Folate deficiency can cause anemia, and that can lead to a host of issues, according to medical experts who warn that these persistent physical symptoms should not be ignored. While true folate deficiency is rare in the United States due to widespread food fortification, specific populations face elevated risks that require clinical evaluation and dietary adjustments.
Understanding Folate Deficiency Symptoms and Anemia Risks
Pinpointing the root cause of fatigue involves looking beyond common culprits like iron or protein intake to evaluate vitamin levels.
“Folate is essential for making healthy red blood cells. That’s why people often feel tired, weak or short of breath,” Hindiyeh told HuffPost. Over time, this depletion can trigger headaches and cognitive problems. “When someone becomes anemic, they may develop symptoms like fatigue, weakness and sometimes headache.”
Long-Term Brain Health and Cognitive Impacts
Folate deficiency can negatively impact brain health long term, too, especially when it comes to memory. Hindiyeh shared that “Folate is important for normal brain function, so severe deficiency has been associated with cognitive changes. But memory is complicated,” and explained that while a folate deficiency wouldn’t be the first factor she would consider if someone was experiencing memory problems, it certainly can be a piece of the puzzle and shouldn’t be overlooked.
Did You Know?
Who Faces the Highest Risk of Deficiency?
Both neurologists told HuffPost that having a folate deficiency is rare.
Despite abundant foods, some people are still at risk for having a folate deficiency. Hindiyeh added to this, saying, “Chronic heavy alcohol use can interfere with folate in several ways. Those factors together increase the risk of deficiency.”
Dietary Guidelines and Testing Recommendations
Again, most people in the U.S. get enough folate through their diet and are not deficient. Registered dietitian Amy Brownstein told HuffPost that “Eating a varied diet helps ensure sufficient folate intake,” noting that folate exists in a variety of foods, including many plant foods, dairy, fish and animal products, with the best sources including black-eyed peas, boiled spinach and fortified breakfast cereals.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the primary signs of a folate deficiency?
Folate deficiency can cause anemia, and that can lead to a host of issues including fatigue, weakness, shortness of breath, headaches, and cognitive issues.
How is a folate deficiency diagnosed?
Ask your healthcare provider for a serum folate test, a simple blood test that measures how much folate is in your blood at that current moment.
Can you consume too much folate?
Who should take a folate supplement?
To share your thoughts on this report, explore more nutritional health insights, or subscribe to our newsletter for ongoing medical updates, please leave a comment below.