Folic acid facts for kids
Folate, also known as folic acid or vitamin B9, is a very important B vitamin. Your body needs it to stay healthy and grow. Most people should try to get about 400 micrograms of folate each day. You can get this from foods or special vitamin supplements.
Folic acid is often used as a medicine to help people who have a type of anemia. Anemia means your blood doesn't have enough healthy red blood cells. Many countries even add folic acid to common foods like bread or cereal. This helps make sure people get enough of it, especially to help prevent serious birth defects. Getting enough folic acid can also help keep your heart and blood vessels healthy. You can take it as a pill or get it as a shot.
Why Do We Need Folic Acid?
Folic acid is super important because it helps your body make DNA and RNA. These are like the instruction manuals for your cells. It also helps your body use amino acids, which are the building blocks of proteins. All of these things are needed for your body to grow and make new cells.
Your body can't make folic acid on its own. That's why it's called an essential vitamin. You must get it from the foods you eat or from supplements.
What Happens If You Don't Get Enough?
If you don't get enough folate, you can develop something called folate deficiency. This can lead to a type of anemia where your red blood cells are too big and not enough of them.
Some signs that you might not be getting enough folate include:
- Feeling very tired
- Your heart beating too fast or fluttering
- Feeling out of breath easily
- Sores on your tongue
- Changes in the color of your skin or hair
Where Can We Find Folic Acid?
You can find folate naturally in many foods. Dark green leafy vegetables like spinach and kale are great sources. Liver is also a good source.
