Folic acid is a water-soluble vitamin belonging to vitamin B9. It is a group of compounds with similar chemical structures, consisting of pyridine, p-aminobenzoic acid, and one or more L-glutamic acid conjugates. Its biologically active form is tetrahydrofolate (THFA). The molecular formula of folic acid is C19H19N7O6. Named after the abundant content in green leaves
Existing research reports indicate that folic acid plays an extremely important role in human health. Folic acid deficiency can lead to the risk of neurological malformations in newborns, thrombotic occlusive cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, anorexia and anorexia nervosa, megaloblastic anemia, senile vascular dementia, depression, and other diseases.
1. Investigation on the effect of folic acid on neonatal neural tube defects
Some scholars' research on Americans' supplementation of folic acid from diet and nutritional health care products in 2003-2006 shows that the folic acid intake of women of childbearing age must be improved. In areas with high incidence of NTDs, the daily amount of folic acid provided to pregnant women is only 100 μ g, far below the daily requirement of pregnant women.
In a study investigating the impact of dietary folate intake on blood folate levels in lactating women in Canada, it was found that the recommended daily folate intake for lactating women is 400 μ g. Folic acid plays an important role in regulating neurogenesis and programmed cell death.
The fortified supplementation of folic acid in American food has reduced the birth rate of infants with neurological deficits by 19%, but other factors cannot be ruled out as contributing to this decrease.
0.4 milligrams of folic acid is used to prevent fetal neural tube defects. The Slian Folic Acid Project has been validated through 250000 cases of Sino US cooperation in preventing neural tube defects nationwide. Expectant mothers who take 0.4 milligrams of folic acid during pregnancy can reduce the incidence of fetal neural tube defects by 85%. This result has been widely used in more than 50 countries worldwide. 5mg folic acid is used to treat female anemia, and consumers must carefully read the instructions when choosing to purchase, and choose according to different situations.
2. Research on the Effects of Folic Acid on Other Human Diseases
Folic acid not only has an effect on preventing incomplete neural closure in infants, but also plays a certain role in the prevention of some common human diseases.
3. Research on the Effects of Folic Acid on Other Diseases
The increase in plasma homocysteine concentration can lead to the occurrence of thrombotic occlusive cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, anorexia and anorexia nervosa, senile vascular dementia, depression and other diseases. Folic acid is an important cofactor in the cyclic metabolism of homocysteine. When activated, folic acid can be converted into 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate, providing a methyl group for the conversion of homocysteine to methionine. Folic acid deficiency leads to the accumulation of a large amount of homocysteine, which is excreted into the extracellular space and causes an increase in plasma homocysteine concentration, resulting in disease. Research has shown that the consumption of folate fortified foods is fundamentally related to the increase in serum folate levels in middle-aged and elderly people. Folic acid can reduce the risk of gout in people with a history of painless wind. Folic acid deficiency can cause damage to multiple systems in the body, mainly leading to colitis, chronic atrophic gastritis, and increased risk of colon and stomach cancer in the digestive system. Folic acid supplements can inhibit the recurrence rate of colorectal cancer.
Research has shown that a certain concentration of folic acid can inhibit the growth of ovarian cancer cells by affecting folate metabolism. Folic acid may enhance the cytotoxic effect of chemotherapy drugs on ovarian cancer cells, thereby increasing the sensitivity of ovarian cancer to chemotherapy.