Folic acid is found in wheat germs, soy beans, green vegetable, and whole grain, to name some examples. However, the human body cannot utilize folic acid from food as well as from synthetically manufactured folic acid. In addition, many folic acid compounds are sensitive to light, heat, or oxygen. As a result, a major part of the folic acid can be lost during cooking. To reduce the widespread folic acid deficiency, synthetic folic acid is often added to things like cooking salt.
Folic acid deficiency can become a problem particularly during pregnancy. Because the healthy development and growth of the baby require sufficient quantities of the vitamin. This additional demand can hardly be covered with a diet rich in folic acid alone. Expectant mothers are, therefore, advised to take a daily dose of a folic acid preparation as a supplement. An insufficient supply of folic acid would create an elevated risk of developmental disorders for the unborn – particularly the spinal cord, the lip-cleft palate, and damages to the nervous system.
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