Our bodies are creating DNA and making new cells all the time just to stay healthy. If you don’t get in enough folate, your cells cannot make new DNA, divide, and multiply!
Problem is, your body doesn’t make folate on its own, so you need to take it in through foods or supplementation. Here’s how to ensure you’re filling up on folate.
The average adult needs 400 micrograms (mcg) of folate a day. For the most part, the you don’t need a supplement if you are eating Comfort Keto recipes.
When you don’t get enough of the stuff, deficiency can crop up and cause a slew of unpleasant symptoms. Here’s how to tell if you need more of the vitamin in your diet, whether or not you really need to worry about deficiency.
What are the symptoms of folate deficiency?
The biggest sign of folate deficiency is megaloblastic anemia, a condition in which the body has a low number of abnormally large red blood cells. If you’re lacking in folate, your red blood cell count can go down because you’re inhibiting proper DNA synthesis. This can deprive your tissues of oxygen, leading to the following symptoms:
Weakness, fatigue, and irritability
Headaches
Shortness of breath
Problems with concentration
The cells in your mouth and those of your skin turn over frequently, so it’s also common to see the first signs of folate deficiency with the following:
Shallow sores in your mouth or on your tongue
Discoloration or paleness of the skin
Discoloration of the nails
Premature gray hair
Talk to your doctor if you’re experiencing several of the symptoms above. While lots of health conditions can cause headaches and fatigue, your MD can perform a blood test to confirm a folate deficiency.