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Factors affecting folic acid absorption include the form of supplementation, cooking methods, alcohol consumption, oral contraceptives, poor diet, and vitamins C and B12. Birth control pills can also affect absorption, and a poor diet can interfere with absorption.
There are a few factors that affect folic acid absorption, including the form of supplementation a person chooses, although differences in absorption rate can be slight. Also, cooking foods that contain folic acid, the form of folic acid found naturally in food, can destroy some of the nutrients and affect how much is absorbed by the body. Excessive alcohol consumption, oral contraceptive medications, and a poor diet can also have adverse effects. On the other hand, vitamins C and B12 can increase the rate at which the nutrient is absorbed.
One of the factors that affects the absorption of folic acid is the form in which it is taken. There may be slight variations in absorption depending on whether folic acid supplements are taken as gelcaps, powders, tablets, or in another form. However, the rate of absorption from food sources can be modified depending on the method of preparation, since exposure to heat from cooking can destroy this nutrient. Similarly, exposure to air can reduce how much a person’s body absorbs.
Alcohol intake may also have an effect on the absorption of folic acid. When a person consumes alcoholic beverages in excess, this can cause decreased absorption of folic acid. It can also affect how much of the vitamin is expelled from your body. Alcoholic beverages probably will not adversely affect absorption in a person who drinks occasionally or in moderation. Instead, this effect is often a problem for people who drink heavily on a regular basis.
Health experts often recommend taking folic acid with other vitamins to maximize absorption. Vitamin C and B12, for example, are said to help increase the body’s absorption of this nutrient. However, this does not mean that a person has to take another supplement to increase absorption. Instead, an individual can obtain vitamin C and B12 from a food source. For example, many people take folic acid along with fortified orange juice to make sure more of it can be absorbed and used by the body.
Some types of birth control can also affect the body’s absorption of folic acid. Usually this problem is caused by oral contraceptives that many women take. Since folic acid is important for overall health, a concerned woman may want to consult her doctor about taking supplements to counteract the effects of birth control pills.
A poor diet can also affect the absorption of folic acid. When a person doesn’t get enough of the other B vitamins, for example, this can interfere with their absorption of folic acid from food. Additionally, insufficient protein intake can have an adverse effect on the body’s ability to absorb and use folate.
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