Have you ever heard that supplementing with Folic Acid is a good thing? Women who are pregnant or might become pregnant take folic acid to prevent miscarriage and “neural tube defects,” birth defects such as spina bifida that occur when the fetus’s spine and back don’t close during development.
Folic acid is a water-soluble B vitamin that is also used for preventing and treating low blood levels of folic acid as well as conditions like liver disease, alcoholism and kidney dialysis. Folic acid has can be used for many things, but don’t rush out and start supplementing with it.
Here’s the deal: since 1998, Folic Acid has been added to cold cereals, flour, breads, pasta, bakery items, cookies, and crackers, as required by federal law. Then you have foods that are naturally high in folic acid which include leafy vegetables (such as spinach, broccoli, and lettuce), okra, asparagus, fruits (such as bananas, melons, and lemons) beans, yeast, mushrooms, orange juice, and tomato juice.
The recommended amount of Folic Acid each day is 400 mcg. But if you’re consuming products that are fortified with Folic Acid, you may be consuming too much, which could cause abdominal cramps, diarrhea, rash, sleep disorders, irritability, confusion, nausea, stomach upset, behavior changes, skin reactions, seizures, gas, excitability, and other side effects. There is some concern that taking too much folic acid can increase the risk of heart attack in people who have heart problems. Other research suggests that taking these high doses might also increase the risk of cancer such as lung or prostate cancer.
It’s unfortunate, but if you’re taking a multivitamin that has Folic Acid – STOP. This is one of many reasons to take our Diet Free Daily multivitamin. We specifically formulated our Diet Free Daily without Folic Acid, but packed with the key vitamins and ingredients that fills nutritional gaps and acts as a fat accelerator. Learn more about Diet Free Daily in our store at www.MyDietFreeLife.com
