Folate deficiency symptoms: signs you shouldn't ignore

Your body is silently screaming at you that something is wrong with it. Mouth ulcers, a ghostly pallor, constant fatigue. How much longer are you going to ignore these desperate signals?

What if you were deficient in folate, also known as vitamin B9?

Discover the causes and symptoms of folate deficiency so you can take action before it gets worse.

Why is folate important?

Folate is vitamin B9, a faithful protector of your body and mind.

Imagine it as a builder that helps activate your genes (DNA) and produce red blood cells, which carry oxygen through your blood to all parts of your body.

In addition, it helps you absorb nutrients, is essential during pregnancy, helps prevent cardiovascular diseases and improves your mood.

Caution! Folate is not folic acid. The latter is synthetic and can have side effects such as affecting memory, masking B12 deficiency, causing allergies and stomach problems.

Symptoms of folate deficiency in the body

While folate deficiency is not as common as with other nutrients, keep an eye out for these signs, as they may indicate that you need to consume more:

• You often get sick, suffer from infections, have trouble healing or have allergies because your immune system is weakened.
• You feel exhausted all the time, even from the moment you wake up.
• You have digestive problems, such as constipation, bloating, or irritable bowel syndrome.
• You experience sudden mood swings, such as irritability and anxiety.
• You notice your skin is paler than normal.
• Your hair turned gray sooner than you expected.
• You have painful sores in your mouth or your tongue is swollen.
• You experience anemia (you have few healthy red blood cells), which can cause fatigue, weakness, and shortness of breath.
• In cases of severe deficiency, numbness or tingling in the extremities may occur.

Who should pay special attention to folate consumption?

Pregnant women or women trying to become pregnant, nursing mothers, those who frequently consume alcohol, people with liver disease, those taking diabetes medications, those who frequently use diuretics or laxatives.

What causes folate deficiency?

• A diet low in fresh fruits, green leafy vegetables and fortified cereals.
• Overcooking foods, which can destroy folate.
• Diseases that affect absorption in the digestive system, such as Crohn's disease and celiac disease.
• Having low stomach acid or having gastric surgery.
• Excessive alcohol consumption.
• Certain medications.
• Genetic factors that hinder the absorption of folate.

If you identify with all these situations and want to solve the symptoms of folate deficiency, you need to read: Folate, what it is for: benefits, how much and how to consume it

Please remember that the information on this blog is not a substitute for medical advice. If you have any questions, please consult your doctor for a proper diagnosis and treatment.

Important: This content is for educational purposes only and should not be used as medical advice. If you have any health conditions, please consult your doctor.

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