Folic Acid Deficiency
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The following are the groups who may be at a high risk of having a folic acid (folate) deficiency:
- People over 65 years
People who are over 65 years may be absorbing less of the folic acid (folate) and the other B vitamins from their foods and also may not be eating properly, so could become deficient. - People taking certain medications
People taking certain medications could become deficient in folic acid (folate) because the medications could be causing the folic acid (folate) to be less absorbed, less effective and less available, so supplementation may be required. - People who abuse alcohol
People who drink excessive amounts of alcohol can become deficient in folic acid (folate) because the excessive amounts of alcohol can cause the folic acid (folate) to be less absorbed and have less effectiveness. In addition, these people may not be eating properly so may not get enough folic acid (folate) in their diet anyway. - People who smoke cigarettes
People who smoke cigarettes are usually low on all of the B vitamins and B Vitamin co-factors, including folic acid.
People who are over 65 years may be absorbing less of the folic acid (folate) and the other B vitamins from their foods
- Women taking oral contraceptives
Research shows that women taking oral contraceptives can become deficient in folic acid (folate), especially in the cervix, as this medication interferes with the absorption of folic acid (folate), so supplementation is usually advised. - Women who are breastfeeding
Some women who are breastfeeding may require extra folic acid because the baby requires so much of it from the mother's intake (due to the baby's rapid growth and development) and if the mother is not eating enough foods rich in folic acid (folate), then both mother and child may become deficient in this important vitamin. - Women who are pregnant or trying to conceive
Women who are pregnant or trying to conceive have to ensure they get enough folic acid (folate) in their diet due to this vitamins' effect on reducing many types of birth defects in the growing foetus (including neural tube defects). Women who are trying to conceive and those who are already pregnant need more of this vitamin than women who are not pregnant or not trying to conceive. Recommended daily intake and tolerable upper limit of folic acid (folate) for pregnant women.