Folic acid, also known as Vitamin B 9 is a man made version of natural folate. Folate, helps the body to make red blood cells. Folic acid is used to treat the folate deficiency in anemia. It also helps the unborn baby’s skull and spinal cord development, to avoid neural tube defects such as spina bifida. Therefore, the nutrient is crucial during the pregnancy. It is found in green leaf vegetables, nuts and peas. Fruits rich in folate are orange, lemons, bananas, melons and strawberries. The synthetic form of folate is folic acid.
Interpretation: A diet lacking foods rich in folate can lead to folate deficiency. Celiac disease is also a reason for folate deprivation because of malabsorbtion syndromes. Folate cannot be synthesized, but taken in supplements as folic acid. One of its effects is to control the levels of homocystein in the body working together with Vit B6 and B12. Homocystein elevation might cause heart and blood disease problems. Folate has also a positive effect in cancer reducing process.
Sample: Arm vein blood. CSF, Arm vein plasma (EDTA) for erythrocytes. Nonfasting
Working day: Everyday
Result Time: Same day 6:00 PM
