Guest guest Posted December 18, 2007 Report Share Posted December 18, 2007 In 1999 I was diagnosed with folate depletion, shortly after taking prescription antibiotics. A few years ago I again develoded folate depletion after taking prescription antibiotics and developing a Clostridium intestinal infection. Depletion is a horrible symptom picture and will make you feel like you are dieing. Thanks for the posted information and links. PA -- In , treblclef2 wrote: > > > FOLIC ACID - miscarriages & birth defects > _http://www.newstarget.com/016208.html_ > (http://www.newstarget.com/016208.html) > > > > > > > > > Featured articles on Folic Acid > _http://www.newstarget.com/folic_acid.html_ > (http://www.newstarget.com/folic_acid.html) > > > > > > Featured articles on Folate > _http://www.newstarget.com/folate.html_ (http://www.newstarget.com/folate.ht > ml) > > > > > _http://www.newstarget.com/016208.html_ > (http://www.newstarget.com/016208.html) > Pregnant women plagued by cravings for pickles and ice cream must remember > to include plenty of folic acid in their diets. Shown to reduce the risk of > miscarriage and birth defects, folic acid †" found primarily in leafy green > vegetables †" is an absolute necessity for any woman who is pregnant or is > considering becoming pregnant. In fact, " health officials at the U.S. Centers for > Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) now recommend that all women of > childbearing age take folic acid (0.4 mg daily) to protect their future newborns from > developing a neural tube defect, an anomaly of the spinal cord, " writes Burton > Goldberg in Alternative Medicine. > However, it's not just expectant moms who could stand to add more leafy > greens to their plates. Because it is useful in combating everything from _acne_ > (http://www.newstarget.com/acne.html) and canker sores to _osteoporosis_ > (http://www.newstarget.com/osteoporosis.html) and cancer, we could all benefit > from adding more _folic acid_ (http://www.newstarget.com/folic_acid.html) to > our diets. Along with _pregnant women_ > (http://www.newstarget.com/pregnant_women.html) , elderly individuals and people suffering from depression or > _nervous system_ (http://www.newstarget.com/nervous_system.html) disorders > especially stand to gain from the addition of this B vitamin. > Folic acid, the synthetic form of the B vitamin _folate_ > (http://www.newstarget.com/folate.html) , works primarily in the brain and nervous system and is > necessary for the synthesis of _DNA_ (http://www.newstarget.com/DNA.html) , > the production of red and white blood cells and of norepinephrine and > _serotonin_ (http://www.newstarget.com/serotonin.html) in the nervous system. Folic > acid also aids in the elimination of the amino acid _homocysteine_ > (http://www.newstarget.com/homocysteine.html) from the blood, a breakdown product of > _animal protein_ (http://www.newstarget.com/animal_protein.html) (methionine, > actually) that contributes to _heart attacks_ > (http://www.newstarget.com/heart_attacks.html) . A lack of folic acid can lead to _anemia_ > (http://www.newstarget.com/anemia.html) , insomnia, irritability and far more serious health > problems. > Despite its range of health benefits, many Americans are deficient in the > vitamin, coming nowhere near the government's recommended daily allowance of > 200 micrograms daily. " The average American gets only 61 percent of the old > Recommended Dietary Allowance, which is too low anyway, " says James Duke, PhD in > Anti-Aging Prescriptions. Part of the reason for the shortfall is that more > Americans are choosing to eat more animal foods †" which are a poor source of > folic acid †" rather than folic-acid rich plant foods, like dark _green > vegetables_ (http://www.newstarget.com/green_vegetables.html) , legumes, root > vegetables and _whole grains_ (http://www.newstarget.com/whole_grains.html) . > Dr. Andrew Weil, in Ask Dr. Weil, recommends the use of supplements to make > up for the deficiency. " As many as 90 percent of Americans don't get that > protective 400 micrograms in their diet †" for example, you'd have to eat two > cups of steamed _spinach_ (http://www.newstarget.com/spinach.html) , a cup of > boiled lentils, or eight _oranges_ (http://www.newstarget.com/oranges.html) > every day. So it's important to take a supplement, especially if you're a woman > and considering having children someday. " As Dr. Weil suggests, for women who > are deficient in this essential vitamin, the health costs can be especially > high. > Folic acid is essential for pregnant women. Not only does it protect against > _cervical cancer_ (http://www.newstarget.com/cervical_cancer.html) , it also > aids in healthy prenatal development and can significantly reduce the risk of > serious