What is the role of folate and vitamin B12?

What is the role of folate and vitamin B12?

Folate has an important role in cell division and it is especially needed during infancy and pregnancy. Human body requires folate in order to produce healthy red blood cells and prevent anemia, while vitamin B12 plays an important role in supplying essential methyl groups for protein and DNA synthesis.

What is the function of vitamin B12?

Vitamin B12 is needed to form red blood cells and DNA. It is also a key player in the function and development of brain and nerve cells. Vitamin B12 binds to the protein in the foods we eat. In the stomach, hydrochloric acid and enzymes unbind vitamin B12 into its free form.

Why do red blood cells need folate and B12?

Erythroblasts require folate and vitamin B12 for proliferation during their differentiation. Deficiency of folate or vitamin B12 inhibits purine and thymidylate syntheses, impairs DNA synthesis, and causes erythroblast apoptosis, resulting in anemia from ineffective erythropoiesis.

How do vitamin B12 and folate function similarly in the body?

Vitamin B12 works closely with vitamin B9, also called folate or folic acid, to help make red blood cells and to help iron work better in the body. Folate and B12 work together to produce S-adenosylmethionine (SAMe), a compound involved in immune function and mood.

Does vitamin B12 increase hemoglobin?

A significant increase in hemoglobin appeared from very low vitamin B12 concentration and up to approx. 400 pg/mL, while hemoglobin did not significantly change from 700 pg/mL and onwards. Vitamin B12 injections were used by 34% of athletes, significantly more often by endurance than by strength athletes.

What is Vitamin B9 used for?

Vitamin B9, also called folate or folic acid, is one of 8 B vitamins. All B vitamins help the body convert food (carbohydrates) into fuel (glucose), which is used to produce energy. These B vitamins, often referred to as B-complex vitamins, also help the body use fats and protein.

Can you take B12 and folate together?

Both folic acid and vitamin B12 are essential for health. But when taken together, these B vitamins may interact with each other. You shouldn’t take more than 1,000 micrograms (mcg.) of supplemental folic acid per day.

What is folate used for in the body?

Folate (vitamin B-9) is important in red blood cell formation and for healthy cell growth and function. The nutrient is crucial during early pregnancy to reduce the risk of birth defects of the brain and spine.

What is a vitamin B12 and folate blood test?

Vitamin B12 and folate tests measure vitamin levels in the liquid portion of the blood (serum or plasma) to detect deficiencies. Sometimes the amount of folate inside red blood cells may also be measured.

What are normal B12 and folate levels?

The normal range for vitamin B12 can vary slightly depending on the lab. But a normal level of vitamin B12 in your bloodstream is generally between 190 and 950 picograms per milliliter (pg/mL). Between 200 to 300 pg/mL is considered borderline and your doctor may do more testing.

Are folate and vitamin B12 the same thing?

Because folate is stored in tissue in smaller quantities than B12, folate must be consumed more regularly than B12. Both B12 and folate deficiencies may be seen in people who have conditions that interfere with absorption of the vitamins in the small intestine. Vitamin B12 absorption occurs in a series of steps.

Do you need vitamin B12 to utilize folate?

Vitamin B12 is responsible for reactivating folic acid , by converting it through various reactions back into tetrahydrofolate, the form of folic acid which the body can use. The metabolism of folic acid takes place in a continuous cycle, in which folic acid passes through various forms that have different effects.

Why folic acid and vitamin B12 are required?

The vitamins and minerals folic acid, vitamin B12 and iron are indispensable for the healthy growth of the embryo. In this process, each one of these biofactors has specific tasks in the organism of mother and child. Since all three nutrients are essential for the formation of blood, all three nutrients are essential.