Folic acid (Vitamin B9) plays an important role in the functioning of the body. It is very vital for the growth and development of the fetus in the early stages of pregnancy. Women of childbearing age or pregnant women should take folic acid supplements to avoid any birth defects. The RDA of folate during pregnancy is 600mcg DFE. In the recommended range, folic acid is safe; however, the overdose can cause some side effects.
Vitamin B9 is also known as folic acid or folate. It is one of 8 B vitamins. All B vitamins aid in converting carbohydrates of food into glucose (fuel). This glucose is then used for energy production in the body.
Folate is a natural form of B vitamin and Folic acid is the synthetic form. Folic acid is found in fortified foods and supplements. It is mainly needed for healthy cell production (red blood cells).
Low folate levels in the body can cause anemia and other related health issues. Folic acid supplements are used to prevent low folate levels in the body.
Folic acid is very crucial for pregnant women. Women of childbearing age should intake folic acid in sufficient amounts either through the diet or via supplements to prevent any birth defects.
In this blog, we will closely look into the folic acid benefits in Urdu and also learn about folic acid tablet uses in depth. Moreover, we will also delve into how you can avoid Pregnancy Complications with Folic Acid.
Difference Between Folate and Folic Acid
The terms folic acid and folate are usually used interchangeably. But these both are different forms of the same Vitamin B9.
Folate is a natural form of B vitamin and Folic acid is the synthetic form. Folic acid is found in fortified foods and supplements and has a different structure than folate.
Read More: 6 Best Folic Acid Tablets in Pakistan For Pregnancy & More!
You can find folate in natural animal and plant foods which are as follows:
- Kal
- Spinach
- Avocado
- Broccoli
- Beef Liver
- Eggs
- Citrus Fruits
On the other hand, folic acid is found in many fortified foods, ready-to-eat breakfast cereals, flour, breads, and supplements.
Use of Folate in The Body
Our body uses folate mainly to:
- Produce new and healthy cells (Especially RBCs)
- Make and repair DNA
- Produce some proteins
- Help cells grow, divide, and work
- Aids red blood cells to mature
Read More: Fefol Vit Capsule: Uses, Side Effects & Price in Pakistan
Recommended Intake Levels of Folate
The Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) for folate is mentioned in Dietary Folate Equivalents (DFEs).
The body absorbs natural folate about half as well as folic acid from tablets.
Adults need approximately 400 mcg DFE of folate every day. During breastfeeding and pregnancy, folate needs can elevate. Usually, the RDA of folate during pregnancy is 600mcg DFE.
The RDA for folate for infants and children is as follows:
- Birth to 6 months: 65 mcg DFE
- Ages 7–12 months: 80 mcg DFE
- Ages 1–3: 150 mcg DFE
- Ages 4–8: 200 mcg DFE
- Ages 9–13: 300 mcg DFE
- Ages 14–18: 400 mcg DFE
Folic Acid Benefits in Urdu
Some of the major folic acid benefits are as follows:
1. Birth defects and Pregnancy Complications
Pregnant women who don’t have sufficient folic acid levels in the body are more likely to have babies with birth defects.
It is recommended that pregnant women should get 600 mcg of folic acid per day.
If you are at childbearing age or are planning to get pregnant, then you should take 400 mcg per day as many neural tube defects can begin shortly after conception.
Prenatal folic acid supplements have the ideal amount of folic acid for pregnant women.
Studies have shown that Vitamin B9 supplements can prevent many neural tube irregularities such as spina bifida and anencephaly.
Moreover, women who take folic acid supplements before conception and during the first trimester of pregnancy can lessen their risk of having children with neural tube defects by 72-100%.
Many child development studies have shown that taking prenatal folic acid supplements at the time of conception is linked with a lower risk of autism. In addition to this, some research studies depict that low folate levels during pregnancy are linked with a higher risk of emotional problems in the baby.
Vitamin B9 supplements not only prevent fetal developmental issues but also aid in lowering the risk of pregnancy complications, including preeclampsia.
Read More: Why You Need Folic Acid During and After Conceiving?
