water soluble vitamins - folate (B9)

Question 1

how is supplement different from natural form

Answer 1

supplement form (folic acid) = most stable form; does not require digestion; absorbed 100%

Question 2

which requires digestion? what is required for digestion?

Answer 2

folate requires digestion - conjugase is required

Question 3

what is function?

Answer 3

coenzyme (tetrahydrofolate; THF; TH4)

• donor and acceptor in carbon metabolism (IMPT in embryogenesis)
• DNA syntehsis and repair
• AA metabolism

Question 4

what pathways is this important for in body?

Answer 4

histidine to glutamate

homocysteine to methionine

Question 5

what are disorders caused by folate or b12 deficiencies?

Answer 5

megaloblastic macrocytic anemia - fatigue, headaches, difficulty concentrating, shortness of breath, palpitations
neural tube defects - spina bifida and anencephaly

Question 6

what issues does taking high dose folate supplements cause?

Answer 6

masks a B12 deficiency

binds with zinc in GI tract causing a zinc deficiency

Question 7

what are natural sources of folate?

Answer 7

dark leafy veggies, mushrooms, liver, legumes, fortified cereals, orange juice