neural tube _birth defects_ > (http://www.newstarget.com/birth_defects.html) and abnormalities that occur in very early fetal development, such as > _spina bifida_ (http://www.newstarget.com/spina_bifida.html) . However, > experts say most women aren't getting adequate levels of folic acid early enough > to offer the best protection against birth defects. > " Very few women of child bearing years are taking folic acid… If a person > waits until pregnant, the fetal abnormality is already established. All women > of child-bearing age who might become pregnant should be taking 400 mg of > folic acid, " advises Dr. James Howenstine in A Physicians Guide To Natural Health > Products That Work. To make matters even more difficult, women who take > _birth control_ (http://www.newstarget.com/birth_control.html) pills are > especially prone to deficiency in the B vitamin since birth control pills actually > produce folic acid deficiency. > Men planning to become fathers need to monitor their folic acid intake as > well, as low folic acid levels in males has been linked to low _sperm count_ > (http://www.newstarget.com/sperm_count.html) , and some studies suggest > deficiency can also damage DNA carried by the sperm. Such damaged DNA could lead to > chromosomal damage in a fetus, according to Bottom Line Yearbook 2004. In > other words, both men and women who plan to have children should increase their > folic acid intake for the sake of their baby-to-be. > Folic acid promotes good health for the mind and body, from the earliest > stages of life to the latest. Men and women over 60 who feel fatigued and > depressed may simply be suffering from a folic acid deficiency. In fact, folic acid > deficiency has been linked to _depression_ > (http://www.newstarget.com/depression.html) in patients of all ages, and according to Gary Null'sComplete > Guide of Natural Healing, " the lower the level of folic acid in the blood, the > higher the degree of depression. " > Folic acid can also help ward off _dementia_ > (http://www.newstarget.com/dementia.html) , according to Patrick Quillin in Beating Cancer With Nutrition, > who wrote that experts estimate up to 20 percent of senility in older adults is > simply the result of a long-term deficiency of folic acid and _vitamin B-12_ > (http://www.newstarget.com/vitamin_B-12.html) , which can be aided by taking > supplements. However, when taking folic acid supplements, it is important to > remember that folic acid and vitamin B-12 work most effectively together, so > you should make sure you are getting enough vitamin B-12, as well. Vegans > often struggle with this balance since their _diets_ > (http://www.newstarget.com/diets.html) are very rich in folic acid but not in B-12. > The meager representation of folic acid in the American diet can be > increased if we all just take a little more care in planning our meals. One way to up > folic acid consumption is to make sure your diet includes _raw foods_ > (http://www.newstarget.com/raw_foods.html) , since heat from cooking easily destroys > folic acid. And remember, sources of folic acid are plentiful †" soybeans, > spinach, _broccoli_ (http://www.newstarget.com/broccoli.html) , cabbage, > peanuts, asparagus, citrus fruits, brussels _sprouts_ > (http://www.newstarget.com/sprouts.html) , avocado, sunflower seeds, _orange juice_ > (http://www.newstarget.com/orange_juice.html) and don't forget those leafy greens †" we just have to > be willing to integrate these foods into our diets. > And who wouldn't be willing? After all, some added folic acid could go a > long way in helping keep your nervous and circulatory systems in check, while > also protecting your body from cancer and _heart problems_ > (http://www.newstarget.com/heart_problems.html) , as well as promoting healthy fetal development > in babies. Folic acid is something we need at all stage of life, so we owe it > to ourselves to get enough. > The experts speak on folic acid > General information on folic acid > A study is available from the Washington Council for Responsible Nutrition > that reports women taking Vitamin E over age 50 and folic acid and Zinc during > childbearing years would save Medicare 11 billion dollars, and overall > reduce birth defects and coronary _heart disease_ > (http://www.newstarget.com/heart_disease.html) hospital expenses of 20 billion dollars per year. > Anti-Aging Manual by Joseph B Marion, page 100 > WHAT IS IT? Even though your body needs only comparatively minuscule amounts > of folic acid, it is a vital nutrient. Folic acid†" along with all the other > nutrients, of course†" is your guarantee of optimum physical and mental health. > Your levels of folic acid are dependent on outside sources; your body does > not make it on its own. Furthermore, it needs _vitamin