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PERSONALIZATION #11: GENETICS OF FOLIC ACID- Folic Acid is a B vitamin which gets its name from the Latin word for leaf because it is present in green leafy vegetables. Folic acid is important in brain development by controlling the activation of genes as a baby develops in the uterus and so is vital for every woman of childbearing age. Folic acid deficiency in the mother can lead to serious birth defects in the newborn infant affecting the brain and spinal nerves. In adults with a genetic variation of a protein called the TT variant of the MTHFR gene, high blood levels of an amino acid called homocysteine are associated with an increased risk of heart disease when there is too little folic acid in the diet. About 10% of a group of normal people will have the TT form of the gene for folic acid metabolism. It is believed this variant developed millions of years ago when apes moved from Africa where plants grew all year to Europe where folic acid was limited during the winter. Folic acid interacts with DNA to control genes for reproduction as well as affecting the risk of heart disease later in life. The TT variant shuttled folic acid toward its important functions in reproduction and in the process shuttled folic acid away from its role in heart health. Today many people around the world don’t get enough folic acid from their diet, and need a Multivitamin which will provide 400 micrograms of folic acid every day which is enough except in pregnant women who need 600 to 800 milligrams per day. Folic acid works together with vitamins B12 and B6. Folic acid supplementation in large amounts when there is B12 deficiency, leads to a rare form of paralysis which is one reason for taking a balanced Multivitamin.Balanced Nutrition starts with the right amount of protein from Protein-Rich Shakes, and Colorful Fruits and Vegetables but includes getting the Vitamins and Minerals your body needs every day from supplements including a Multivitamin Complex!! #drdavidheber #folicacid #vitamins #genetics #multivitamin to learn more read Personalized Nutrition and Transformation by Heber and Bowerman and go to www.drdavidheber.com and www.herbalifenutritioninstitute.com

A post shared by Dr. David Heber (@drdavidheber) on Jan 10, 2018 at 4:51am PST