Folic acid (vitamin B9) deficiency is still prevalent today. Even if this vitamin can be obtained easily from the foods you eat everyday, it is still highly probable that you will suffer from a serious deficiency. A deficiency could happen if you are not eating the right foods. Unhealthy lifestyle can also cause serious vitamin B9 deficiency.
So what is the simplest approach for preventing vitamin B9 deficiency? Here are some practical tips that could help you.
Know the Causes of Folic Acid Deficiency
One of the best ways to avoid vitamin B9 deficiency is to understand its causes. The major cause of B9 deficiency is improper diet. This vitamin can be found in green vegetables and fruits. So if you are not eating your greens and you seldom eat fruits, then you could suffer from a deficiency.
You have to remember that green vegetables and fruits are the best sources of folate. Unfortunately, there are so many people, especially small children, who can not tolerate vegetables. Because your diet lacks the essential vegetables, your body will not be able to absorb folate. Thus, folic acid deficiency may occur.
Another cause of vitamin B9 deficiency is alcoholism. Excessive alcohol consumption could hamper the ability of your body to absorb essential vitamins and minerals. Prolonged alcoholism may also lead to vitamin mal-absorption. It means your body does not have the ability anymore to assimilate essential folate and other vitamins and minerals.
Steps to Overcome B9 Vitamin Deficiency
If you know the major causes of folic acid deficiency, then it would be easier for you to overcome the problem. Because a deficiency could happen due to poor diet, the simplest solution is to radically improve your diet.
You need to consume green and leafy vegetables. Make sure that vegetables are always part of your meals whether as main courses or as side dishes. You also need to eat large amount of fruits and nuts in order to quickly overcome vitamin B9 deficiency. Folate is primarily available from whole foods. All you need to do is to eat foods that are rich in folic acid in order to avoid a deficiency.
You should also stop unhealthy habits such as excessive alcohol drinking and smoking. These vices could affect the efficient absorption of folic acid. If you have been diagnosed with folate deficiency, you must stop these unhealthy habits immediately.
Effects of Folic Acid Deficiency
If your body lacks folate, then you may suffer from some uncomfortable symptoms. A deficiency could also cause serious illness. One of the most common effects of folate deficiency is swollen tongue and gums. Blisters around the mouth may also appear.
Your skin will also appear pale and you could suffer from uncomfortable shortness of breath. People who are suffering from serious folate deficiency could suffer from anemia.
Folic acid deficiency is a serious condition that must be avoided. You can avoid a deficiency by eating the right foods that are rich in folate. You should also avoid unhealthy habits to allow the efficient absorption of folic acid in your body.