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Question 1

Folate is also known as:

Answer 1

Vitamin B9

Question 2

The recommended daily intake level of folate is ___

Answer 2

400 micrograms from foods or dietary supplements.

Question 3

Low levels of B9 in early pregnancy are believed to be the cause of ___.

Answer 3

More than half of babies born with neural tube defects.

Question 4

Why can a folate deficiency result in low numbers of large red blood cells (a type of anemia).

Answer 4

B9 is essential in the production of DNA and RNA. As such the inhibited DNA synthesis results in an impaired cell cycle (the mitosis stage can’t be reached). This results in lack of red blood cells: Megaloblastic anemia.

Question 5

Megaloblastic anemia:

Answer 5

Megaloblastic anemia is a condition in which the bone marrow produces unusually large, structurally abnormal, immature red blood cells (megaloblasts).

Question 6

Where are red blood cells produced?

Answer 6

Red blood cells, most white blood cells, and platelets are produced in the bone marrow, the soft fatty tissue inside bone cavities.

Question 7

Since red blood cells are necessary to transport oxygen, what is a side effect of low folate?

Answer 7

Low oxygenated blood = fatigue

Question 8

What causes folate deficiency?

Answer 8

Not ingesting enough foods that supply B9

You have a medical condition that gives you a higher need to B9

The body doesn’t ABSORB enough. Your body doesn’t absorb enough folic acid. This might happen if you drink too much alcohol or have severe kidney problems that require dialysis.

You take certain medications with side effects.

Question 9

What is anemia?

Answer 9

A condition in which the blood doesn’t have enough healthy red blood cells

Question 10

What are the side effects of anemia?

Answer 10

Anemia may make you:

Feel weak and tired.
Feel lightheaded.
Be forgetful.
Feel grouchy.
Lose your appetite and lose weight.
Have trouble concentrating.

Question 11

Can B9 stay in the blood?

Answer 11

No. Its water soluble which means it dissolves in the body until it’s either absorbed or peed out. This means the body needs to continually resupplied with it.

Question 12

Are folate and folic acid the same

thing?

Answer 12

No. Folate is the naturally occurring form, and folic acid is the synthesized version found in fortified foods.

Question 13

Is Folic Acid food fortification normal?

Answer 13

It’s actually required legally as of 1998, after it was deemed mandatory due to overwhelming evidence of its protective effect against neural tube defects (NTD) in newborns.

Question 14

What is the difference between Folate and Folic Acid?

Answer 14

Folate is natural, Folic acid is made artificially.

Question 15

Is it normal to find Folic Acid in food?

Answer 15

More than normal. It’s been standardized since it was proven to help reduce the chances of babies being born with NTDs.

Question 16

Where is B9 naturally found (as Folate)?

Answer 16

Leafy Vegetables primarily, but also to a lesser degree in grains, fruits, legumes, etc.

Question 17

How much Folate can the body stock up?

Answer 17

None, as B vitamins are water soluble and so are peed out.

Question 18

Transmethylation:

Answer 18

A biologically important organic chemical reaction in which a methyl group is transferred from one compound to another.

Question 19

Methyl group:

Answer 19

A hydrocarbon derived from Methane, found in many organic compounds. It is normally part of a larger molecule.

Question 20

How can a B9 and/or B12 deficiency potentially cause depression (amongst many other issues)?

Answer 20

An interferred transmethylation of methionine from homocysteine.

In order to sustain sufficient reaction rates during metabolic stress, this reaction requires adequate levels of vitamin B12 and folic acid. Methyl tetrahydrofolate delivers methyl groups to form the active methyl form of vitamin B12 that is required for methylation of homocysteine. Deficiencies of vitamin B12 or folic acid cause increased levels of circulating homocysteine. Elevated homocysteine is a risk factor for vascular injuries by oxidative mechanisms which can contribute to cerebral dysfunction. All of these can lead to the development of various disorders, including depression

Question 21

What is L-Methylfolate and how can it help?

Answer 21

It’s a supplemental form of Folate that can cross the blood-brain barrier and plays a role in neurotransmitter synthesis. It indirectly facilitates the synthesis of serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine, three neurotransmitters involved in mood regulation and other important functions. This means it also helps SSRI’s and SNRI’s be more effective.

Question 22

Is information sent between neurons by electricity or by chemicals?

Answer 22

Both. Electrical signals are not about to cross the gap between most neurons so they are converted into chemical signals to cross the gap. After they cross they are absorbed by the neuron and then changed back into an electric signal.

Question 23

What are neurotransmitters predominantly made of?

Answer 23

Amino Acids

Question 24

What is the most common neurotransmitter? What does it do?

Answer 24

Glutamate, also known as glutamic acid, is taken up by the body in order to build proteins. Glutamate is the most abundant stimulating neurotransmitter in the nervous system. Important for long term potentiation, learning, and memory. Also used as a salty food additive, often found in asian cuisines

Question 25

How quickly do brain neurons regenerate?

Answer 25

Brain neurons do not regenerate. We have a fixed number that slowly dies (we have billions)

Question 26

What are the three principal regions of a neuron? Which part contains the nucleus?

Answer 26

Cell body, dendrites, and an axon. The cell body contains the nucleus.