حاملہ خواتین جن کے جسم میں فولک ایسڈ کی مقدار کافی نہیں ہوتی ان کے بچوں میں پیدائشی نقائص ہونے کا زیادہ امکان ہوتا ہے۔
یہ تجویز کیا جاتا ہے کہ حاملہ خواتین کو روزانہ 600 ایم سی جی فولک ایسڈ ملنا چاہیے۔
اگر آپ بچے پیدا کرنے کی عمر میں ہیں یا آپ حاملہ ہونے کا ارادہ کر رہے ہیں، تو آپ کو روزانہ 400 mcg لینا چاہیے کیونکہ حمل کے فوراً بعد نیورل ٹیوب کے بہت سے نقائص شروع ہو سکتے ہیں۔
قبل از پیدائش فولک ایسڈ سپلیمنٹس میں حاملہ خواتین کے لیے فولک ایسڈ کی مثالی مقدار ہوتی ہے۔
2. Treating Folate Deficiency
Folate deficiency can be due to many reasons. Some probable causes of folate deficiency are as follows:
- Lack of folate in the diet
- Low stomach acid (hypochlorhydria) or no stomach acid (achlorhydria)
- Surgeries or diseases that can affect the absorption of folate in the body (celiac disease, gastric bypass surgery, short bowel syndrome)
- Alcohol use disorder
- Hemolytic anemia
- Pregnancy
- Drugs/ Medicines that can affect folate absorptions (Methotrexate or Sulfasalazine)
- Dialysis
Consuming folate less than the required amount can cause complications, including fetal developmental issues, anemia, impaired immune function, mental impairment, depression, etc.
فولیٹ کی کمی کئی وجوہات کی وجہ سے ہو سکتی ہے۔
مطلوبہ مقدار سے کم فولیٹ کا استعمال پیچیدگیوں کا باعث بن سکتا ہے، جن میں جنین کی نشوونما کے مسائل، خون کی کمی، کمزور مدافعتی فعل، ذہنی خرابی، ڈپریشن وغیرہ شامل ہیں۔
کیا حمل کے دوران ماں بچے کو دودھ پلاسکتی ہے؟
3. Fertility Issues
Folate can improve egg quality and help the eggs to grow and implant in the uterus of the mother.
Consuming folic acid can increase the chances of getting pregnant. People who go for assisted reproductive technology to conceive are likely to have a baby if they have a high consumption of folate in supplemental form.
فولیٹ انڈے کے معیار کو بہتر بنا سکتا ہے اور انڈوں کو بڑھنے اور ماں کے رحم میں لگانے میں مدد کرتا ہے۔
فولک ایسڈ کا استعمال حاملہ ہونے کے امکانات کو بڑھا سکتا ہے۔ وہ لوگ جو حاملہ ہونے کے لیے معاون تولیدی ٹیکنالوجی کا سہارا لیتے ہیں اگر ان کے پاس اضافی شکل میں فولیٹ کا زیادہ استعمال ہوتا ہے تو ان کے ہاں بچہ پیدا ہونے کا امکان ہوتا ہے۔
4. Heart Disease
Folate can protect the heart in several ways.
Firstly, there is some evidence that getting sufficient folic acid through the diet can lessen the risk of heart disease. There is not any evidence till now that taking Vitamin B9 supplements can help reduce the risk of heart conditions.
Moreover, many studies show that people with high amino acid homocysteine levels are roughly 1.7 times more likely to have coronary artery diseases and 2.5 times to have a stroke than people with normal levels.
The reason behind this is that folate helps to break down homocysteine. Low folate levels can cause high homocysteine levels (hyperhomocysteinemia).
B complex vitamins (especially B6, B9, B12) can lower homocysteine levels.
Most people who are concerned about heat conditions should take sufficient B vitamins from healthy foods.
If you are concerned about heart disease, ask the doctor whether taking a B vitamin supplement is ideal for you or not.
Using folic acid supplements can lower homocysteine levels and can also reduce heart disease risk.
