Deficiency of folic acid leads to a condition, megaloblastic anemia and its symptoms are fatigue, problems with memory power, a sore tongue, anemia, a situation of mental confusion where paranoid delusions is common, weakness and a shortness of breath. It is mainly because folic acid gets destroyed when its food is cooked that a person suffers from its deficiency. You can find out if you suffer from a deficiency of folic acid through a blood test.

It may be necessary to take some folic acid supplements if you suffer from some liver disease, are anemic, pregnant, breast feeding or suffering from a kidney disease. However, when taking folic acid supplements, it is necessary that a B12 deficiency be first ruled out. This is because a person suffering from B12 deficiency will not know that they are suffering from the deficiency as its symptoms are masked by the folic acid supplements.

The maximum a person may take as a folic acid supplement is 1000 micro grams a day, or according to the instructions of the health care provider. However, it should be known that some medications may interact with the folic acid supplements. These medications are medicine for epilepsy, diabetic medication, medication for the treatment of cancer and diuretics. So if you are on these medications, it is necessary to consult the doctor before starting the folic acid supplements.

Women likely to get pregnant should take 400 micro grams of folic acid every day. In addition to this, eating healthy food rich in folic acid before and during pregnancy plays a great role in preventing defects in the neural tubes of babies. So it can be seen that folic acid is a vitamin of the body that should not be taken lightly. Its deficiency in pregnancy leads to many life threatening conditions; so make it a point to check folic acid levels and to take folic acid supplements if necessary.