All prices include VAT. For UK orders there is an additional packing charge of £0.49 per order. All orders are sent out with Royal Mail 1st class postage (FOR NEXT DAY DELIVERY). For overseas orders the postage charge is based on the overall weight of your order which is then calcualted against Royal Mails Overseas Price List. For overseas orders there is an additional packing charge of £1.00 per order. All overseas orders are shipped via Airmail.
When you are transferred to our secure server to purchase your products, you will have the option to pay in Euro or US Dollar if you don't wish to pay in UK Sterling.
Folic acid is one of the B vitamins, it is also
known as folate when found naturally in foods, some of which you may
already eat. Folic acid is added to many breakfast cereals (e.g. Kellogg's
corn flakes™)and breads to fortify them.
Look on the outside of packets
for the nutritional chart or the 'contains folic acid' symbol.
Foods that are high in folate include: -
Bovril™.
Fruits particularly kiwi fruit and papaya.
Vegetables such as broccoli, brussel sprouts,
spinach, cabbage, asparagus and parsnips.
Cooked kidney and liver (pregnant women should avoid
liver).
Be careful not to overcook vegetables as this can
destroy the folate, you should also try to eat vegetables raw or steamed.
Foods that contain good sources of folate
include:
Oranges (including orange
juice)
Tinned baked beans
Lettuce, peas and cauliflower
Marmite™
Egg yolks
Milk
Wholemeal and white bread (usually fortified
with folic acid).
Large jacket potato
There are also folic acid supplements available if you
don't tend to eat any of the foods listed on a regular basis. Supplements
should only be taken when your diet isn't giving you the recommended
intakes. The recommended daily allowance for folic acid is 400 micrograms.
If you are pregnant a folic acid supplement is recommended - see below.
Why do I need to take folic acid?
Taking folic acid when you are pregnant protects
your unborn baby from being affected by neural
tube defects (N.T.D.) the most common being spina
bifida. Spina bifida occurs when the baby's spine does not develop
as it should, leaving a gap or a split. Depending on the type of spina
bifida, the baby can either be stillborn,
die shortly after birth or cause disabilities in the child.
Due to the early development of the baby's spine, folic acid should
be taken as soon as contraception stops and until the 12th week of pregnancy. You do not need to carry
on taking folic acid after the 12th week, as the baby’s spine will
be developed, but you should still stick to a healthy
balanced diet.
Folic acid is also needed to reduce levels of homocysteine in the blood, high levels of homocysteine have been linked with an increased
risk of heart
disease and stroke. These diseases are widespread among men
so additional folic acid may benefit men as well as women.
There is also increasing evidence that high levels of
homocysteine may play a part in diseases such as osteoporosis and Alzheimer's.
We will try to keep you updated with news on homocysteine and its affects
on the body.
New research also shows that men who
have a folic acid deficiency could notice a 90% reduction in their sperm
count. If men suffering with partial infertility take folic acid it
is proclaimed to increase the quality and quantity of their sperm.
How can I increase my intake of folic acid?
You can get folic acid by increasing your intake
of the foods mentioned above, you probably already have an intake of
200micrograms from normal healthy eating. Green leafy vegetables and
certain cereals (check the packages for details) contain the highest
source of folic acid (more than 100micrograms per serving).
You should increase your intake of folic acid when
pregnant by taking a folic acid supplement, the recommended dose for
this is 0.4 milligrams (400micrograms) a day. These can be bought in
all chemists, most supermarkets and health food shops, they are also
available on prescription(free when pregnant).
Can I take too much folic acid?
Folic Acid is not harmful either to yourself or
your baby. As folic acid is water-soluble your body is capable of getting
rid naturally of any excess amounts.
If you suffer from epilepsy,
consult your family doctor before taking a folic acid supplement.