فولیٹ کئی طریقوں سے دل کی حفاظت کر سکتا ہے۔
سب سے پہلے، کچھ ثبوت موجود ہیں کہ خوراک کے ذریعے کافی فولک ایسڈ حاصل کرنے سے دل کی بیماری کا خطرہ کم ہوسکتا ہے۔ ابھی تک اس بات کا کوئی ثبوت نہیں ہے کہ فولک ایسڈ سپلیمنٹس لینے سے دل کی بیماریوں کے خطرے کو کم کرنے میں مدد مل سکتی ہے۔
جن لوگوں میں امینو ایسڈ ہومو سسٹین کی سطح زیادہ ہوتی ہے ان میں دل کی شریانوں کے امراض اور فالج کا امکان نارمل سطح والے لوگوں کی نسبت زیادہ ہوتا ہے۔
اس کے پیچھے وجہ یہ ہے کہ فولیٹ ہومو سسٹین کو توڑنے میں مدد کرتا ہے۔ کم فولیٹ کی سطح اعلی ہومو سسٹین کی سطح (ہائپر ہومو سسٹینیمیا) کا سبب بن سکتی ہے۔
بی کمپلیکس وٹامنز (خاص طور پر B6، B9، B12) ہومو سسٹین کی سطح کو کم کر سکتے ہیں۔
زیادہ تر لوگ جو گرمی کے حالات کے بارے میں فکر مند ہیں انہیں صحت مند کھانے سے کافی وٹامن بی لینا چاہئے۔
5. Prevents Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD)
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is an eye disease that can cause vision loss.
A large study uncovered that women who took 2500 mcg of folic acid with 500 mg of Vitamin B6 and 1000 mcg of Vitamin B12 (cyanocobalamin) daily lessened their risk of having age-related macular degeneration (AMD).
This, Folic acid along with other minerals and vitamins can slow the progression of AMD.
عمر سے متعلق میکولر انحطاط ایک آنکھ کی بیماری ہے جو بینائی کی کمی کا سبب بن سکتی ہے۔
یہ، دیگر معدنیات اور وٹامنز کے ساتھ فولک ایسڈ عمر سے متعلق میکولر انحطاط کی ترقی کو سست کر سکتا ہے۔
6. Age-Related Hearing Loss
A study reports that folic acid supplements can slow the progression of age-related hearing loss in elderly people with high homocysteine levels and low folate.
However, more study is needed to study the effect of folate on age-related hearing loss.
ایک تحقیق میں بتایا گیا ہے کہ فولک ایسڈ کے سپلیمنٹس زیادہ ہومو سسٹین کی سطح اور کم فولیٹ والے بزرگ افراد میں عمر سے متعلق سماعت کے نقصان کو سست کر سکتے ہیں۔
تاہم، عمر سے متعلق سماعت کے نقصان پر فولیٹ کے اثر کا مطالعہ کرنے کے لیے مزید مطالعہ کی ضرورت ہے۔
7. Depression
The evidence about whether folic acid can relieve depression or not is mixed.
Some studies depict that 15-38% of people with depression have low folate levels. People with very low levels of folate were the most depressed.
Folate is involved in the production of neurotransmitters (brain chemicals). Taking too little folate has been associated with schizophrenia, depression, and other mental health conditions.
For instance, people with depression can have reduced levels of folate than people without depression.
A review in 2022 suggests that folic acid and folate supplements can lessen symptoms of mental health conditions, including schizophrenia, postpartum depression, and bipolar disorder.
Folate supplements along with antidepressant medication can decrease symptoms of depression more than taking antidepressant medicines alone.
اس بات کے شواہد ملے ہیں کہ آیا فولک ایسڈ ڈپریشن کو دور کر سکتا ہے یا نہیں۔
فولیٹ نیورو ٹرانسمیٹر (دماغی کیمیکلز) کی تیاری میں شامل ہے۔ بہت کم فولیٹ لینے کا تعلق شیزوفرینیا، ڈپریشن اور دیگر دماغی صحت کے حالات سے ہے۔
مثال کے طور پر، ڈپریشن کے شکار افراد میں ڈپریشن کے بغیر لوگوں کے مقابلے میں فولیٹ کی سطح کم ہو سکتی ہے۔
اینٹی ڈپریسنٹ ادویات کے ساتھ فولیٹ سپلیمنٹس ڈپریشن کی علامات کو اکیلے اینٹی ڈپریسنٹ ادویات لینے سے زیادہ کم کر سکتے ہیں۔
8. Cancer
Folic acid in the diet provides protection against the development of some cancer forms, including:
- Breast cancer
- Colon cancer
- Stomach cancer
- Cervical cancer
- Pancreatic cancer
However, this evidence is based on population studies that report people who get sufficient folate in their diet have low rates of these cancers.
