When it comes to nutrients, they are essential in supporting growth, repairing tissues, regulating bodily processes, and providing energy, which is crucial for sustaining life and promoting proper physical and mental development. Folate, or vitamin B9, is one such important nutrient. Low levels of this important vitamin can disrupt healthy functioning of the body, leading to low energy and even extreme tiredness. In an interaction with the OnlyMyHealth team, Dr Rajeev Gupta, Director, Internal Medicine, CK Birla Hospital, Delhi, explains why that happens.
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Role Of Folate Or Vitamin B9
“Folate aids in the formation, healthy growth and functioning of Red Blood Cells (RBC), saud Dr Gupta, adding, “Another type of the vitamin, called folic acid, is crucial during the early stages of pregnancy for the development of brain and spine, which is why low levels can cause complications in pregnancy.” Research has found lack of folate causes a number of pregnancy-related complications, including placenta abruptio, spontaneous abortion, neural tube defects, and severe language deficits in the offspring.
According to the doctor, folate deficiency can also cause anaemia which results in low oxygen levels in blood affecting the function of RBCs. Anaemia itself is a medical condition characterised by a deficiency of red blood cells or haemoglobin in the blood. Haemoglobin is a protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body.
An estimated 40% of children (6–59 months of age), 37% of pregnant women, and 30% of women (15–49 years of age) are anaemic worldwide, as per the World Health Organization (WHO).
Other effects of folate deficiency include heart and blood vessel disease, stroke, cancer, depression, and dementia. Certain food items such as dark green leafy vegetables, citrus fruits like orange, lemon, strawberries and many others.
Symptoms Of Folate Deficiency
Common symptoms of folate deficiency include:
- Fatigue
- Weakness
- Irritability
- Grey hair
- Shortness of breath
- Dizziness
- Nausea
- Diarrhoea
- Pale skin
- Confusion
- Difficulty in focusing
- Mouth ulcers
- Tender and red tongue
- Weight loss
- Depression
Why Folate Deficiency Leads To Excessive Tiredness?
Low levels of folate deficiency can lead to excessive tiredness and fatigue. Dr Gupta explained, “In case of folate deficiency, the oxygen supply to RBCs reduces, which leads to lack of haemoglobin in the blood. Lack of oxygen and haemoglobin in blood results in anaemia which ultimately leads to iron deficiency in the body. As a result, the body fails to produce enough haemoglobin. Feeling exhausted and tired most of the time is a major symptom of and result of iron deficiency which links to folate deficiency.”
“Folate or vitamin B9 plays a crucial role in production of energy and regulating the healthy function of the body. Folate also helps in the breaking down of carbohydrates, which is a major source of energy for the body. When the body is deficient in folate, lesser carbohydrates are synthesised. Therefore, the energy level remains low,” he added.
How To Treat
The most common treatment of folate deficiency is folic acid supplements followed by a healthy diet that includes food items, such as green leafy vegetables, citrus fruits, banana, melon, legumes, poultry, pork, eggs, beans, mushrooms, and many others, advises Dr Gupta. “A diet rich in vitamin B9 and vitamin B complex can assure that a person has an adequate amount of folate in their body,” he concluded, adding, “Vitamin B9 or complex supplements can be taken as per the prescription of the doctor. Doctors can diagnose and prescribe the amount of supplement required by the person.”