C_ > (http://www.newstarget.com/vitamin_C.html) to work properly. It works in partnership with B12 and > B6, as well as the other _B vitamins_ > (http://www.newstarget.com/B_vitamins.html) . Folic acid is essential to the production of norepinephrine and > serotonin, chemical go-betweens of the nervous system. > Complete Guide Health Nutrition by Gary Null, page 284 > Folic acid is one of the B _vitamins_ > (http://www.newstarget.com/vitamins.html) that is crucial for the synthesis of DNA (genetic material) as well as > for many other important cell functions. It was discovered in spinach leaves in > 1941 and was named " folate, " after the Latin word for leaf (folium). The > terms folate and folic acid are roughly synonymous. For the sake of simplicity, > I will generally use the latter term. Not surprisingly, this vitamin is > mainly found in green leafy _vegetables_ > (http://www.newstarget.com/vegetables.html) . Although folic acid is not an _antioxidant_ > (http://www.newstarget.com/antioxidant.html) , it boosts the antioxidant network and thus has a place in > our story. > Antioxidants Against Cancer by Ralph Moss PhD, page 92 > WHO NEEDS folic acid? If you are pregnant, _elderly_ > (http://www.newstarget.com/elderly.html) , or suffer from any sort of nervous disorder, you may > benefit from additional amounts of folic acid in your diet. Pregnant women, for > instance, must be wary of folic acid deficiency. Folic acid supplementation has > been helpful in preventing abortion and _miscarriage_ > (http://www.newstarget.com/miscarriage.html) . The elderly need additional folic acid, too. If you > are over sixty and depressed, withdrawn, and chronically tired, you may be > deficient in this vital element. Let's look at the results of a study in which > folic acid was added to the diets of elderly individuals: three groups of > patients were used, all with varying degrees of circulation problems. The first > group, those with the least degree of difficulty, experienced improved vision > less than an hour after receiving folic acid. (Among those with circulatory > problems, vision is often impaired because of poor circulation to the optical > tissues.) > Complete Guide Health Nutrition by Gary Null, page 284 > Folic acid: a water-soluble vitamin of the B complex essential for the > synthesis of nucleic acids and necessary for making red blood cells > (hematopoiesis), so a deficiency of folic acid results in anemia. After absorption, it is > successively reduced to dihydro-folic acid and then tetrahydrofolic acid, the > parent compound of the derivatives that act as coenzyme carriers of > one-carbon groups in various metabolic reactions. > Building Wellness with DMG by Roger V Kendall PhD, page 216 > Red blood cells are built with Vitamins B-12, folic acid, and B6. > Anti-Aging Manual by Joseph B Marion, page 100 > And remember, folic acid can be destroyed by exposure to heat and strong > light. > Complete Guide Health Nutrition by Gary Null, page 286 > Recommendations on folic acid > Doctors routinely advise women who are pregnant, or thinking of becoming > pregnant, to supplement folic acid (a B vitamin also known as folate) as a means > of safeguarding against birth defects such as spinal malformations. > Anti-Aging Prescriptions by James Duke PhD, page 219 > It is becoming increasingly obvious that food supplementation is necessary > to prevent _cancer_ (http://www.newstarget.com/cancer.html) and other > diseases. The prestigious Institute of Medicine (IOM) of the National Academy of > Sciences in 1998 called for supplementation with folic acid and _vitamin B12_ > (http://www.newstarget.com/vitamin_B12.html) . > Antioxidants Against Cancer by Ralph Moss PhD, page 10 > If you're concerned that your diet might not provide enough vitamin B6 and > folic acid to prevent _stroke_ (http://www.newstarget.com/stroke.html) , Dr. > Lieberman suggests taking supplements of both nutrients. Aim for 300 milligrams > of B6 and 800 micrograms of folic acid a day Vitamin B6 doses this high, > however, should only be taken under medical supervision. Add E for extra > protection. > Blended Medicine by Michael Castleman, page 10 > Vegetarians owe it to themselves to be extra careful about their diets. As > Richard W. Vilter, M.D., of the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, > warns, " Persons who eat absolutely no animal protein (called _vegans_ > (http://www.newstarget.com/vegans.html) ) or extreme vegetarians have no source of > vitamin B12, but much folic acid in their diets. " Frequently in such subjects, > neurologic abnormalities develop of the posterolateral column degeneration > type. This is a situation analogous to a patient with pernicious anemia who is > treated inadequately with a mixed vitamin capsule containing