In addition to this, researchers don’t know exactly how folate can help to prevent cancer. Some researchers think that folic acid keeps DNA healthy and prevents mutations that cause cancer.
More research is needed to learn about how folate prevents cancer and to what extent it can prevent cancer.
تاہم، یہ ثبوت آبادی کے مطالعے پر مبنی ہے جو بتاتے ہیں کہ جن لوگوں کو اپنی خوراک میں کافی فولیٹ ملتا ہے ان میں کینسر کی شرح کم ہوتی ہے۔
اس کے علاوہ، محققین بالکل نہیں جانتے کہ فولیٹ کینسر کو روکنے میں کس طرح مدد کر سکتا ہے۔ کچھ محققین کا خیال ہے کہ فولک ایسڈ ڈی این اے کو صحت مند رکھتا ہے اور کینسر کا سبب بننے والے تغیرات کو روکتا ہے۔
یہ جاننے کے لیے مزید تحقیق کی ضرورت ہے کہ فولیٹ کینسر کو کیسے روکتا ہے اور کس حد تک یہ کینسر کو روک سکتا ہے۔
Folic Acid Side Effects
As dietary supplements can interact with other medications and can pose certain side effects, you should take dietary supplements on the advice of the best general physician in Pakistan.
The recommended daily allowance of folic acid does not have any side effects. However, an overdose of folic acid can cause potential side effects, including:
- Sleep problems
- Stomach problems
- Confusion
- Skin reactions
- Nausea
- Loss of appetite
- Seizures
Hence, you should talk to the doctor before taking more than 800 mcg of folic acid.
Moreover, taking folic acid can hide the underlying symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency which can cause permanent damage to the nervous system.
Read More: Foods High in Folate – How to Add Them to Your Diet?
Folic Acid Tablets in Pakistan
You can fulfill the needed daily intake of Vitamin B9 by taking folic acid tablets in Pakistan. Some of the common folic acid tablets in Pakistan that you can use are as follows:
- Folic Acid Tablet 5mg
- Sois Folic Acid Tablets 100s
- Nutrifactor Folic Acid 400mcg
- Folicity Tablets 30s
- Mom Folic Tablets 400mcg
- Folineo Tablets 30s 600mcg
- Nutra Folate Tablets 30s 1000mcg
Folic Acid Tablet Uses in Urdu
Folic acid tablets are mainly used to prevent folic acid deficiency in women. Moreover, pregnant women should use folic acid tablets to avoid any complications and birth defects, specifically neural issues.
فولک ایسڈ کی گولیاں بنیادی طور پر خواتین میں فولک ایسڈ کی کمی کو روکنے کے لیے استعمال ہوتی ہیں۔ مزید برآں، حاملہ خواتین کو کسی بھی پیچیدگی اور پیدائشی نقائص، خاص طور پر اعصابی مسائل سے بچنے کے لیے فولک ایسڈ کی گولیاں استعمال کرنی چاہئیں۔
Final Words
Folic acid is the synthetic form of Vitamin B that is important for the growth and development of the fetus. Adults need approx. 400 mcg DEF of folate, while pregnant and breastfeeding women, need 600 mcg DFE.
It aids in avoiding pregnancy complications and also birth defects. Therefore, pregnant women should take prenatal Vitamin B9 supplements to avoid any complications.
From preventing neural birth defects to overcoming fertility issues and preventing heart diseases and depression, folic acid benefits in Urdu are numerous.
If you are planning for a baby or are pregnant, then you should talk to the best gynecologist in Pakistan via Marham to take folic acid supplements under the supervision of the doctor.