Are you tired of taking your daily folic acid supplements on an empty stomach? You're not alone. Many people wonder if they need to pair their tablets with food or drinks to maximize their absorption and effectiveness. And for good reason - adequate folic acid intake is necessary for healthy cell growth and development, making it an important nutrient for everyone.
In this article, we'll dive into the science behind folic acid supplementation and its absorption, explore whether pairing this B-vitamin with food can make a significant impact on its bioavailability, and provide some tips on how to get the most out of your folic acid supplement long after mealtime.
What is Folic Acid?
Before we go any further, let's establish what exactly folic acid is. Also known as folate or vitamin B9, it's a water-soluble vitamin that's found naturally in many foods such as leafy greens (spinach), fruits (oranges), beans & legumes (lentils), nuts/seeds(beets) , etc., but can also be synthesized in laboratories and used in dietary supplements like multivitamins or standalone formulas.
Folate/folic acid plays numerous roles within the body including nucleotide biosynthesis(read: creating DNA/RNA building blocks) which means it's essential during periods when cells are growing rapidly such as infancy/childhood/pregnancy/adulthood! Making sure you have enough throughout each stage is critical not just in terms of avoiding illness disease related consequence like Neural Tube Defects but also maximizing gene function so don't skimp!
The human digestive system is made up of several organs/tissues that work together to break down complex nutrients into smaller molecules for easier processing by our bodies' cells. When we consume vitamins through dietary sources such as whole foods/supplements/beverages, our digestive tract has the job of breaking down these forms into their absorbable counterparts that can pass through intestinal walls and into systemic circulation for use.
Folic acid/folate is no exception. In fact, unlike some other nutrients/vitamins in tablet form, it's between 85-100% bioavailable by itself when we consume it which happens to be fairly high so why bother ! But having said that a few factors may hinder its absorbency such as unmetabolized folic acid and genetic variations called MTHFR mutation along with short-sighted diets without enough whole sources(can't live off of pizzas all day everyday!). Nonetheless as long as you're getting a reliable source then absorption shouldn't be much of an issue against pairing any particular food item.
Pairing Folic Acid With Food
So should you still take your folic acid pills on an empty stomach or does eating alongside make more sense? Well, It depends but not really. According to most doctors/ registered dieticians (RDs) there doesn’t seem to be any practical evidence specifically suggesting either method; Infact clinical trials are somewhat inconclusive about whether eating with supplements is necessary at all!
However choosing or avoiding certain foods could affect how well/poorly folate gets absorbed depending primarily on the presence of other complementary/highly nutritious companions(food elements "facilitating" nutrient uptake during simultaneous ingestion); this generally corresponds with consuming larger amounts per meal i.e greens/seeds/nuts/beans!. These include:
- Vitamin C: Found in citrus fruits/bell peppers/tomatoes/dark berries etc.
- Vitamin B12: Present mainly in animal derived products e.g dairy/meat/quail eggs/ crab -Fat Absorption : Certain kinds like monounsaturated fat/oil found nutsl seeds/perilla tea/Greek yoghurt etc
There is some belief that synthetic folic acid may impair the body's ability to efficiently absorb its naturally occurring counterpart, folate, although this isn't exactly supported by strong literature.
On the other hand consuming food alongside pills limits potential gut irritation which can be seriously uncomfortable if your stomach is already a bit sensitive anyhow; Another definitive plus of pairing any pill with food especially for people who may have Hypothyroidism/Celiac's disease/Irritable Bowel Syndrome(IBS).
The Takeaway
In general, whether or not you consume folic acid/folate supplements alongside meals seems not to matter as far we know based on research . However adding foods with prominent nutrients such as Vitamin C/B12/some good fats etc could potentially boost absorption and also help control gastrointestinal discomfort. Neglecting natural dietary sources in favour of haphazardly snacking fits more into an unhealthy lifestyle choice rather than creating nutritional benefits overall— emphasis on balanced diet!
Ultimately when it comes down this question however : “Should folic acid be taken with or without food?” the answer boils down simply DOESN'T REALLY MATTER either way — as long as you're making sure to get enough daily intake (400mcg/day minimum), then go ahead and pop your supplement at whatever time suits you best!
Fall In Love With Folic Acid!
Sometimes hailed as "the fertility vitamin," folic acid has entered that important household staple category along side other celebrities like chocolate milk/warm oats soup/mango margarita (you name it!). This bioavailable powerhouse nutrient has numerous benefits ranging from impeding brain/heart related illnesses in young children/upgrading immunity/reducing likelihood of colorectal cancer/reversing age induced cognitive decline among others! So give this wonder what it deserves - pair it up(meaning pair liverMushrooms/broccoli/asparagus/chickpeas) with various WHOLE FOOD companions but don’t fret over it, sometimes the best thing to do is just swallow them pills with water and be done with it.
Tips for Taking Folic Acid Supplements
In order to ensure you're getting the most out of your folic acid supplement, there are a few things you can do. Here are some tips:
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Take your supplements regularly: Whether or not you decide to take your folic acid alongside meals or on an empty stomach, consistency is key factor so as have desired benefit over time.
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Pairing might help; but overall quality diet choices including moderate exercise frequently is foremost important in mobilizing nutrients stored/absorbed in a useful way!
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Don't skimp on natural sources: Supplemental folate/folic acid shouldn't be relied upon solely as primary intake . Include rich foodstuffs like whole grains/greens/nuts/seeds/etc , these foods often come packed with other essential vitamins & minerals that contribute too maintaining proper functions throughout!
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Follow dosage instructions carefully: This vitamin has been deemed safe for consumption up-to 1000mcg/day (micrograms) {you may exceed this number slightly while pregnant due increased body demand}, if thinking about taking more always consult doctor before making any major changes.
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Store properly : keeping Your folic acids in cool dry environment away from direct sunlight/heat will increase its shelf life which ensures integrity of molecules intact thereby giving optimal output through daily usage !
The Bottom Line
At the end of the day when it comes down optimizing health via nutrient source alone- food still trumps supplementation ...there’s no escape from basic nutrition principles here friends haha...but having said that now we hope everyone weighs their goods(Think Beans/carrots/kale/lamb/beetroot cooked creatively) equally in terms importance by following sound science recommendations wherever possible(not bro-science ya'll). So gobble up those greens/highly nutritious sources full of folic acid paired solo or with true friends, it doesn't really matter as long you prioritizing getting ample amounts over the course your daily intake.