Folate, also called vitamin B9, is one of the several essential B vitamins the body requires for optimum function. Vitamin B9 is water soluble and present in many foods. Common folate sources include chickpeas, lentils, eggs, sunflower seeds, peanuts, beans such as kidney beans and edamame beans, and dark-green leafy vegetables.
Why is folate essential?
Folate has several important functions in the body, such as:
Homocysteine regulation
Homocysteine is an amino acid used for tissue growth and maintenance, and protein production. Excess levels of homocysteine can increase the risk of stroke diseases of the blood vessels in the legs, feet, and arms and some types of heart diseases.
DNA protection and replication
Folate is necessary for cell growth and division, such as red blood cell production, hair and nail growth, and sperm production
Pre-conception and pregnancy
Folate helps prevent the baby from developing neural tube defects such as spina bifida.
Folate also aids in white and red blood cell production
What is folic acid?
Folic acid is the synthesised equivalent of folate made in labs. It is available in fortified foods such as cereals, milk, and supplements. This makes folic acid the supplemental form of folate, but folate from foods and the synthesised variant have a key difference.
What is the difference between folic acid and folate?
Folate is a naturally occurring vitamin in foods, while folic acid is the synthesised variant of folate found in supplements and fortified foods.
Unlike folate, your digestive system will not convert most of the folic acid in your body to the active form (folate or vitamin B9), the form of folate used for cell growth and red blood cell formation.
Although folic acid doesn’t get converted in the digestive system, it is converted in the liver and other tissues, but this process is slow and inefficient.
Taking folic acid supplements is the best way for some people to get enough folate for body function, especially during pregnancy or in people with malabsorption.
Can I have folate deficiency?
Since folate is present in many foods, most people do not develop folate deficiency if the diet is varied and nutritious. However, some conditions can increase your risk of folate deficiency.
These conditions include:
Pregnancy
Alcoholism
Genetics – people with a variant gene of MTHFR cannot convert folate to its active form
Gut immune conditions such as inflammatory bowel disease and coeliac disease
The risk of folate deficiency increases as you grow older, and this condition is more common in people over 65 years.
Do I need a folic acid supplement?
Most people do not need folic acid supplements, especially if their diet is healthy and balanced. However, if you are trying to have a baby, are pregnant or could get pregnant, healthcare professionals recommend taking 400mc supplements until 12 weeks of the pregnancy. People with a high risk of neural tube defect need a higher dose of folic acid.
If you take supplements, try not to take too much of them to prevent adverse effects. Folic acid doses up to 1mg are less likely to be harmful, but higher doses can prevent the symptoms of vitamin B12, which may result in long-term nerve problems.
A folate blood test is necessary to check your current folate levels and monitor your folate levels if you take supplements. You can visit Private Blood Tests London for a folate blood test or call us on 02071830244 to schedule an appointment for your test.
Please call 020 71830244 to book this test or fill in the form and one of our team members arrange this test for you.
Online booking is not available for this blood test, you need to call 020 71830244 also not available on Saturday and Sunday. ONLY during the week.
BRONZE STD CHECK
BRONZE STD CHECK
Tests for the most common sexual transmitted diseases to give an overview of sexual health. Suitable for: Sexually active people with no symptoms or risk factors looking to monitor or maintain good sexual health.
Urine test for: Chlamydia and Gonorrhoea
Blood test for: Syphillis, HIV I & II Antibodies
The urine tests we use are PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) tests, the industry-wide standard for fast and accurate test results without the need for multiple samples.
SILVER STD CHECK
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Tests for all of the most common sexual transmitted diseases, including herpes and bacterial investigations for women.
Suitable for: Sexually active people looking to have a more comprehensive insight into their sexual health.
Urine test or self-taken swab for: Chlamydia, Gonorrhoea, Mycoplasma, Trichomoniasis, Non-specific Ureaplasma, Gardnerella and Herpes I & II.
Seven investigations from a single urine sample
Blood test for: Syphillis, HIV I & II Antibodies
Females - one bacterial swab for Candida and Bacterial Vaginosis
Patients can self swab or a chaperoned staff member is available
GOLD STD CHECK
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Suitable for: Patients who are showing symptoms of a sexually transmitted disease. A full diagnostic of all major sexually transmitted infections to identify and treat sexual health problems.
Urine test for: Chlamydia, Gonorrhoea, Mycoplasma, Trichomoniasis, Ureaplasma, Gardenerella and Herpes I & II
Blood Test for: Syphillis, HIV I & II, Hepatitis B & C
Genital Swab for: Candida, Bacteria, Fungi, Trichomoniasis, Ureaplasma and Gardnella (for women only)
PLATINUM STD CHECK
PLATINUM STD CHECK
The most comprehensive sexual health screening package we offer at our clinic in London.
Suitable for: Those looking for a guarantee of complete sexual health.
Urine test for: Chlamydia, Gonorrhoea, Mycoplasma, Trichomoniasis, Ureaplasma, Gardenerella and Herpes I & II
Blood Test for: Syphillis, HIV I & II, Hepatitis B & C
Genital Swab for: Candida, Bacteria, Fungi, Trichomoniasis, Ureaplasma and Gardnella (for women only)
This package also includes HPV (Human Papillomavirus) check. Types of sexually transmitted Infection (STIs) diseases and symptoms.
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