[india-drug] Folic acid 5mg Information (2)

["divya ganapathy" <divya_ganapathy@yahoo.com>]

Folic acid 5mg Information (2)
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Dear Mohathasim,
   
As you know supplementing with folic acid offers a wealth of benefits. Among other things, folic acid:
  ? can decrease homocysteinemia, a major risk factor for cardiovascular and other chronic diseases
? can improve endothelial function
? may contribute to the prevention of peripheral artery disease
? may improve lipid profile, may reverse depression, can boost the
 effectiveness of antidepressant therapy
? may help prevent dementia and other neuropsychiatric disorders
? prevents neural tube defects and appears to reduce the risk of some cancers, such as colon, cervical, and breast cancer, is safe and inexpensive.

Few studies conducted by Australian researchers speculated that if low-dose folic acid (200 mcg daily) has some therapeutic influence, then higher doses might be even more effective.
  In a clinical trial high-dose folic acid (5000 mcg daily) lowered plasma homocysteine by 25%.
   
  Women often become anemic during pregnancy because the demand for iron and other vitamins is increased. The mother must increase her production of red blood cells and, in addition, the fetus and placenta need their own supply of iron, which can only be obtained from the mother.
 In order to have enough red blood cells for the fetus, the body starts to produce more red blood cells and plasma. It has been calculated that the blood volume increases approximately 50 per cent during the pregnancy, although the plasma amount is disproportionately greater. This
 causes a dilution of the blood, making the hemoglobin concentration fall.  This is a normal process, with the haemoglobin concentration at its lowest between weeks 25 and 30. The pregnant woman may need additional iron supplementation.   Supplementing the diet with iron, vitamins and especially folic acid.  Taking 400 micrograms folic acid when pregnant is important to reduce the risk of having child with spina bifida. A doctor may advise taking combined iron and folic acid supplements.  There are no clinical studies conducted which shows side effects with 5mg and it is comparatively effective than 400/800mcg.
   
Thinking that highest dose may be more effective that?s why doctor prescribe 5mg folic acid along with iron supplement. 
   
Regards 
Divya
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