Thursday, January 1, 2015

Folic Acid Deficiency May Lead To Hydrocephalus And Other Diseases

Did you know that folic acid deficiency in pregnant women can cause neural tube defects (spina bifida and hydrocephalus) in infants? Folic acid, or often referred to as vitamin B9 is vital for pregnant women, because it serves to help to close the neural tube, in fetuses with normal. Neural tube closure and surrounding bones, that is the spine, this happens very early in the development of an embryo, usually within four weeks after conception. If the neural tube closes late or fails to develop, the fetus is at risk of paralysis, incontinence, or hydrocephalus (swelling of the brain).



Normally, folic acid removed from the blood fast enough, but in pregnant women, the kidneys will filter out of the blood folic acid four times higher than normal speed. So, a pregnant woman should eat foods rich in folic acid or folic acid supplements on a regular basis in order to maintain the levels of folic acid in the blood remains high. In fact, for women who are planning to become pregnant are also advised to start taking 400 mcg of folic acid supplements every day for three months before attempting to conceive. So, to prevent risk to the fetus, it is advisable to consume a lot of green leafy vegetables, mushrooms, nuts, and whole grain breads. Because these foods contain lots of folic acid.

In addition to important to pregnant women, folic acid also very important to human health. Folic acid (also called folate, folacin, vitamin BC, pteroyl-L-glutamic acid, L-glutamate-pteroyl, pteroylmonoglutamic acid) is essential for many body functions ranging from synthesis nukleotid to remetilasi homocysteine. This vitamin is particularly important in cell division and growth period. Children and adults require folic acid to produce red blood cells and prevent anemia. Folate and folic acid gets its name from the Latin word folium (leaf). Below are some diseases caused by folic acid deficiency.
 

Anemia: Lack of vitamin B9 or folic acid can create a lack of red blood cell production. When red blood cells decreases in blood flow, the supply of oxygen can be reduced. So quickly the effect will be felt in the body. Such as headache, fatigue, pale skin, decreased concentration, daily activities become lethargic, until the symptoms of canker sores can occur. Anemia can occur worse and cause hypotension or low blood pressure. For that consult a doctor immediately if you happen anemia protracted.

Diarrhea: Due to lack of folic acid can cause heartburn and other intestinal diseases. So can result in diarrhea. Diarrhea means defecate more than usual, and usually contains more water. This is due to folic acid to optimize gut can not occur. Such as water absorption in the large intestine does not occur. So that people with diarrhea, can experience acute dehydration. If this attack on baby, can lead to death due to lack of fluids in the body.

Thrush: Although many thought that canker sores occur because the body lacks vitamin C. It turns out that folic acid deficiency can also trigger these sores. Regular consumption of vitamin B complex can relieve canker sores, canker sores will be lost because of the mouth at least within a period of 7 to 14 days.

Swollen Tongue: Swollen tongue, similar to the symptoms of thrush when the body is deficient in vitamin B9. Swelling of the tongue is usually whitish or purplish. Swollen tongue, experiencing symptoms of tongue function impaired, unable to feel the taste in general. Or tongue becomes rough and cracked so that the throat was sore to swallow. This occurs when folic acid is less consumed so that your metabolism to maintain body functions that are often used as the tongue can not occur. This could also be accompanied by swollen tongue thrush. Can infect anyone, either young or adult.