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Deficiencia de folato - Overview

Nombres alternativos

Deficiencia de ácido fólico; Insuficiencia de ácido fólico

Definición:

La deficiencia de folato significa que uno tiene en la sangre una cantidad de ácido fólico, un tipo de vitamina B, menor a la normal.

Ver también: ácido fólico

Causas:

El ácido fólico trabaja junto con la vitamina B12 y la vitamina C para ayudar al cuerpo a descomponer, usar y crear nuevas proteínas. La vitamina ayuda a formar glóbulos rojos y producir el ADN, el pilar fundamental del cuerpo humano, que porta la información genética.

El ácido fólico es un tipo de vitamina B. Es hidrosoluble, lo cual significa que no puede almacenarse en el cuerpo. Las vitaminas hidrosolubles se disuelven en agua. Las cantidades sobrantes de vitamina salen del cuerpo a través de la orina.

Debido a que el folato no se almacena en el cuerpo en grandes cantidades, se necesita un suministro continuo de esta vitamina a través de la alimentación para mantener los niveles normales.

Usted puede obtener el folato comiendo vegetales de hoja verde e hígado.

Las causas de la deficiencia de folato son:

  • Ciertos medicamentos, como la fenitoína (Dilantin)
  • Enfermedades en las cuales el ácido fólico no se absorbe tan bien, como en la celiaquía (esprúe) o el alcoholismo
  • Consumir alimentos demasiado cocidos
  • Alimentación deficiente (con frecuencia se observa en personas pobres, ancianos y personas que no comen frutas o verduras frescas)
  • Necesidades de ácido fólico en exceso durante el tercer trimestre del embarazo
  • Anemia hemolítica
  • Reviewed last on: 6/14/2011
  • A.D.A.M. Editorial Team: David Zieve, MD, MHA, and David R. Eltz. Previously reviewed by David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine; and Yi-Bin Chen, MD, Leukemia/Bone Marrow Transplant Program, Massachusetts General Hospital (8/9/2009).

Referencias

Antony AC. Megaloblastic anemias. In: Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007:chap 170.

Hamrick I, Counts SH. Vitamin and mineral supplements. Wellness and Prevention. 2008;35:729-747.

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