Folic Acid and vit D-why does everyone take it

I notice that many of you supplement with folic acid. Why? Is there some benefit with regard to UC or is it only to combat hairloss due to medication?

What about VitD. Are you all taking it to increase immune function?

I take Vitamin D3 also because I was extremely low in it. It can make you feel very tired if your low.

That is not fair. I have been advocating vit D before there were advocates for D. I was only saying that vit D is one of the few vitamins that can be overdosed. Even your hero Dr. Mercola, presumably a vitamin expert, overdosed on vitamin D.

I did not intend to be harsh but I thought it was important to understand the danger of overdosing. Besides in recent years many conventional doctors can now no longer ignore the benefits of vit D.

Babeinthewoods said...
same is true with vitamin D supplementation. Optimum levels are between 40 and 60 ng/ml and probably 99 percent of the population probably doesn't even meet those levels. But I disagree with your post in another thread about having levels near 100. You have your lifestyle and I have mine, so we can choose to disagree. But I know that famous health advocate Gary Null was hospitalized several months because of a vitamin D overdose. He was taking his own supplements that he sells to the public.

And doctor Joe Mercola, famous nutrition and vitamin advocate, also OD'd on vitamin D. He regularly took oral supplements to raise his blood levels to near 100. Then when he vacationed in the tropics the extra sunlight pushed his blood levels of vit D to toxic levels, and toxic levels can have serious consequences:

articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2006/05/06/mushrooms-your-newest-vitamin-d-source.aspx
You really need to be careful about all forms of oral vitamin D as it is just too easy to overdose. I had this personally confirmed this winter when I spent two months away from Chicago in a sub-tropical setting and had regular sun exposure nearly every day.

Prior to leaving, my levels were fine. When I returned, however, my vitamin D levels were in the toxic range. I believe this was related to the fact that I was taking cod liver oil for two months prior to leaving.

Post Edited (BabeintheWoods) : 5/19/2012 3:10:37 PM (GMT-6)

An integrative doctor did blood testing on me and found my D levels to be low. But that test was done a few yrs ago and I was supplementing on D3 for a while. I should really have my levels checked again.

I was also supplementing on folic acid in the past due to having the MTHFR gene mutation. I only have one copy of each though. about 60% of the population carries at least one mutation and doesn't know it. Its not really known what the affects are of having one mutation but apparently the way to right the body of this issue is to take folic acid. Again, its something I haven't kept up with. I really need to get a new script. Also, the form of folic acid is supposedly important. Its advised to take folinic acid rather than folic acid. I didn't know that it was important to take this to prevent colon cancer though.

Do you all use prescription strength folic acid or over the counter?

I started taking folic acid while I was taking PPIs, because taking PPIs (proton pump inhibitors, used to reduce stomach acid production) can lead to what's called "pernicious anemia," which is when you have too little B12 absorption. Taking folic acid reduces the risk of this developing. I stopped taking PPIs a couple of years ago but never stopped taking folic acid, and none of my DRs have told me to.

I take 2000 iu of vitamin D daily because on my regular physical 5 years ago my blood level was 29. My GP wanted it to be over 40. On my last physical it was 39 and everyone was ok with that. Vitamin D is made by your own body as a result of sun exposure, but as a middle aged white woman with a desk job, I don't get much of that. And when I am outside I wear sunblock. So, yeah, I needed a supplement.

I don't take supplementary calcium because it bothers my stomach, and my OB/Gyn, rheumatologist and GP are ok with me making that choice as long as I keep my vitamin D up and include calcium in my diet.