What should I eat if I have folate deficiency?
Folate-deficiency anemia is the lack of folic acid in the blood. Folic acid is a B vitamin that helps your body make red
blood cells. If you don’t have enough red blood cells, you have anemia. Red blood cells carry oxygen to all parts of your body. When you have anemia, your blood can’t bring enough oxygen to all your tissues and organs. Without enough oxygen, your body can’t work as well as it should. Low levels of folic acid can cause megaloblastic anemia. With this condition, red blood cells are larger than normal. There are fewer of these cells. They are also oval-shaped, not round. Sometimes these
red blood cells don’t live as long as normal red blood cells. You can develop folate-deficiency anemia if:
Some babies are born unable to absorb folic acid. This can lead to megaloblastic anemia. With this condition, red blood cells are larger than normal. They also have a different shape. Early treatment is needed to prevent problems such as poor reasoning and learning. Who is at risk for folate-deficiency anemia?You are more likely to have this type of anemia if you:
What are the symptoms of folate-deficiency anemia?Symptoms may include:
The symptoms of folate-deficiency anemia may look like other blood conditions or health problems. Always see your healthcare provider for a diagnosis. How is folate-deficiency anemia diagnosed?Your healthcare provider may think you have this type of anemia after taking your medical history and doing a physical exam. You may have several blood tests to confirm the diagnosis. You may also have a barium study if a digestive problem is the cause. How is folate-deficiency anemia treated?Your healthcare provider will figure out the best treatment based on:
Treatment may include:
You may need to take folic acid supplements for at least 2 to 3 months. These may be pills or shots (injections). Eating foods high in folic acid and cutting your alcohol intake are also important. If a digestive tract problem causes your anemia, your provider may treat that first. What are the complications of folate-deficiency anemia?Folate-deficiency anemia during pregnancy may cause a neural tube defect. This is when the brain or spinal cord doesn’t develop normally. It can cause death before or soon after birth. Or it may cause paralysis of the legs. Key points about folate-deficiency anemia
Next stepsTips to help you get the most from a visit to your healthcare provider:
How can I raise my folate levels quickly?Foods that contain high amounts of folate include:. leafy, green vegetables, such as broccoli and spinach.. Brussels sprouts.. citrus.. fruits, such as bananas and melons.. tomato juice.. beans.. Which food is highest in folate?Spinach, liver, asparagus, and brussels sprouts are among the foods with the highest folate levels.
What should I take if my folate is low?Folic acid tablets are used to restore folate levels. These usually need to be taken for 4 months. In some cases, improving your diet can help treat the condition and prevent it coming back. Vitamin B12 is found in meat, fish, eggs, dairy products, yeast extract (such as Marmite) and specially fortified foods.
Which fruit is highest in folate?Oranges. Citrus fruits are especially rich in folate. Just one orange holds between 40 and 50 mcg, about ten percent of your daily value. A glass of orange juice can contain even more, especially if it has been fortified with folic acid.
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