folic acid. " > There is another danger for those who abstain from animal foods, including > _dairy products_ (http://www.newstarget.com/dairy_products.html) : dietary > deficiencies don't show up for five to ten years because the body is able to hold > some B12 in reserve. Nerve damage may exist without signs of deficiency until it > is too late. The result of degeneration of the nervous system and the spinal > cord is so irreparable that death may be the result. > Complete Guide Health Nutrition by Gary Null, page 283 > Benefits and uses of folic acid > Folic acid is important during the _aging_ > (http://www.newstarget.com/aging.html) process because it provides nourishment for the brain. Folic acid > supports the production of energy and the production of blood cells. > Supplementing with folic acid may help in the treatment of depression. > Alternative Medicine by Burton Goldberg, page 321 > Three to four hundred milligrams of vitamin B5 and 150 mg of B6 should be > consumed on a daily basis, while _prescriptions_ > (http://www.newstarget.com/prescriptions.html) of folic acid can serve as natural hormone replacements. > Adequate quantities of essential fatty acids should also be consumed because > they act as natural hormone supplements, prevent cancer, and can alleviate the > symptoms of aging. > Complete Encyclopedia Of Natural Healing by Gary Null PhD, page 258 > Folic acid, the synthetic form of the B vitamin folate, is incredibly > important. For one thing, folate is a key regulator of an amino acid called > homocysteine, a breakdown product of animal protein. A number of studies have > connected high levels of homocysteine in the blood to arterial disease and heart > attacks. Folate helps the body eliminate homocysteine from the blood. Recently, > Dr. Howard Morrison, an epidemiologist in Ottawa, was able to make a direct > connection between folate and heart disease. He looked at folate levels in > the blood of 5,056 men who had participated in a _nutrition_ > (http://www.newstarget.com/nutrition.html) study in the 1970s, and he found that those with > low levels of the vitamin were 69 percent more likely to have died from heart > problems in the years since. Folate also has been found to prevent neural tube > defects (such as spina bifida and anencephaly) in babies, which are caused > when this structure fails to form properly. The neural tube is the embryonic > tissue that later becomes the brain and spinal cord. Apparently folic acid is > essential to its proper development. Earlier this year, the Food and Drug > Administration ordered pasta, rice, and flour makers to add folic acid to their > foods as protection against birth defects. > Ask Dr Weil by Andrew Weil MD, page 98 > Proper nutritional supplementation can significantly improve cardiovascular > conditions, as well as prevent them from occurring in the first place. Useful > nutrients include beta carotene; vitamins B3 (niacin), Be, B12, C, and E; > folic acid; the _minerals_ (http://www.newstarget.com/minerals.html) calcium, > chromium, magnesium, _potassium_ (http://www.newstarget.com/potassium.html) , > and selenium; the _amino acids_ (http://www.newstarget.com/amino_acids.html) > L-arginine, L-taurine, and L-carnitine; coenzyme Q10; and pycnogenol. > Alternative Medicine by Burton Goldberg, page 771 > According to some studies, folic acid has been helpful in relieving > depression, even when used in dosages as low as 400 meg. It can also enhance cerebral > circulation. One study showed that people with low levels of folic acid were > twice as likely as people with adequate levels to have narrowed arteries in > their necks. Psychiatric symptoms also appear to be much higher in people, > particularly elderly people, who have low folic acid levels. In one study, low > folic acid levels increased likelihood of dementia by 300 percent. folic acid > is especially effective at breaking down the common chemical homocysteine, > which is a neurotoxin. An appropriate daily dosage would be 400 meg, the > amount found in many multiple vitamins. > Brain Longevity by Dharma Singh Khalsa M.D. with Cameron Stauth, page 247 > Folic acid: This is another member of the vitamin B family, found in > abundance in liver, kidney, _mushrooms_ (http://www.newstarget.com/mushrooms.html) , > spinach, yeast and green leafy vegetables. It has been used for decades to > prevent and treat certain forms of anemia. But folic acid also increases the > production of white blood cells crucial in the defense against cancer. In the > late 1980s, scientists at the University of Alabama Medical Center found that > the folic acid in dark leafy vegetables, oranges and liver could act together > with vitamin B to prevent injuries to lung tissue and retard the > development of cancer among