Order Folic Acid Pathway Kit

Folic acid is the synthetic form of folate, a water-soluble B-vitamin (Vitamin B9) essential for numerous bodily functions, particularly in DNA synthesis, repair, and methylation, and in cell division and growth.

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Deficiency Effects
System Affected Symptoms/Consequences
Hematologic Megaloblastic anemia, fatigue, pallor
Neurological (in fetus) Neural tube defects (e.g., spina bifida, anencephaly)
Cardiovascular Elevated homocysteine (linked to heart disease)
Gastrointestinal Glossitis, poor appetite

Biological Functions

Nucleotide synthesis

(especially thymidine and purines)

Amino acid metabolism

(conversion of homocysteine to methionine)

Red blood cell formation

Fetal neural tube development

Sources

  • Natural Folate: Leafy greens, legumes, citrus fruits, liver
  • Folic Acid (Synthetic): Fortified cereals, flour, supplements

Recommended Intake

  • Adults: 400 mcg/day
  • Pregnant women: 600 mcg/day
  • Lactating women: 500 mcg/day

Clinical Uses

  • Prenatal supplements – to prevent neural tube defects
  • Anemia treatment – especially megaloblastic anemia
  • Homocysteine reduction – in cardiovascular risk management
  • Adjunct therapy in methotrexate use – to mitigate side effects

Biochemical Pathways

Folic acid is converted into:

  • Dihydrofolate (DHF) → then Tetrahydrofolate (THF)
  • THF serves as a carrier of one-carbon units in:
    1. DNA synthesis (thymidylate synthase)
    2. Methionine regeneration from homocysteine (via methyl-THF)