Gender | Age | Intake |
---|---|---|
0-6 months | Male | 65 mсg/day |
0-6 months | Female | 65 mсg/day |
7-12 months | Male | 80 mсg/day |
7-12 months | Female | 80 mсg/day |
1-3 years | Male | 150 mсg/day |
1-3 years | Female | 150 mсg/day |
4-8 years | Male | 200 mсg/day |
4-8 years | Female | 200 mсg/day |
9-13 years | Male | 300 mсg/day |
9-13 years | Female | 300 mсg/day |
14 years and older | Male | 400 mсg/day |
14 years and older | Female | 400 mсg/day |
Pregnant women | Female | 600 mсg/day |
Lactating women | Female | 500 mсg/day |
This vitamin, also known as folate, folacin and folic acid, is contained mostly in plants and is produced by the microflora of the intestine. Folate is found in natural sources, and folic acid is synthesized artificially. In some countries this vitamin is called Bc.
Vitamin B9 is essential for the normal growth and function of the body. It takes part in the blood formation and action of the digestive system. Folate is also necessary for producing DNA, cell division, and synthesis of amino-acids, nucleic acids, serotonin, and noradrenaline.
Folic acid has a beneficial effect on the lipometabolism in the liver, cholesterol exchange, and other important processes in the body. It improves appetite and makes the skin look healthy.
Vitamin B9 is widely used for treating and preventing numerous health conditions, such as depression, jumpy legs, memory loss, nerve pain, Alzheimer’s disease, liver disease, sleep problems, age-related hearing loss, osteoporosis, AMD, AIDS, vitiligo, muscle pain, ulcerative colitis, alcoholism, and Fragile-X syndrome.
People sometimes use it for preventing cervical cancer, heart disease, coloncancer, high homocysteine levels, and heart stroke.
Folate is efficient in reducing side effects of taking methotrexate and lometrexol.
Lack of folacin can be caused by deficit of protein and vitamins B6, C, and B12 in the diet. Liver disease, alcoholism, radiation sickness and taking antibiotics also can lead to its deficiency, characterized by apathy, depression, anemia, stomatitis, gastritis, enteretis, and stomatorrhagia.
High doses of vitamin B9 can cause rash, excitability, abdominal cramps, stomach upset, diarrhea, seizures, behavior changes, sleep disorders, confusion, nausea, skin reactions, irritability, gas, and many other side effects.
Folic acid is well-absorbed from most food sources and supplements.
Pregnant and breast-feeding women need more vitamin B9.