cigarette _smokers_ (http://www.newstarget.com/smokers.html) > . These researchers found that smokers whose lung cells were injured had low > levels of both folic acid and vitamin B12. Since these nutrients are > necessary to synthesize DNA, a deficiency of one or both of these vitamins could > make cells more susceptible to the effects of carcinogens. These vitamins also > offered protection against birth defects and cancerous changes in cervical > cells. > Cancer Therapy by Ralph W Moss PhD, page 42 > Floss one to two times daily and then rinse mouth (for one minute) with > several mouthfuls of liquid folic acid (0.1% solution) and then swallow. In one > study, 60 individuals with gingivitis rinsed for one minute two times daily > and had beneficial results. If you cannot find liquid folic acid, buy folic > acid crystals in 800 meg capsules, empty two capsules in _water_ > (http://www.newstarget.com/water.html) and use this to gargle. > Alternative Medicine by Burton Goldberg, page 1055 > Lipotropic factors are compounds that promote the transportation and > utilization of fats, and help prevent the accumulation of fat in the liver. They > include methionine, _choline_ (http://www.newstarget.com/choline.html) , folic > acid, and vitamin B12. > Cancer And Natural Medicine by John Boik, page 140 > Folic acid helps against uric acid. > Anti-Aging Manual by Joseph B Marion, page 560 > The four B vitamins that are most important for your brain are B12, B6, B3, > and folic acid. > Brain Longevity by Dharma Singh Khalsa M.D. with Cameron Stauth, page 246 > The body uses 75-99% of its Calcium, with Phosphorus, Boron, Manganese, > Silica, Magnesium, Copper, Zinc, Strontium; Protein; the Vitamins A, B-Complex, > B6, folic acid, Vitamin C, _Vitamin D_ > (http://www.newstarget.com/Vitamin_D.html) , and Vitamin K to form bone tissue and teeth. > Anti-Aging Manual by Joseph B Marion, page 800 > The primary nutritional building blocks of both neurotransmitters are the > amino acids tyrosine and phenylalanine. To potentiate the action of these amino > acids, folic acid, _magnesium_ (http://www.newstarget.com/magnesium.html) , > and vitamins C and B can be taken. > Brain Longevity by Dharma Singh Khalsa M.D. with Cameron Stauth, page 213 > Part of the vitamin B complex, folic acid is necessary for synthesis of > nucleic acids and formation of the heme component of hemoglobin in red blood > cells. > Britannica Encyclopedia Volume One, page 674 > [Folic acid] is especially helpful for patients with a history of breast > cancer, cervical dysplasia, and smoking. For smokers, it cuts down on the > adverse effects of nicotine on the lungs. > Complete Encyclopedia Of Natural Healing by Gary Null PhD, page 84 > Treatments using folic acid > Folic acid is also used in the treatment of cervical dysplasia, a > pre-cancerous condition of the uterus, and for this reason is also given to women who > take birth control pills or who are pregnant. > Alternative Medicine by Burton Goldberg, page 410 > Nerves on edge? Folic acid can help. The Lancet, Britain's prestigious > medical journal, reports, " In the past decade [however] there has been increasing > interest in the role of folate [folic acid] in neuronal _metabolism_ > (http://www.newstarget.com/metabolism.html) , in neuropsychiatric illness, and in > antiepileptic and convulsant mechanisms. " When a folic acid deficiency occurs, > your nervous system suffers, because there is normally such a high folate > concentration in your cerebrospinal fluid. In many psychiatric and geriatric > patients with mental dysfunctions, deficiency is common. " This is a promising area > for future research, " The Lancet adds. > Complete Guide Health Nutrition by Gary Null, page 285 > Dr. Aesoph adds that _chromium_ (http://www.newstarget.com/chromium.html) > aids in stabilizing the erratic blood sugar seen in alcoholic hypoglycemia, > while choline and folic acid are also commonly cited as important supplements to > assist in the body's recovery from addiction. > Alternative Medicine by Burton Goldberg, page 480 > Homocysteinemia: Persons with elevated levels of homocysteine are at risk > for arteriosclerosis. This can and should be corrected with adequate amounts of > folic acid, B 12, pyridoxine, and trimethylglycine. The only way you can be > sure you are getting adequate amount of therapy is to regularly monitor blood > levels of homocysteine. Current estimates are that 30 to 40% of arterial > disease is related to high levels of homocysteine. > A Physicians Guide To Natural Health Products That Work By James Howenstine > MD, page 220 > Vitamin B may help for premenstrual or mid-menstrual cycle acne. Coexisting > gum problems suggest the need for folic acid. > Alternative Medicine by Burton Goldberg, page 988 > [For] pins and needles in the legs, take folic acid and B-12. > Anti-Aging Manual by Joseph B Marion, page 1100 > Take 5 grams Vitamin C, 1 gram Calcium. 