Vitamin B9 (Folate) Deficiency

Folate (vitamin B9), or folic acid, is an essential nutrient for health, and its deficiency could lead to serious complications.

Folate (vitamin B9) deficiency

Folate (vitamin B9) is essential to make new red blood cells and DNA, and it’s also fundamental in pregnancy because it supports the growth and development of the fetus and protects from birth defects.

Folic acid is the synthetic type of folate (vitamin B9).

Causes of folate (vitamin B9) deficiency

• Not consuming enough folate from food, which is found in leafy greens, citrus fruits, legumes, nuts, seafood, eggs, poultry, meat, and dairy products, or folic acid, which is found in some types of food that are fortified with folic acid or nutritional supplements.
• Absorption problems, like in celiac disease or Crohn’s disease.
• Overcooking vegetables and fruits.
• Excessive alcohol consumption.
• Having hemolytic anemia.
• Kidney dialysis.
• Some anti-seizure and ulcerative colitis drugs.

Symptoms of folate (vitamin B9) deficiency

• Fatigue.
• Weakness.
• Mouth ulcers.
• Red and tender tongue.
• Reduced sense of taste.
• Trouble focusing.
• Confusion.
• Memory loss.
• Muscle weakness.
• Weight loss.
• Folate deficiency could lead to serious complications, the most significant of which are anemia and birth defects (like spina bifida and anencephaly), and it could increase the risk of placental abruption and preterm birth. Other possible complications include infertility, cardiovascular disease, Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, depression, and certain cancers.

Diagnosis of folate (vitamin B9) deficiency

• Medical history.
• Blood test.

Treatment of folate (vitamin B9) deficiency

• Folic acid supplements.
• The risk of folate (vitamin B9) deficiency can be reduced by following a healthy diet that includes foods that contain folate.