Folate: The Case for and Against

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Table of Contents

Introduction
The role of folic acid in fetal development
Discussion
Summary and Recommendations
List of References

Introduction

A folic acid is a form of vitamin B-group that is found in several foods. Folate is referred to as folic acid when it is added to foods. In other contexts folic acid is also known as folacin or pteroylmonoglutamic acid. It is a form of the vitamin that is soluble in water. Its composition is made up of an aromatic pteridine ring that connects to a para-aminobenzoic acid. This is attached to either one or several glutamate deposits. Its biological functionality comes from the tetrahydrofolate in addition to other derivatives that have to be converted to dihydrofolic acid which is a process that takes place in the liver (Littwack, 2008.P.17). Various functions in the body need folic acids.

The body uses folate in form of folic acids because it cannot synthesize folate in its natural form. Bodies of pregnant mothers need a lot of folates. They require an intake of about six hundred micrograms of folic acid every day in their diets. However, pregnant women need an extra four hundred micrograms for the first three months after conception. As provided, the folate can be consumed as either supplement or as a mixture of normal foods. Foods from the farm may contain folic acids in addition to those that are commercially sold. Wheat flour, chickpeas, spinach, cabbage, oranges, potato, salmon, and tomato are some of the foods and vegetables rich in folic acid (Spreen, 2000. p.31).

The role of folic acid in fetal development

Pregnant women are supposed to increase their intake of folic acid. This is because pregnancy calls for an increase in their diets. Bodies of embryos and those of children up to the age of six months do not manufacture iron and as such, they use iron drawn from their mothers. This is the reason for pregnant mothers’ increased need for iron. Nutritionists recommend that pregnant mothers must take extra nine micrograms of iron more than women who are not. This means that they are supposed to take twenty-seven micrograms a day. Various compelling reasons require a pregnant mother to consume folic acids.

First, it helps to prevent neural tube defects (NTDs) in developing embryos. This is a combination of various birth-related defects from the cluster of congenital malformations (Zand, Rountree & Walton 2003. P. 41). Areas affected include the spinal cord where the spina bifida gets affected and the brain where defects include anencephaly. These abnormalities severely damage the development of the central nervous system of the developing babies. The effects of such defects come at the earliest stages of pregnancy.

Health practitioners recommend that consuming folic acids a month before conception that is the preconception period up to the first three months of pregnancy reduces the risk of children getting affected with NTDs to seventy percent. The body of the children also uses folic acids to make the red blood cells and in the process eliminate the chances of anemia. It is an essential part of the production, renovation, and coordination of the DNA.

It is worth noting that DNA forms the basic building block of cells genetically. In the development of a child, the rapid growth of the placenta to play its role in child growth is enhanced. This makes the growth of the child rapid. Preeclampsia, a complication that affects both the mother and the child is reduced by consistent intake of folic acids as recommended. Children may also be born with a low weight if their mothers did not take adequate folic acids (Sneyd, 2000. P. 65). The rate at which the fetus grows may also be retarded.

Women who are at great risk of being affected include those whose partners have a neural tube defect, those with diabetes, those with a history of being affected by NTD, and those who are from a lineage that has the effects. The deficiency of folic acid may lead to high chances of children being affected by other defects (Neustaedter, 2010. P. 29). These defects may include cleft palate, particular heart defects, and cleft lip. Some symptoms are associated with a lack of enough folic acids. They include among others peripheral neuropathy, diarrhea, various cognitive declines, swollen tongue, headaches, pregnancy complications, irritability, and mouth ulcers. Pregnancy-related complications include placental abruption, increased blood levels of homocysteine, and pre-eclampsia. The negative effect of these complications is that they may cause instant abortion.

Discussion

Folate supplements should be used in commercial foods that are used during preconception and early pregnancy periods. Statistics from accredited organizations such as the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) show that women who consume folic acids following the prescriptions cut the risk of their children being affected by a percentage as high as seventy (Spreen, 2000. P. 27). Adequate intake of folic acids is essential for the speedy development of the child because it is responsible for the quick growth of the cells.

It is also important to mention that folic acid protects the unborn when the mother gets sick, is a smoker, and when she is on different medications following prescriptions from a doctor. Folate plays a big role in the stabilization of pregnancy in the following ways. It aids in the implantation, maturation of the oocyte, and placentation. All these functions lower the levels of subfertility.

The opponents of this program hold that the addition of folic supplements to the foods that are commercially produced for pregnant mothers increases the chances of the child contracting diseases such as diabetes type 2 when they grow to become adults. These claims have, however, not been tested and thus cannot be substantiated (Littwack, 2008. P. 72). It can only be recommended that they be investigated further. Depression is one condition that pregnant mothers should be kept away from. Taking folic acids is said to be associated with reducing depression. This is a very important reason that should be considered to allow the foods to be added folate supplements.

Summary and Recommendations

It is clear from the analysis above that adding folic acids to foods is necessary for pregnant mothers. The merits range from the stability of the pregnancy to the development of the child both before and after birth. It is recommended that the company should consider implementing the project so that its products will include folate (Smith, 1996. P. 39). The company should take the initiative to confirm what the health practitioners recommend and the type of foods to be included. This will be crucial because most modern mothers have turned to get most of their requirements from products that can be commercially available.

Today mothers work and the company will be strategically placed if its products will include folic acids this will make mothers get them easily. Mothers do not have enough time to get folate which is the natural form of folic acids from the farms because they are very busy. Providing the same in foods will be very important. Maintaining the lives of consumers is one of the duties of the company. Folic acids work a lot towards this and must be included in the foods.

List of References

Littwack, G 2008, Folic acid and folates, Elsevier/Academic Press, London.

Neustaedter, R 2010, The holistic baby guide: alternative care for common health problems, New Harbinger Publications Oakland, CA.

Smith, H 1996, How to rear a successful child, Evans and Co, New York.

Sneyd, W 2000, Holistic parenting: raising children to a new physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being, Keats Pub Los Angeles.

Spreen, N. 2000, Folic acid: the essential B vitamin that prevents birth defects and promotes optimal health, Woodland Pub, Utah.

Spreen, N 2000, Smart medicine for healthier living, Avery Pub. Group, New York.

Zand, J, Rountree, B., & Walton, R 2003, Smart medicine for a healthier child: a practical A-to-Z reference to natural and conventional treatments for infants and children, Avery, New York.

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Folate: The Case for and Against

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