How important is folic acid for the immune system?

Table of contents:

1. how important is folic acid for the immune system?

2. what is the daily requirement of folic acid?

3. which foods contain large amounts of folic acid?

4. what are the possible causes of a folic acid deficiency?

5. conclusion

1. how important is folic acid for the immune system?

Folic acid is essential for metabolic processes in the human organism. The body needs folic acid for the cells. Cell division takes place in the bone marrow, and blood cells are formed there. However, these must be constantly renewed. In addition, folic acid is essential for DNA. In order for the embryo to develop properly, folic acid helps in the maturation of a healthy nervous system. A folic acid deficiency therefore primarily affects the blood count. If the body, which can only store very small amounts of the vitamin, has used up its supply, anaemia develops. Pregnant women are recommended to take folic acid before pregnancy, to ensure adequate levels of the vitamin in the body. Folic acid deficiency is suspected to promote premature births and to be involved in the development of heart defects. Therefore, women are strongly recommended to take folic acid if they wish to have children.

What is the daily requirement of folic acid?

The German Nutrition Society (DGE) recommends a daily intake of 400 micrograms of folic acid for an adult. People who consume large amounts of alcohol have a higher requirement for folic acid. For women who wish to have children, nursing mothers or pregnant women, the recommended intake of folic acid is 800 micrograms per day. Dosage and daily requirement may vary in certain life situations, such as pregnancy and breastfeeding or during heavy physical exertion. Height, weight and gender play an important role in calculating the requirement. The human organism can store a maximum of 10-15 mg of folic acid, which lasts for about three months. However, this stock is only for exceptional cases when the human organism is no longer supplied with folic acid. In general, folic acid should be consumed daily through a varied and balanced diet.

Which foods contain large amounts of folic acid?

Folic acid is a water-soluble B vitamin. In medicine it is also known as vitamin B9. Since the human organism cannot produce the vitamin itself, it should be consumed daily through a healthy and balanced diet. A natural source of folic acid is green leafy vegetables. Spinach, lettuce and cabbage, for example, are particularly good options. Legumes such as peas and soybeans also contain large amounts of folic acid. The vitamin is very susceptible to heat and air. Foods containing folic acid should be prepared gently, which means with little heat and less water. If the vegetables are cooked briefly, important vitamins are also retained.

4) What can be the cause of a folic acid deficiency?

Too low a concentration of folic acid can have various causes:

• due to a wrong or inadequate diet
• alcoholism a disturbed absorption in the gastrointestinal tract
• chronic intestinal diseases
• taking certain medicines
• increased need during pregnancy or breastfeeding

5. How important is folic acid for the immune system?

Folic acid performs many tasks in the human body. The vitamin is essential for the immune system, cell division, DNA and the development of the nervous system. For this reason, the vitamin should be consumed daily through a healthy and balanced diet. In the event of a deficiency, folic acid can be supplemented in the form of food supplements. You can choose between capsules and tablets. Both forms are easy to use and enter the circulation quickly.

Further sources:

• [Folic acid and vitamin B12 determination in the assessment of cognitive disorders : overview and data analysis from a university outpatient memory clinic]
  
• Is periconceptional use of folic acid associated with a reduced risk of cleft lip with or without cleft palate?
  
• [Folate against hyperhomocysteinemia. A new approach for the prevention and therapy of alcoholism-associated disorders].