocji Zdrowia, Żywności i Żywienia Instytutu Medycyny Wsi im. W. Chodźki w Lublinie
Med Og Nauk Zdr. 2012;18(1):65-69
KEYWORDS
ABSTRACT
Introduction:
Folic acid belongs to the group of vitamins B soluble in water. It plays an important role in many metabolic processes, and the effects of its deficiency are health and life threatening. The supply of the amount of folates in diet in accordance with the body demand is problematic, due to the poor bioavailability of folic acid from food products which are its natural source, and loses during the technological processes. Therefore, it becomes necessary to apply supplementation to specified population groups especially exposed to deficiency of this vitamin. This allows the avoidance of health complications, such as hyperhomocysteinemia, neural tube defects, anaemia and reduces the risk of occurrence of cancerous changes. The objective of the study was analysis of the available literature from the aspect of importance of folic acid for human health, the characteristics of the most frequent health consequences of folates deficiency, and also the indication of benefits resulting from the supplementation of this deficit. The presented state of affairs should initiate actions in the area of public health, which would be of a promotion-educational character. Key words folic acid, supplementation, deficiency, bioavailability
Folic acid belongs to the group of vitamins B soluble in water. It plays an important role in many metabolic processes, and the effects of its deficiency are health and life threatening. The supply of the amount of folates in diet in accordance with the body demand is problematic, due to the poor bioavailability of folic acid from food products which are its natural source, and loses during the technological processes. Therefore, it becomes necessary to apply supplementation to specified population groups especially exposed to deficiency of this vitamin. This allows the avoidance of health complications, such as hyperhomocysteinemia, neural tube defects, anaemia and reduces the risk of occurrence of cancerous changes. The objective of the study was analysis of the available literature from the aspect of importance of folic acid for human health, the characteristics of the most frequent health consequences of folates deficiency, and also the indication of benefits resulting from the supplementation of this deficit. The presented state of affairs should initiate actions in the area of public health, which would be of a promotion-educational character. Key words folic acid, supplementation, deficiency, bioavailability
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