Folic Acid and Liquid Vitamins

The terms folic acid and folate are often used interchangeable for this water-soluble B-complex vitamin.

Folic acid, the more stable form of the two forms, and its presence occurs only rarely in foods or the human body, but it is the form most used in supplements and fortified foods.

Folate coenzymes are required for the metabolism of several important amino acids.

For example, alcoholism is associated with low dietary intake and diminished absorption, which can lead to folate deficiency.

Because of the diminished absorption associated with alcoholism, and the superior absorption ratio of liquid vitamins, this type of supplementation compared to regular pill or capsule forms are much more effective.

Additionally, pregnancy or cancer results in increased rates of cell division and metabolism, causing an increase in the body's demand for this nutrient. Rapidly dividing cells are most vulnerable to the effects of this nutrients deficiency, if the supply to the rapidly dividing cells of the bone marrow is inadequate, and blood division becomes abnormal resulting in fewer but larger red blood cells.

Fetal growth and development are characterized by widespread cell division. Adequate intake of this nutrient is also critical for DNA and RNA synthesis.

Some of other potential dangers of folate deficiency include; low levels of folate during pregnancy which have been associated with risks of premature delivery and infant birth, certain heart defects in infants, and limb malformations.

Folate-rich diets, on the other hand, have been associated with a decreased risk of cardiovascular disease.

A recent study of over 1900 Finnish males for a period of 10 years found that the study group that consumed the most dietary folate had a 55% lower risk of acute coronary events when compared the to the lesser dietary folate.

Of the three vitamins that regulate homocystenine levels, this nutrient has been shown to have the greatest effect in lowering base levels of homocystenine in the blood through rich folate foods or vitamin supplements.

LIQUID VITAMINS

The consumption of at least five servings of fruits and vegetable daily has been consistently associated with decreased incidence of cancer, but it is very difficult for the average person to consume five servings on a regular basis, another very good reason for vitamin supplementation.

Food sources that are rich in folic acid include fortified breakfast cereal, orange juice (from concentrate), spinach, asparagus, and lentils (all cooked), and garbanzo beans and lima beans, also cooked. Bread, pasta (cooked), and rice (cooked), are also very rich in this nutrient.

The principal form of supplementary folate is folic acid.

It is available in single ingredient and combination products such as B-complex vitamins and multi-vitamins.

There are several very good brands available in today’s market including the following:

Sources of Folic Acid

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