1/2 gram Magnesium, 100 mg. > B-Complex, extra B6, B-12. and folic acid (for severe depression, requires Vitamin C > for absorption). > Anti-Aging Manual by Joseph B Marion, page 800 > Find relief in folic acid. One study found that women who experienced > problems with constipation had low levels of the B vitamin folic acid in their > blood. When the women began taking folic acid supplements, all of their symptoms > subsided. Try taking up to 5,000 micrograms a day until the condition > subsides, advises clinical nutritionist Shari Lieberman, Ph.D. But check with your > doctor first, since dosages of folic acid over 1,000 micrograms should only be > taken under medical supervision. > Blended Medicine by Michael Castleman, page 11 > Herpes may be helped overnight by chewing folic acid with 500 mg. L-Lysine > twice daily, and Zinc tablets. > Anti-Aging Manual by Joseph B Marion, page 455 > If agitation or hyperactivity is seen, it is recommended that folic acid > should be given in the amount of two 800 microgram tablets for each 125 mg of > DMG taken. > Building Wellness with DMG by Roger V Kendall PhD, page 116 > Disease prevention with folic acid > Folic acid, a B vitamin, is now known to prevent neural tube defects like > spina bifida, a serious abnormality of early fetal development. Unfortunately, > by the time most women learn they are pregnant, the critical period has > already passed. A major source of folic acid is the cooked greens recommended in > the program (another is orange juice). If you are contemplating _pregnancy_ > (http://www.newstarget.com/pregnancy.html) or think there is any possibility > that you could get pregnant, for insurance take a daily B-complex vitamin > supplement providing 400 micrograms of folic acid. > 8 Weeks To Optimum Health By Andrew Weil MD, page 222 > Women taking 400 mg of folic acid also have a decreased risk of _heart > attack_ (http://www.newstarget.com/heart_attack.html) and protection against > _Alzheimer's_ (http://www.newstarget.com/Alzheimers.html) Disease and stroke. After > 15 years of 400 mg of folic acid there is a 75% reduction in the number of > women who get colon cancer. > A Physicians Guide To Natural Health Products That Work By James Howenstine > MD, page 19 > According to University of Washington researchers, 13,500 to 50,000 deaths > from cardiovascular disease could be prevented every year if everyone took > folic acid (the supplement form of folate) every day. All you need is 200 > micrograms a day. > Anti-Aging Prescriptions by James Duke PhD, page 145 > SPINA BIFIDA. Failure of the spinal bones to close over nerves arising from > the lower end of the spinal cord. May cause paralysis of the legs and > incontinence. Associated with poverty, bad housing and is more common in Celtic > races and among the sikhs. Most common cause is folic acid deficiency. Prevention > only. A woman of childbearing age should increase her consumption of food > rich in folic acid, such as Brussels sprouts, spinach, green beans, oranges, > potatoes, wholemeal bread, yeast extract. New evidence suggests health is > determined before birth by a mother's condition during pregnancy. The UK > Department of Health advises 400 micrograms (0.4mg) folic acid until the twelfth week > of pregnancy. > Bartrams Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine by Thomas Bartram, page 25 > Perhaps as much as 30 percent of all heart disease is directly caused by > high homocysteine levels, he says. That's the bad news. The good news is that > three B vitamins†" folic acid, B6, and B12†" can help convert homocysteine to > methionine or cystine, thus protecting your heart. Dr. Baum recommends taking 800 > to 1,000 micrograms of folic acid, 400 micrograms of vitamin B12, and 50 > milligrams of vitamin B6 daily. > Alternative Cures by Bill Gottlieb, page 337 > ...Other nutrients may be equally critical to the prevention of > osteoporosis. " Vitamin K, silicon, boron, folic acid, magnesium, and _manganese_ > (http://www.newstarget.com/manganese.html) all play a role in bone building and need > to be consumed through diet or supplements, " he says. To prevent > osteoporosis, you must get sufficient levels and the proper ratio of these bone > nutrients. > Alternative Medicine by Burton Goldberg, page 840 > Sources of folic acid > Folic acid, a B vitamin found in green leafy vegetables, _nuts_ > (http://www.newstarget.com/nuts.html) , and whole grains, can prevent neural tube defects > in fetuses. > Alternative Medicine by Burton Goldberg, page 866 > Greens are high in vitamins and minerals, including iron and _calcium_ > (http://www.newstarget.com/calcium.html) in