Why Do We Need Vitamin B9?

Vitamin B9 (Folic Acid) is necessary for proper brain function. Folic acid deficiency is the most common B vitamin deficiency. It also works together with vitamin B12 to regulate the formation of red blood cells. Folic acid deficiency can cause poor growth, shortness of breath, diarrhea, irritability, forgetfulness, and mental sluggishness, among others.

Signs & Symptoms of Vitamin B9 Deficiency:
Poor growth
Tongue inflammation
Gingivitis
Loss of appetite.
Shortness of breath
Diarrhea
Irritability.
Forgetfulness
Mental sluggishness
Birth defects.
Possibly miscarriages
Cardiovascular disease.
Depression
Cancers.
Hyperhomocysteinemia (elevated homocysteine levels).

Vitamin B9 (folic acid) has been shown to be beneficial in the following conditions:
Prevention of birth defects in pregnant women or women planning to become pregnant
May help prevent miscarriage
Lowering homocysteine levels in combination with other B vitamins.
May be helpful in depression and Alzheimer’s disease
Osteoporosis, in combination with other vitamins and minerals.
Cancer, especially colon, breast, and esophagus. 
May help in cervical dysplasia, a pre-cancerous change.
Burns, in combination with other B vitamins
Anemias.

Prescription Drugs that Deplete Vitamin B9 (folic acid):
Antibiotics, with long term use
Aspirin, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and acetaminophen (Tylenol) all can increase the need for folic acid
Birth Control Pills
Anticonvulsants, such as phenytoin (Dilantin) or carbamazepine (Tegretol)
Cholesterol lowering drugs such as cholestyramine (Questran), colestipol (Colestid), and colesevelam (Welchol) that bind cholesterol and fats in the GI tract.
Sulfasalazine
Methotrexate.
Antacids
H2 blockers such as cimetidine (Tagamet), ranitidine (Zantac), and famotidine (Pepcid).
Metformin (Glucophage)
Barbiturates such as pentobarbital and Phenobarbital.

Laboratory testing for Vitamin B9 (Folic Acid)
RBC folate, serum folate assays
Leukocyte functional assays.

Vitamin B9 Food Sources:
Spinach, dark, leafy greens, asparagus, turnips, beets, mustard greens, brussel sprouts, lima beans, soybeans, beef liver, brewer’s yeast, root vegetables, whole grains, wheat germ, bulgur wheat, kidney beans, white beans, mung beans, oysters, salmon, orange juice, avocado, milk, and all enriched grain products in the U.S. since 1998.