Folic Acid

Mandatory/voluntary fortified foods: Synthetic folic acid is added to cereal products (such as flour and breakfast cereals), dairy products (such as milk and yogurt), and infant formula. This compensates for insufficient intake or loss of natural folic acid in the daily diet and prevents widespread folic acid deficiency.

Foods for special medical purposes: High-folate formula foods are provided for people with weak digestive and absorption functions, such as those with gastrointestinal diseases or in the post-operative recovery period, to meet their special nutritional needs.

Prevention of fetal neural tube defects: This is the most critical use of folic acid. Women planning pregnancy need to take 400 μg of folic acid daily from 3 months before conception to 3 months after conception. This can significantly reduce the incidence of fetal neural tube malformations such as spina bifida and anencephaly, and it is a globally recognized core measure for prenatal care.

Treatment of folate-deficiency anemia: It is used to treat megaloblastic anemia caused by folic acid deficiency, which is common in people with malnutrition, long-term alcoholism, and gastrointestinal absorption disorders. Supplementing folic acid promotes the normal production of red blood cells and improves anemia symptoms.

Auxiliary improvement of hyperhomocysteinemia: Folic acid participates in the metabolism of homocysteine, reduces blood homocysteine levels, and helps prevent cardiovascular diseases (such as atherosclerosis).

Others: In cancer treatment, folic acid can act as a carrier for "folate receptor-targeted drugs", helping drugs act accurately on cancer cells and improve treatment efficacy.

It is added to the feed of livestock, poultry, and aquatic animals to prevent problems caused by folic acid deficiency, such as anemia, growth retardation, and reduced reproductive capacity. Especially for young animals like chicks and piglets, it can significantly improve their survival rate and growth rate.