Folic Acid is an essential nutrient that is required for your body to achieve or maintain optimal health. It is important for everything from cardiovascular to central nervous system health. Folic Acid, also known as vitamin B9, is part of the B-Complex group of vitamins, and deficiency of Folic Acid is the most common deficiency of any of the B-vitamins. Folic Acid also works along with vitamin B-12 for the important task of forming red blood cells which carry oxygen to all of your body's cells.

Some of the signs and symptoms of Folic Acid deficiency you would want to be aware of would include:

*Depression- Because folic acid is such an important part in your central nervous system health, if you are deficient you may experience symptoms such as fatigue, depression or forgetfulness

*Irritability- Again associated with your central nervous system health. People that are deficient in Folic Acid often feel irritable and tense.

*High Homocysteine Levels- Working along with other B-Complex Vitamins, folic acid works to lower homocysteine levels. People with high homocysteine levels have been shown to have an increased risk of cardiovascular events such as heart attacks and strokes.

*Birth Defects and Miscarriage- Folic acid is critical in the development of your fetus. Neural Tube Defects are a devastating result of folic acid deficiency that will affect your child for the rest of its life. It is important that all women that are pregnant or trying to get pregnant take a folic acid supplement.

*Potential Involvement With Some Cancers- Some cancers have been associated with abnormally low levels of folic acid.

*Losses of Appetite or Diarrhea- Many different vitamin deficiencies have been linked to gastrointestinal problems.

It is very important to identify potential causes of a folic acid deficiency so they can be corrected!

Is your diet complete with foods that are rich in folic acid, such as spinach and other green leafy vegetables, soybeans, salmon, or orange juice?

Are you taking any prescription or over the counter drug that has been shown to either lower folic acid levels, or increase your bodies need for folic acid such as oral contraceptives, aspirin or other NSAIDS, antacids, Zantac, Prilosec, Prevacid or Metformin?

If you want to learn more about why your body needs folic acid to maintain health please visit: http://www.essential-nutrients.net/vitamin_B9.htm

If you would like to learn more about other medications that have the potential to put you at risk of other vitamin and mineral deficiencies please visit: http://www.essential-nutrients.net/

If you would like to see the full line of NutraMD products please visit: http://www.essential-nutrients.net/store/PPF/Category_ID/11/produ cts.asp

About the author:

C. Donald Ford, MD, Diplomate of the American Board Internal Medicine. Dr. Ford has practiced general internal medicine for the past 22 years. He is a native Texan and trained at Baylor University, the University of Texas Medical School at Houston, and Scott and White in Temple. He is a Clinical Assistant professor at Baylor College of Medicine. In addition to general Internal Medicine, his practice includes travel medicine, vascular disease pre