Folic Acid Deficiency: 11 Indicators That Your Body Requires More Folic Acid

At every family dinner, there's often a sibling who is overlooked by the parents, taken for granted to the point where their presence goes unnoticed, yet their absence weighs on everyone's conscience.

Similarly, Vitamin B9, or Folic Acid, plays an analogous role in our bodies, akin to the unacknowledged sibling at family gatherings. 'Folic Acid' may not be a focus during our healthier days, but it performs countless essential functions in building various vital organs and sustaining our bodies through strenuous and busy times.

A deficiency in folic acid, medically known as 'Folate Deficiency,' can have serious consequences, even though it is naturally found in many common foods like citrus juices and dark leafy vegetables.

For those who rely on junk food, a lack of Folate can escalate into a significant health issue if not addressed promptly.

Folate Deficiency is often overlooked due to its subtle symptoms, which are easily mistaken for other conditions.

Therefore, it is crucial to educate ourselves about the signs that signal a severe need for Folic Acid in our bodies. 

Here are the signs that indicate your body requires more Folic Acid:

The human body subtly signals a lack of folic acid, which can often be misinterpreted as stress-related issues rather than investigating the root cause. 

In today's world, maintaining a balanced diet is challenging and often disregarded due to the perceived effort and cost involved.

Nevertheless, a deficiency in folic acid can lead to significant distress, misleading individuals to overlook the true issue, resulting in unresolved health problems.

A shortage of folic acid can lead to both mental and physical health issues that, if ignored, can dominate one's life. Let's take a closer look at this:

1. Cognitive Problems:

Rarely do we attribute our mental health issues to a deficiency in a single vitamin, yet folic acid often plays a crucial role in influencing our cognitive functions in daily life.

Folic acid is vital for the proper functioning of the central nervous system. Consequently, a deficiency in folic acid can lead to depression, weakened memory, and significantly impaired concentration.

The impact of folic acid on the central nervous system is so significant that a prolonged inadequate intake can be a primary cause of dementia or Alzheimer's disease.

While mental health issues require careful and cautious treatment, the role of a balanced diet, including adequate folic acid, should not be underestimated.

Among the various vitamins, folic acid is a key player in the functioning of our nervous system.

2. Body Ache:

In addition to cognitive problems, a deficiency in folic acid may also be responsible for regular headaches, which might be mistakenly attributed to sleep issues or stress.

A lack of folic acid can disrupt the oxygen supply to the brain, leading to severe headaches as the brain's arteries swell.

Furthermore, an inadequate oxygen supply can cause pain in other body parts, such as leg cramps.

3. Shortness of Breath:

The delivery of oxygen to our brain and various body parts is also directly connected to our lungs. When folic acid supply is disrupted, it may result in symptoms like shortness of breath or chest tightness.

Typically, shortness of breath alone is not seen as a significant indicator of folic acid deficiency. Nevertheless, if it occurs alongside other symptoms, it should be addressed as a potential sign of folic acid deficiency in the body.

4. Stomach Issues:

An upset stomach is unwelcome in anyone's life. Severe digestive issues, such as stomach pain, diarrhea, vomiting, or nausea, are not just indicators of junk food consumption but also a warning to increase the intake of folic acid-rich foods daily.

Folic acid is directly involved in resolving digestive problems, and incorporating the correct amount of it in our diet can easily prevent these issues.

If neglected, this can result in significant weight loss over a few months.

5. Weakness and Sore Mouth:

Weakness and a sore mouth may seem like vague symptoms, yet they are significant indicators of folic acid deficiency in our body.

Folic acid is crucial for synthesizing hemoglobin, which maintains our energy levels. A deficiency can lead to fatigue and pale skin.

Moreover, a frequent sore mouth is a clear sign of folic acid deficiency, often resulting in a sore mouth and a swollen tongue.

6. Loss of Taste:

A consistent lack of folic acid can eventually deactivate the papillae, or taste receptors, on our tongue, rendering us unable to taste food.

The first symptom of folate deficiency is tongue swelling, followed by a loss of taste sensation.

7. Hand Numbness:

Hand numbness, or a persistent tingling sensation in the hands, is a prominent sign of folate deficiency that is often overlooked.

This numbness can also affect the feet and other extremities.

Although strokes are commonly associated with numbness of body parts, folic acid deficiency may also play a significant role.

8. Glossitis:

Glossitis, characterized by tongue swelling, can result from prolonged neglect of folic acid intake.

It may develop in cases of megaloblastic anemia, which is also linked to folic acid deficiency. Glossitis causes the tongue to swell abnormally and become sore.

9. Grey Hair:

Discovering grey hair at a young age is often associated with liver issues, but a deficiency in folic acid could be the real culprit. A lack of folic acid can quickly lead to greying hair, and if the deficiency persists, the change may become permanent.

10. Growth Problems:

Folic acid is crucial for growth hormones in our body and plays a significant role in development, particularly for fetuses.

Therefore, it is strongly recommended that pregnant women increase their folic acid intake to prevent folate deficiency in their child.

11. Tinnitus and Palpitation:

Tinnitus, the perception of noise or ringing originating within the body, can lead to extreme OCD behaviors and even schizophrenia.

A deficiency in folate can also cause palpitations, which in turn may lead to various cognitive issues, including General Anxiety Disorder (GAD).

Sources of Folic Acid:

Many foods naturally contain folate, yet folic acid, the form added to foods and supplements, is absorbed more efficiently. In January 1998, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration mandated that food manufacturers fortify commonly consumed foods such as breads, cereals, pasta, rice, and other grain products with folic acid to decrease the incidence of neural tube defects. 

This initiative has contributed to a 100 mcg/day increase in the average intake of folic acid. Notable sources of folate include:

• Dark green leafy vegetables (e.g., turnip greens, spinach, romaine lettuce, asparagus, Brussels sprouts, broccoli)
• Beans
• Peanuts
• Sunflower seeds
• Fresh fruits and fruit juices
• Whole grains
• Liver
• Seafood
• Eggs
• Fortified foods and supplements