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Folic acid is a synthetic derivative of folate and is acquired by dietary supplementation. [25] Multi-vitamin dietary supplements contain folic acid as well as other B vitamins. Non-prescription folic acid is available as a dietary supplement in some countries, and some countries require the fortification of wheat flour, corn meal or rice with ...
Folinic acid, also known as leucovorin, is a medication used to decrease the toxic effects of methotrexate and pyrimethamine. [2] [3] It is also used in combination with 5-fluorouracil to treat colorectal cancer and pancreatic cancer, may be used to treat folate deficiency that results in anemia, and methanol poisoning.
One cause of cerebral folate deficiency is a mutation in a gene responsible for folate transport, specifically FOLR1. [ 2 ] [ 4 ] This is inherited in an autosomal recessive manner. [ 2 ] Other causes appear to be Kearns–Sayre syndrome [ 5 ] and autoantibodies to the folate receptor .
"[W]e suggest that oral doses of both folic acid (800 μg/(mcg) daily) and vitamin B12 (1 mg daily) should be tried to improve treatment outcome in depression." [99] [100] Long chain fatty acids: higher levels of omega-6 and lower levels of omega-3 fatty acids has been associated with depression and behavioral change. [101] [102] [103]
Folate in the form of folic acid is used to treat anemia caused by folate deficiency. [3] Folic acid is also used as a supplement by women during pregnancy to reduce the risk of neural tube defects (NTDs) in the baby. [3] [10] NTDs include anencephaly and spina bifida, among other defects.
The biology of depression is the attempt to identify a biochemical origin of depression, as opposed to theories that emphasize psychological or situational causes. Scientific studies have found that different brain areas show altered activity in humans with major depressive disorder (MDD) . [ 1 ]
One study in 184 premature infants, reported that individuals given monthly vitamin B 12 injections (100 μg) or taking supplements of vitamin B 12 and folic acid (100 μg/day), had higher haemoglobin concentrations after 10–12 weeks, compared to those only taking folic acid or those taking no vitamin B 12 injections. [87]
Both high-folate diets and supplemental folic acid may help reduce the toxic side-effects of low-dose methotrexate without decreasing its effectiveness. [ 8 ] [ 9 ] Anyone taking low-dose methotrexate for the health problems listed above should consult with a physician about the need for a folic acid supplement.