Symptoms Of Folic Acid Deficiency
Body Pains
In severe cases of anemia caused by folate deficiency, Our brain receives less oxygen than it usually receives. In response, the arteries in the brain start to swell up and give us a signal of a headache.
However, the brain is not the only organ that lacks oxygen; therefore, one may also experience pain in other parts of the body with an iron deficiency, especially in the chest and legs.
Cognitive Problems
Folic acid is very important to the central nervous system. If our body does not have this vitamin, we may experience depression, concentration problems, and feel forgetful and irritable.
If it is left untreated, an insufficient intake of folic acid can also increase the risk of developing serious brain disorders, such as dementia or Alzheimer’s disease.
Shortness Of Breath
If someone is out of breath while doing things that one normally does without any problems, it means that the oxygen levels are low because our body does not have red blood cells.
Along with this symptom, someone may also experience an increase in heart rate and feel dizzy or even fainting.
PALE SKIN
Hemoglobin, a protein contained in red blood cells, is responsible for the transport of oxygen from the lungs to all the tissues in the body.
When our body lacks folic acid, it doesn’t have enough red blood cells (means less hemoglobin) to supply the internal organs of the body with the necessary amount of oxygen.
This can cause the body to feel muscle weakness, fatigue, numbness in the hands and feet, and pale skin.
Mouth Sores And Tongue Swelling
These symptoms generally occur when the lack of folic acid is quite severe, so one should not neglect them. The tongue may appear swollen, red, or shiny, usually around the tip and edges first.
Due to decrease in red blood cells, you may also experience pain when swallowing or suffer from tongue pain and stomatitis.
Digestive problems
Gastrointestinal symptoms like feeling of nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, and diarrhea after meals may be the first most important signs that your body does not have folic acid.
Furthermore, in severe cases, you may also suffer from anorexia, which generally leads to significant weight loss.
How to treat folic acid deficiency
The easiest way to resolve folate deficiency is through balancing diet. To maintain proper folic status, you should eat more dark green vegetables, like broccoli, Brussels sprouts, spinach, and asparagus.
As for other foods, it’s best to consume citrus, beans, mushrooms, and whole grains regularly.
If you feel any of these symptoms, the first thing you should do is consult your doctor to confirm the diagnosis. Or otherwise you should start to change dietary habits.
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