Folic acid NEW

1. Dietary Supplements & Nutrition

• Prenatal supplementation: The most well-known use. Prevents neural tube defects (NTDs) such as spina bifida and anencephaly in the developing fetus.

• General vitamin B-complex supplements to treat or prevent folate deficiency.

• Used in multivitamins, pregnancy vitamins, and nutritional powders.

2. Pharmaceutical Uses

• Treatment of megaloblastic anemia caused by folic acid deficiency.

• Adjuvant therapy for certain gastrointestinal disorders and malabsorption syndromes.

• Used in combination with other vitamins (B12, B6) to support cardiovascular health by regulating homocysteine levels.

• Supportive treatment in patients with chronic alcoholism.

3. Food Fortification

• Mandatory or voluntary fortification of flour, rice, cereals, pasta, milk, and infant formulas to improve public folate status.

• Added to health foods and functional beverages.

4. Animal Feed

• Added to livestock and poultry feed to improve growth, reproductive performance, and egg/hatchling quality.

• Prevents folate deficiency in farmed animals.

5. Biochemical & Laboratory Applications

• Used as a cell culture supplement for mammalian cell culture, bacteria, and microorganisms.

• Reagent in biochemical assays and research related to DNA synthesis, methylation, and one-carbon metabolism.

6. Cosmetics & Topical Products

• Used in some skin-care products for antioxidant and skin-repairing effects.

• Added to hair-care products to support scalp and hair health.