Should a teenager take folic acid?

Teenagers need the B vitamin folate — or folic acid, the synthetic form of the vitamin — for a number of reasons. These are: to help with the growth of new cells. During the teen years your body goes through growth spurts in which new cells are made.

How much folic acid should a teen take?

How much folate do I need?

Life Stage	Recommended Amount
Children 9–13 years	300 mcg DFE
Teens 14–18 years	400 mcg DFE
Adults 19+ years	400 mcg DFE
Pregnant teens and women	600 mcg DFE

What age should you take folic acid?

A baby’s neural tube starts developing in the first 4 weeks of pregnancy (before the first missed period). So it’s best to start taking folic acid as soon as you start trying for a baby.

How much folate should a 15 year old take?

The recommended daily intake of folate from all sources is 150 micrograms (mcg) for children ages 1 to 3; 200 mcg for ages 4 to 8; and 300 mcg for ages 9 to 13. Older teens and men are advised to get 400 mcg.

Is folic acid good for 14 year olds?

Teens who don’t eat fortified breakfast cereals, enriched flours, fruits, or fresh vegetables, as well as those who skip meals may not get enough folic acid or folate. For those teens, multivitamins or folic acid supplements that have 400 micrograms of folic acid are a good option.

Is folic acid good for students?

A dietary intake of 400 µg folic acid per day has been shown to reduce neural tube defects in the embryo by up to 70\%. Other studies have shown that folic acid supplements are also important for other developing organs in the embryo, reducing the risk of heart and limb defects or a cleft palate.

Does folic acid have side effects?

When taken by mouth: It is likely safe for most people to take folic acid in doses of no more than 1 mg daily. Doses higher than 1 mg daily may be unsafe. These doses might cause stomach upset, nausea, diarrhea, irritability, confusion, behavior changes, skin reactions, seizures, and other side effects.

Can a 14 year old take folic acid?

Is taking folic acid after 12 weeks bad?

Once you reach 12 weeks pregnant your baby’s spine will have developed, so you can stop taking folic acid if you wish. However you can continue to take supplements after 12 weeks if you choose to and it won’t harm your baby to do so.

Can folic acid become toxic?

Oral folic acid (pteroylglutamic acid) is generally regarded as not toxic for normal humans but it may cause neurological injury when given to patients with undiagnosed pernicious anemia.

Is it safe to have folic acid everyday?

Yes, you can get too much folic acid, but only from man-made products such as multivitamins and fortified foods, such as breakfast cereals. You can’t get too much from foods that naturally contain folate. You should not get more than 1,000 micrograms of folic acid a day, unless your doctor prescribes a higher amount.

Why is folic acid bad for kids?

Additionally, an overdose of folic acid in the body may mask a vitamin B12 deficiency, which can result in permanent nerve damage to the brain, nerves, and spinal cord.

What is the best folic acid supplement for teens?

For those teens, multivitamins or folic acid supplements that have 400 micrograms of folic acid are a good option. Don’t worry about getting too much folate from food, but don’t take more than 1000 mcg of folic acid in a supplement each day unless prescribed by your doctor.

How much folic acid should you take a day?

For children and adults: 1-3 years old – 300 micrograms/day. 4-8 years old – 400 micrograms/day. 9-13 years old – 600 micrograms/day. 14-18 years old – 800 micrograms/day. 19 years and older – 1,000 micrograms/day. It’s best to take folic acid supplements in the morning along with any multivitamins.

How much folate do adolescents need per day?

Male and female adolescents ages 14 to 18 require 400 mcg of folate per day. The Food and Nutrition Board at the Institute of Medicine have established recommended dietary allowances for folate.

What vitamins are good for adolescence?

Vitamins are essential for proper growth and development throughout the life cycle. Folic acid, a water-soluble B vitamin, is especially important during adolescence. Folic acid helps the body maintain old cells and create new ones. This is especially important during periods of rapid cell division and growth.