forms that the body can absorb and use > more readily than supplements. For example, they are a major source of folic > acid (folate), a B vitamin that regulates protein metabolism and offers > significant protection against coronary heart disease. ( " Folate " and " foliage " > share the same root.) > 8 Weeks To Optimum Health By Andrew Weil MD, page 141 > Eat at least eight servings of _fruits and vegetables_ > (http://www.newstarget.com/fruits_and_vegetables.html) each day. These high-fiber, low-fat foods > are typically rich in folic acid and other B vitamins, which reduce the risk > for heart disease by helping to prevent arterial blood clots. > Bottom Line Yearbook 2002 by Bottom Line Personnel, page 331 > The leafy green that Popeye made famous is among the best plant sources of > folate. All you need is 200 micrograms a day. You can get more than that from > 1/2 cup of spinach (or lentils, pinto beans, lima beans, black- eyed peas, or > sunflower _seeds_ (http://www.newstarget.com/seeds.html) ) or a cup or two of > spinach soup. What a pleasant way to stave off stroke and heart attack! Of > course, spinach and beans aren't the only great sources of folate. Others > include parsley, _cabbage_ (http://www.newstarget.com/cabbage.html) , asparagus, > broccoli, brussels sprouts, endive, okra, avocado, _peanuts_ > (http://www.newstarget.com/peanuts.html) , sunflower seeds, and orange juice. > Anti-Aging Prescriptions by James Duke PhD, page 145 > A major source of folic acid is the cooked greens recommended in the program > (another is orange juice). > 8 Weeks To Optimum Health By Andrew Weil MD, page 222 > Beetroot is rich in potassium, folic acid, and the antioxidant glutathione. > Alternative Medicine by Burton Goldberg, page 173 > Legumes: Peas and beans, such as kidney, lima, soybean, navy, black, and > lentils, are loaded with protein, folic acid, and amino acids. > Alternative Medicine by Burton Goldberg, page 192 > Diets rich in folic acid and B vitamins would turn out to have such powerful > benefits for the heart that they could outweigh such " sins " as moderate red > meat intake. Could the public be blamed for its confusion? > Betrayal Of Trust By Laurie Garrett, page 394 > Folic acid†" This substance protects against cervical cancer and is necessary > for proper synthesis of RNA and DNA. It is found in beets, cabbage, dark > leafy vegetables, eggs, dairy products, citrus _fruits_ > (http://www.newstarget.com/fruits.html) , and most fish. > Alternative Medicine by Burton Goldberg, page 591 > Dietary folate sources include leafy and dark green vegetables, citrus > fruits, cereals, beans, poultry, and egg yolks, but free folic acid occurs only in > supplements. > Britannica Encyclopedia Volume One, page 674 > Folic acid [is] found in whole grains, chickpeas, _soybeans_ > (http://www.newstarget.com/soybeans.html) , spinach, broccoli, and cabbage)… > Alternative Medicine by Burton Goldberg, page 745 > Probiotics help suppress the growth of yeast, improve digestion by > increasing the production of some enzymes, produce acids that fight bacteria, and > manufacture nutrients such as vitamins K, Bi, B2, B3, B12, and folic acid. > Alternative Medicine by Burton Goldberg, page 908 > Foods rich in folic acid include spinach and other dark green leafy > vegetables, broccoli, asparagus, and whole wheat. > Blended Medicine by Michael Castleman, page 10 > Many women have also long esteemed certain wild mushrooms, which some > thought to be special gifts from Mother Earth. As we now know, naturally grown > mushrooms (as opposed to commercial mushrooms grown in the dark) contain folic > acid, which helps to prevent birth defects. These delicious and abundant > choices, which do not have any poisonous look-alikes, can be eaten when they are > underripe. > American Indian Healing Arts by E.Barrie Kavasch and Karen Baar, page 146 > Folic acid deficiencies > Folic acid may be the most common vitamin deficiency in the world, since > more people are choosing animal foods (poor source of folic acid) over plant > foods. The name, folic acid, comes from the Latin term " folium " , meaning > foliage, since dark green leafy vegetables are a rich source of folic acid. Other > good sources of folic acid include brewer's yeast, legumes, asparagus, oranges, > cabbage, root vegetables and whole grains. Since folic acid is essential for > all new cell growth, disturbances in folic acid metabolism are far reaching, > including heart disease (due to more homocysteine in the blood), birth > defects, immune suppression, cancer, premature senility and a long list of other > conditions. Without adequate folate in the diet, cell growth is like a drunk > driver heading down the highway†" more likely to do some harm than not. > Beating