Years ago many women suffered in pregnancy from a variety of ailments, among them was anemia. This was simply considered one of the common problems of getting pregnant, along with the difficulties of childbirth and the fear of something being wrong with the baby. In the early nineteen thirties yeast extract was first discovered by Dr. Lucy Wills to help correct the problem of anemia in pregnant women. Soon it was found that a substance in the yeast extract was responsible for the correction and this substance was folate.
Folate and folic acid were soon found to correct anemia caused by a variety of ailments, due to its essential involvement in the creation of red blood cells.
Folic acid was found to provide many other health benefits to the human body and babies. Folic acid is involved in the replication and maintainence of DNA and RNA. These are the building blocks of life and thus are very important to a developing fetus. Folic acid has been found to decrease the risks of certain birth defects substantially. These defects are neural tube disorders including, spina bifida and anencephaly, cleft palate, cleft lip and limb defects.
There is also some evidence that folic acid can help protect against cancer. Firstly folic acid helps with DNA replication. So high levels of folic acid can help to cut down on the risks of mistakes in replication that can lead to cancer. Secondly folic acid is an antioxidant. Antioxidants snatch up free radicals in the body that damage your cells. This damage can also lead to cancer.
Also folic acid has been shown to keep the levels of homocysteine in the blood down. Homocysteine is a by-product of the breakdown of methionine which is a part of the protein we take in, in our food. Homocysteine has been linked to cardiovascular disease and Alzheimer’s disease. Homocysteine in the blood damages the lining of the blood vessels which can lead to arteriosclerosis. This is hardening of the arteries which can make it difficult for blood to travel through the cardiovascular system.
In the case of cardiovascular disease its been found that people with high levels of homocysteine are twice as likely as other people to suffer from clogged arteries. Arteriosclerosis also creates a progressive narrowing of the blood vessels and arteries. This reduces the flow of blood and vital oxygen to parts of your body. It makes your heart work harder and raises your blood pressure.
There is a connection between high levels of homocysteine and Alzheimers and other forms of dementia. Though researchers aren’t exactly sure yet if the high levels of homocysteine are a symptom of Alzheimers or one of the causes. It has been shown that if a person takes high doses of folic acid regularly have more cognitive function than those who haven’t.
If you take folic acid the recommended daily value is four hundred mcg. If you are pregnant, could become pregnant or are lactating you should take between six hundred and eight hundred mcg. daily.
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Omega-3 fatty acids are an essential nutrient, meaning that they are required for normal growth in children. However, it is the benefits to adults that have received more attention lately. Back in 2006, the United States FDA (Food and Drug Administration) gave what is called a "qualified health claim" to omega-3 fatty acids in the area of coronary heart disease. This important designation meant that there was evidence that omega 3s may reduce the risk of heart disease. It is not easy in the U.S. right now for over-the-counter supplements and nutrients to get this kind of strong backing, but perhaps this is just the beginning.
The following benefits of Omega 3s have also been suggested (please contact the author through the pages that are linked in the signature box for reference information):
- People with circulation problems, the most well-known perhaps being varicose veins, benefit from fish oil.
- Omega-3 fatty acids have been shown to reduce symptoms of ADHD in children (Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder).
- With Omega 3 supplementation, some children have had improved academic performance when they have previously struggled to learn.
- There have also been animal studies that have suggested that omega 3s might help decrease memory loss of people who are older
- Omega 3 fatty acids have been found to have an anti-inflammatory property that can help with neck pain and rheumatoid arthritis
- Women who ate fish containing omega 3s during their first trimester had over 3 times less risk of low birth weight and premature birth.
- Some studies have shown that there is a deficit in omega-3 fatty acids in many people with depression, and other studies have shown that omega-3 supplementation reduced depressive symptoms.
There are some people who should not take omega 3 fatty acid supplementation, so it is important that if you have a medical diagnosis you check with your doctor before taking omega 3s (For example, people with congestive heart failure and chronic recurrent angina may be told not to take these supplements).
There used to be concern that the fish oils sold for consumption, even in gels, contained heavy metals that were dangerous to your health. However, the fish oil industry has taken many steps to improve this and ensure they are safe. You can contact the maker of the supplement you are considering and ask about the current safety of their fish oil or fish oil gels.
Beyond supplements, the most widely available source of omega 3s are cold water fish such as salmon, herring, mackerel, anchovies and sardines. Other fish such as tuna also contain omega-3 in somewhat lesser amounts.
Some people, particularly vegetarians and people who are concerned about the mercury and other heavy metal content, choose to take flax seed oil supplements instead of fish oil. However, while flax seed oil is six times richer than most fish oils in omega-3, the actual omega 3 chemical in flax seed oil is called ALA (alpha-linolenic acid). This chemical, in turn must be converted to other forms to be fully effective in the ways mentioned above, and this process is not very efficient, especially as one gets older. Fish oil contains the end-state chemicals already, so no conversion is necessary.
It is clear that there are strong reasons to supplement with omega 3 fatty acids, and more specific benefits are being discovered every day. As always, you should consult with your health care provider before taking a nutritional supplement, so think about asking her or him about omega 3s today.
Both Vincent Platania & Alan Jacobson are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Vincent Platania has sinced written about articles on various topics from Acne Treatment, Family Concerns and Home Management. Author Vincent Platania represents the Stanley Home Products. Stanley Home Products has been in business since 1936, and offers high quality home and personal care products to keep your home and your body clean. Visit. Vincent Platania's top article generates over 33100 views. to your Favourites.
Alan Jacobson has sinced written about articles on various topics from Family Concerns, Politics and Entertainment Guide. For more information about the health benefits of omega 3 fatty acids, or about supplementation with omega 3s, please see either