Micronutrient Deficiency Test – Wellness Spa
Folic Acid : Do You Have a Micronutrient Deficiency?
Micronutrients are nutrients that your body needs but cannot produce on its own, such as vitamin D and folic acid. Folic acid is necessary for the development of a healthy fetus, so maintaining a proper diet with folic acid consumption is crucial. Micronutrients are very important in achieving optimal health, but it’s not always easy to get them through food alone. This article will give you some insight into deficiencies, how they can impact your health and how important is to get a micronutrient deficiency test.
What is a Micronutrient?
A micronutrient is a nutrient found in small amounts that are essential to human health. The three major groups of micronutrients are minerals, vitamins, and antioxidants. Folic acid is a type of vitamin that helps form the neural tube, helps prevent birth defects of the brain and spine, and helps keep the blood vessels healthy. Folic acid is added to flour and can be found in green leafy vegetables, enriched cereals, and certain types of soybean and rice.
How much folic acid do I need?
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that all pregnant women consume 400 micrograms (mcg) of folic acid every day. For women who are not pregnant, CDC recommends at least 400 mcg per day.
The Importance of Folic Acid
Folic acid is a water soluble vitamin found in leafy green vegetables, legumes and nuts. It is also found in fortified foods and supplements. Folic acid is important for pregnant women, as it helps form the neural tube during early development. Folic acid can also help prevent major birth defects of the brain and spine. Folic Acid aids in making healthy new cells, so it is an important nutrient for everyone whether by dietary intake or nutritional supplement. Additionally, folic acid can protect against heart disease, certain types of cancer, and cognitive decline in older adults.
How many people are deficient in folic acid?
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately 20% of American adults are deficient in folate, which is a type of vitamin. Folic acid is important because it helps form the neural tube and can help prevent major birth defects in a baby’s brain and spine. Folate can also help reduce the risk of some cancers.
The National Institutes of Health recommend that women who are pregnant or trying to get pregnant take 400 micrograms (mcg) of folic acid every day. For men, the recommendation is 400 mcg every day, although the CDC notes that most men don’t need to worry about folate deficiency.
People who are at risk for folate deficiency include: women who are pregnant or trying to get pregnant; women who are breastfeeding; men who have a partner who is pregnant or breastfeeding; people with a history of colorectal cancer; people who have had a blood transfusion or organ transplant; people with HIV/AIDS; and people older than 65 years.
Symptoms of a Deficiency
If you are not getting the recommended 400 micrograms of folate per day, you may start to experience some symptoms. These might include:
- Nausea and vomiting
- Lack of Energy
- Mouth Ulcers
- Anemia
- Depression and mood changes
- Unusual bleeding or bruising. If you are unsure whether or not you have a folate deficiency, Rockwall Complete Wellness offers Micronutrient Deficiency Testing to help pinpoint the nutrients lacking.
How to get Folic Acid
Folic acid is a water soluble B vitamin and can be found in leafy green vegetables, legumes, nuts, seeds, and fortified foods. It is important to get enough folate because it can help to prevent birth defects of the brain and spine.
The recommended daily intake for folate is 400 micrograms. The National Academy of Sciences recommends that pregnant women take 600 micrograms of folate per day. Folic acid can be found in many fortified foods including prenatal vitamins, cereal, breads and pastas.
Micronutrient Deficiency Testing
With all the processed foods we eat nowadays, it’s no surprise that many of us are deficient in certain micronutrients. One such nutrient is folate, which is important for the development of the neural tube and for keeping your blood cells healthy. If you’re considering taking a folic acid supplement to address a suspected deficiency, be sure to speak with your doctor first as there are some potential side effects associated with supplementation.
Once you take a micronutrient deficiency test, you can start treating the problem by adding the vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants you are lacking into your diet. You should begin to gain more energy, immunity, stronger bones, balanced mood and mind, weight balance, healthier skin, and more resistance to aging diseases. Adding more micronutrients to your diet are believed to help your body resist Alzheimer’s, arthritis, cancer, heart issues, stroke, dementia, high blood pressure, diabetes, osteoporosis, and infections. Micronutrients are not a cure for these diseases, but they are believed to help your body put some resistance up against these diseases later in your life.
Book for Micronutrient Deficiency Test Today at Rockwall Complete Wellness!
Are you experiencing symptoms of a micronutrient deficiency? If so, Rockwall Complete Wellness may be able to help. Our team of experts can book your micronutrient testing today and determine if you are deficient in any of the following: iron, magnesium, folate, vitamin B12, or iodine. Testing can also help detect deficiencies in other areas of your health.
You may be surprised to learn that nearly everyone has a micronutrient deficiency. Up to 50% of the population may have an undetected deficiency in one or more essential vitamins, minerals, and trace elements. If you’re not sure if you have a deficiency, book for micronutrient deficiency test today at Rockwall Complete Wellness!
There are many different types of micronutrient deficiencies, but the most common are vitamin B12, iron, zinc, and copper. These deficiencies can cause serious health problems if not treated, so it’s important to get tested and treated if you are deficient.
If you’re not sure if you have a deficiency, book your micronutrient testing today at Rockwall Complete Wellness! We can test for over 30 different micronutrients and help you find the solution for your specific health condition. To learn more about our micronutrient testing services, or to book a test today, Give us a call at Rockwall Complete Wellness at (972) 771-8900 today to get started on a happier, healthier you!