Uses of Folic Acid: Overview, Questions, Preparation

Acids, Bases and Salts ( Acids, Bases and Salts )

Updated on Jun 30, 2021 04:43 IST

Folic acid is a B vitamin that is complex. It is also known as vitamin B9 or folate. B9, along with its other forms, is responsible for maintaining infants' brain health. It helps avoid a lack of hearing and produces red blood cells as well. It is an integral part of nucleic acids and of all genetic materials. It is used in everyday life for different reasons, so let's see some of the uses of folate.

Folic Acid Applications

Folate is naturally seen in citrus fruits and also in dark green vegetables. However, folic acid is a type of vitamin B9 that is man-made. It is essential for the processing of genetic material, the growth of the human body and red blood synthesis. The four major uses of folic acid in everyday life are described below. 

  • For pregnancy 
  • Benefits of folic acid for men 
  • Benefits of folic acid on the skin 
  • Advantages of folic acid in hair

Skin Benefits from Folic Acid

It assists in retaining the natural elegance of the skin. It acts as an anti-ageing agent, a moisturiser, and an antioxidant. The skin consistency improves as it is added. Dealing with acne and dead cells. Thus, it essentially extracts dead tissue, leaving the skin intact with a natural glow. 

Hair Benefits from Folic Acid

It plays a major role in hair development. This aids with the blood supply phase in the scalp. Folic acid or folate deficiency can lead to premature greying of hair. Often, hair loss can be caused.

Other advantages are that it improves digestion, prevents obesity, can avoid diabetes, cancer and loss of memory, treats different diseases such as gum infection; it is healthy for the heart, etc.

Details of Folic Acid in Class 10

This concept is taught under the chapter Acids, Bases, And Salts. In this, you will learn about applications and uses of folic acid in various fields. This chapter holds a weightage of 4 marks in the final exam.

Illustrated Examples

  • Which is the best source of folic acid? 

Whole grains, such as leafy green vegetables, are the healthiest dietary sources of vitamin B9. Methyl folate is an excellent alternative to folic acid if you have to take vitamins.

  • Does folic acid make you sleepy? 

One of the B vitamins is folic acid, and it makes the body produce new cells, including new red blood cells. To hold oxygen, the body needs red blood cells. Hence making you sleepy.

  • How much folic acid are you supposed to take daily? 

For adults, the suggested daily dose of folate is 400 micrograms (mcg).

FAQs on Folic Acid

Q. What are the advantages of folic acid intake?

A. Folic acid helps to grow and sustain new cells in the body, and also helps to avoid DNA changes that can lead to cancer.

Q. For a woman, what does folic acid do?

A. If a woman has enough folic acid in her body during conception, it will help protect the brain and spine of her baby from having significant birth defects like neural tube defects, or NTDs, are such birth defects.

Q. Who needs folic acid?

A. In addition to eating food containing folate from a diverse diet, the CDC encourages all women of reproductive age to take 400 micrograms of folic acid each day to help avoid some severe birth defects of the baby's brain and spine. 

Q. Does hair grow with folic acid?

A. For healthy cell formation, folic acid is primarily responsible. These cells are those present both within the tissues of your skin and in your hair and nails.

Q. Is folic acid harmful?

A. Excessive consumption of folic acid supplements may improve the ability of cancer cells to develop and spread, but further study is needed. This could be especially damaging to people with a history of cancer.
qna

Acids, Bases and Salts Exam

Student Forum

chatAnything you would want to ask experts?
Write here...