7 signs of folate deficiency your body may be showing
Headaches, mouth ulcers, tingling hands: seven signs of folate deficiency that often get brushed off, and the foods that quietly fix the gap.
Fresh TL;DR: Folate, also called folic acid or vitamin B9, is essential for cardiovascular and nervous system health. Its absence can trigger seven surprisingly common signs: headaches, shortness of breath, low mood, digestive upset, mouth ulcers, tingling hands and feet, and palpitations. Beans, lentils, greens and a few other everyday foods quietly fill the gap.
If you have any of these 7 signs, you may have folate deficiency. Folic acid, also called folate, methylfolate, or vitamin B9, is an essential vitamin for our body. Many pregnant women take it since folic acid helps in many essential body processes for fetal formation.
And more: it is necessary for cardiovascular health and the nervous system. With so many benefits to our body, the lack of folic acid can be quite harmful. So, pay attention to these 7 signs of folate deficiency.
1. Frequent, intense headaches
Do you suffer from frequent and intense headaches? The cause for it might be the lack of folic acid. Folate deficiency interrupts the oxygen supply to the brain. And this is directly linked to the lungs. The consequence is shortness of breath and chest tightness.
2. Mood, memory and concentration
Who could imagine that folate deficiency affects our mental health? Its lack can cause depression, weak memory, and poor concentration.
3. Digestive issues
Severe digestive issues, such as diarrhea, acute stomachache, vomiting, and nausea are other signs of folate deficiency.
4. Weakness and mouth ulcers
Two seemingly uncommon signs the body gives when lacking folic acid are weakness and mouth ulcers. In addition, folate deficiency also causes fatigue, pale skin, pain in the mouth, and swollen tongue.
5. Numbness or tingling in hands and feet
Another common sign of folate deficiency, which usually goes unnoticed by most people, is the numbness or tingling sensation in hands and feet.
6. Palpitations and cognitive issues
Palpitations are another signal of folate deficiency and can cause many cognitive issues, such as generalized anxiety disorder and ringing in the ears.
7. How to get enough folate through food
To make sure you have enough folic acid, eat beans, lentils, peas, beets, broccoli, brussels sprouts, and spinach, which are rich in folate. The vitamin is also found in most green-leaf vegetables and breakfast cereals.
The takeaway
Folate sits quietly behind a lot of everyday complaints: the headache you can’t shake, the mouth ulcer that keeps coming back, the low mood that feels like it has no cause. The fix is not exotic. Beans, lentils, peas, beets, broccoli, brussels sprouts and spinach do most of the work. If any of these seven signs feel familiar, worth a closer look. If you want more of this kind of gentle, food-first guidance, the newsletter lands in your inbox every Friday.
Frequently asked questions
What is folic acid and why does the body need it?
Folic acid, also called folate, methylfolate, or vitamin B9, is an essential vitamin for our body. It is necessary for cardiovascular health and the nervous system, and it helps in many essential body processes for fetal formation, which is why many pregnant women take it.
Can folate deficiency cause headaches?
Yes. Folate deficiency interrupts the oxygen supply to the brain, which is directly linked to the lungs. The consequence is shortness of breath and chest tightness, and the headache that goes with it.
Does a lack of folate affect mental health?
It can. A lack of folic acid can cause depression, weak memory, and poor concentration. It can also contribute to generalized anxiety disorder and ringing in the ears through palpitations.
Which foods are highest in folate?
Beans, lentils, peas, beets, broccoli, brussels sprouts, and spinach are rich in folate. The vitamin is also found in most green-leaf vegetables and breakfast cereals.
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