Cancer With Nutrition by Patrick Quillin, page 180 > Birth Control Pills: These pills produce folic acid deficiency. Where there > is a lack of folic acid, homocysteine blood levels rise and this is > associated with osteoporosis. > A Physicians Guide To Natural Health Products That Work By James Howenstine > MD, page 130 > Men Need folic acid too. Low folic acid levels in men are associated with > low sperm count. A recent study has led investigators to hypothesize that low > folic acid could also damage the DNA that sperm carry†" which could lead to > chromosomal damage in a fetus. Self-defense: Eat plenty of folate- rich fruits and > vegetables and fortified grain products. > Bottom Line Yearbook 2004 by Bottom Line Personnel, page 334 > B12 anemia is often accompanied by folic acid anemia. One of the reasons > folic acid is important is that it fosters healthy prenatal development: It aids > in the prevention of birth defects, such as those of the neural tube, and is > crucial for proper cell production in the growing fetus. Folic acid is > easily consumed by heat; hence, diets that consist primarily of cooked foods, with > few raw foods included, often result in this type of deficiency. In > addition, young children may develop a folic acid deficiency if they are given goat's > milk. (Although superior to cow's milk in many ways, goat's milk lacks folic > acid.) Teenagers and adults who are vegetarians may also fall victim to this > form of anemia if they do not carefully balance their diets. Finally, folic > acid anemia can be induced by alcoholism, which completely drains the body of > this nutrient, and by the consumption of certain prescription drugs, such as > oral contraceptives and anticancer drugs. > Complete Encyclopedia Of Natural Healing by Gary Null PhD, page 32 > Experts have estimated that up to 20% of all senility in older adults is > merely a long term deficiency of folic acid and vitamin B-12. The RDA of folate > is 200 meg for adults and 400 meg for pregnant women, although the Center for > Disease Control has recommended that 800 meg of folic acid would prevent > most cases of spinal bifida. Without adequate folic acid in the body, there is a > buildup of homocysteine in the blood, which probably generates 10% or more > of the 1 million cases of heart disease each year in the U.S. > Beating Cancer With Nutrition by Patrick Quillin, page 180 > Deficiencies of folic acid and vitamin B12 may cause some cases of recurrent > canker sores, says Flora Parsa Stay, D.D.S., a dentist in Oxnard, > California. If you have recurrent sores, she recommends taking 400 micrograms of folic > acid and 200 micrograms of vitamin B12 daily. > Alternative Cures by Bill Gottlieb, page 142 > Persons with _AIDS_ (http://www.newstarget.com/AIDS.html) are often > deficient in folic acid, selenium, _zinc_ (http://www.newstarget.com/zinc.html) , and > iron. > Alternative Medicine by Burton Goldberg, page 497 > Deficiencies in vitamins B6, B12, and folic acid can trigger such > neurological changes as a drop in alertness and memory ability as well as numbness and > tingling in the legs. > BioMarkers by Williams Evans PhD and Irwin H Rosenberg MD, page 250 > Reduced levels of certain vitamins, minerals, and amino acids have been > tentatively linked with Alzheimer's, including folic acid, niacin (vitamin B3), > thiamin (vitamin Bi), vitamins Be, B12, C, D, and E, magnesium, selenium, > zinc, and tryptophan. > Alternative Medicine by Burton Goldberg, page 524 > The elderly generally are deficient in Calories, Protein, Iron, Vitamins A > and C, Calcium, the B-Complex, especially B-12 and folic acid, and that's with > 70% of _the elderly_ (http://www.newstarget.com/the_elderly.html) in > institutions where the diets are carefully planned. > Anti-Aging Manual by Joseph B Marion, page 315 > Low levels of folic acid, vitamin B12, pyridoxine, iron, and magnesium are > some of the most commonly implicated nutritional influences on depression. > Beat Depression with St John's Wort by Steven Bratman, page 103 > [Folate] anemia resulting from too little folic acid, needed for > red-blood-cell maturation (see erythrocyte). White-cell and platelet levels are also > often low. Progressive gastrointestinal problems develop. It may result from > poor diet or from malabsorption, cirrhosis of the liver, or anticonvulsant > drugs; it may also occur in the last three months of pregnancy and in severe > hemolytic anemia (in which red cells break down). The blood profile resembles that > of pernicious anemia. Taking folic acid causes rapid improvement; an > adequate diet cures cases caused by malnutrition. > Britannica Encyclopedia Volume One, page 674 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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