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Get complete, unbiased, scientific information on FOLIC ACID, including Safety Ratings,
Effectiveness Ratings, Interaction Ratings, Lists of Ingredients and Adverse
Reactions... all from Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database | | |  |  | | |
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| Also Known As: |
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| 5'-methyltetrahydrofolate, 5'-MTHF, Acido Folico, B Complex Vitamin, Dihydrofolate, Folacin, Folate, L-methylfolate, Methylfolate, Tetrahydrofolate, Vitamin B9. |
| Scientific Name: |
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| Pteroylglutamic acid; Pteroylmonoglutamic acid; Pteroylpolyglutamate. |
| People Use This For: |
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Natural medicines are often tried for many conditions based on tradition, anecdotes, or
marketing, but not all of these uses are supported by reliable or credible scientific
research. Below is a list of some common uses for FOLIC ACID.
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of other natural medicines. Get the facts before your take it. |
Orally, folic acid is used for preventing and treating folate deficiency, megaloblastic anemia resulting from folate or vitamin B12 deficiency, megaloblastic anemia in sickle cell disease, and for folate deficiency in intestinal malabsorption or sprue. It is also used for preventing neural tube defects, reducing the risk of colorectal and cervical cancer, and preventing pregnancy loss. Folic acid is also used for hyperhomocysteinemia, coronary artery disease, fragile-X syndrome, gingival hyperplasia, memory deficit, Alzheimer's disease, age-related hearing loss, age-related macular degeneration (AMD), vitiligo, osteoporosis, restless leg syndrome, insomnia, depression, peripheral neuropathy, myelopathy, and AIDS. It is also used for reducing lometrexol and methotrexate toxicity; and for preventing signs of aging, heart attack, and stroke. Folic acid is also used for other conditions commonly associated with folate deficiency, including ulcerative colitis; liver disease; alcoholism; renal dialysis; and drug-induced deficiency related to phenytoin, primidone, barbiturates, oral contraceptives, and nitrofurantoin.
Topically, folic acid is used for treating gingival hyperplasia and gingivitis.
Parenterally, folic acid is used intramuscularly, subcutaneously, or intravenously for treating folate deficiency, particularly in patients with malabsorption or those who cannot take oral treatment. Folic acid has also been used parenterally to treat chronic fatigue syndrome.
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| Safety: |
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| Get reliable information about potential safety concerns from scientific Safety Rating. See if there are warnings against use during Pregnancy, Breast Feeding, or for Children. |
| Effectiveness: |
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| Get scientific Effectiveness Rating and see if FOLIC ACID works before selecting it. |
| Mechanism of Action: |
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| Research the pharmacology, active constituents, and a clear scientific explanation about how the natural medicine is thought to work for its medicinal uses. |
| Adverse Reactions: |
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| Get detailed information on common side effects and potentially serious adverse reaction. Find out what to expect if you select this natural product. |
| Interactions with Herbs & Supplements: |
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| Find out if FOLIC ACID is safe to take with other natural medicines or supplements or if there are potential interactions. |
| Interactions with Drugs: |
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| Find out what medications FOLIC ACID interacts with and if the interactions are mild or potentially dangerous. |
Drug Influences on Nutrient Levels and Depletion:
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SOME DRUGS CAN AFFECT FOLIC ACID LEVELS:
Get information on how drugs can affect nutrient levels and deplete FOLIC ACID. |
| Interactions with Foods: |
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| Find out if particular foods should be avoided with FOLIC ACID, Ginkgo, or if certain foods can negatively affect the product. |
| Interactions with Lab Tests: |
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| Find out if FOLIC ACID interferes with laboratory tests or could cause a diagnostic test to fail or be inaccurate. |
| Interactions with Diseases or Conditions: |
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| Find out if FOLIC ACID interferes with or could worsen any medical condition or if there are any precautions or contraindications. |
| Dosage/Administration: |
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| Get reliable information on the best dose to use based on scientific research. Products only work if taken in the correct dose. Taking a dose that is too high can increase the chance of side effects and adverse outcomes. |
| Editor's Comments: |
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| Get comments from the editors about special concerns, interesting facts, and other information. |
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