Folic acid supplementation in b12 deficiency

[psawant]

Hi All,

Is it required to supplement with folic acid even if it is in normal range when b12 deficient. I heard folic acid helps in better absorption of b12. My folic acid is in normal range, do i need to supplement it?

[Gambit62 Administrator]

If your folate is in normal range then you aren't deficient. Folate isn't really stored and levels aren't maintained in the same way as B12 so its very responsive to dietary intake.

B12 doesn't help with the absorption of folic acid but a B12 absorption problem can also affect other minerals and vitamins, most commonly folate and iron. There are a lot of processes that go on in cells that use both folate and B12 so a deficiency in one will stop the process working.

[psawant in reply to Gambit62]

Hi Gambit62,

Thank you for the reply,

So, I dont need to take folic acid/ folate right?

[Gambit62 Administrator in reply to psawant]

The best source of folate is food. You don't need to supplement, though as fbirder says small amounts of supplements - eg a supermarket supplement - won't do any harm, given that having a B12 absorption problem does make the chances of having a folate absorption problem greater.

[psawant in reply to Gambit62]

Okay Gambit, Thank you

[fbirder]

No, despite many sources erroneously saying that you need to take vast doses of folate when injecting B12, you do not need to supplement if you are replete.

Of course, taking small, sensible, doses cannot harm and may prevent your levels dropping too low if you should happen to not consume enough in your diet for a couple of days.

Here's a lot of information - b12science.com/B12Science/D...

[psawant in reply to fbirder]

Thank you fbirder

[Leils]

I take 400 mcg folic acid daily.

My levels were ok at GP and I eat lots of greens.

I've tried having none but mood seems lower and I'm on B12 jabs alternate days.

I think everyone needs to find their own path with this as some take folate but it didn't agree with me.