Folic acid is one of the vitamins that not only take an active part in vital metabolic processes, but also increase their rate. Since this vitamin helps improve the quality and speed of metabolic processes, folic acid is an essential element for effectively preventing the accumulation of fat deposits, bringing a person’s weight back to normal. It is noteworthy that similar properties of this element have been known for a long time, but in practice, folic acid has been used for weight loss relatively recently.
Previously, this drug was prescribed exclusively to women during pregnancy, since the elements of this product promote proper intrauterine development. However, research by nutritionists confirming the benefits and effectiveness of folic acid has created a real sensation, greatly increasing the number of cases of using folic acid for weight loss.
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How does vitamin B9 work?
Before you take folic acid, you need to understand how it works. You should not hope that after taking it you will begin to lose excess weight sharply.
According to reviews, folic acid for weight loss can normalize or speed up many processes. Taking it can have a positive effect on metabolism and the breakdown of fat deposits, which will reduce the volume of problem areas. With its help, the body quickly gets rid of decay products, toxins and other harmful substances.
The main role of vitamin B9 occurs when there is a deficiency in the body of glucose, which is involved in energy production.
Folic acid also takes part in lipolysis (the breakdown of fats) and their removal from the body.
People who take this vitamin should understand that it is not a panacea. It does not suppress appetite, does not act as a diuretic or laxative.
However, folic acid can relieve depression. These people usually have elevated levels of the amino acid homocysteine. Vitamin B9 provokes its breakdown, improves mood and interest in life.
How to take for weight loss
Not only women, but also many men are attracted by the opportunity to quickly lose ten or more kilograms, look slim and fit, and increase their vitality. Taking vitamin B9 can help solve the problem of excess weight, but you need to drink it correctly, always combining it with a reasonable diet and regular exercise. Doctors categorically do not recommend prescribing medications on your own, but in order to lose weight, you can try feeding your body with vitamins.
Dosage
The daily requirement of the human body for folic acid is approximately 200 mcg. If we take into account that we get some part (no more than 50 mcg) of this biologically active substance from products, then for normal well-being and weight loss we need to make up for the missing part of the norm, that is, approximately 150 mcg. If you translate this into tablets, you get 1-1.5 tablets per day. In reviews of girls losing weight with the help of such a pharmaceutical product, you can also find references to doses of 5-6 tablets per day. However, such an amount of the drug is not necessary for weight loss.
How long can I take it?
A daily dose of the drug equal to 200 mcg of vitamin B9 is considered prophylactic, so you can take folic acid at this dosage for a long time. Doctors say that in reasonable quantities, folic acid will only benefit the body and contribute to weight loss. However, it should be taken into account that long-term use of the drug can cause hypervitaminosis, which can also negatively affect the overall health. Therefore, it is advisable to take the drug for weight loss in courses of three weeks with weekly breaks.
What foods should be in your diet when losing weight?
Vitamin B9 is partially destroyed during prolonged heat treatment. In the process of losing weight, you need to give preference to dishes made from fresh vegetables and fruits. It is recommended to pre-soak cereals before preparing various dishes.
The strawberry diet is suitable only for those representatives of the fair sex who do not have a tendency to allergies. This method of losing weight helps you get rid of 3-4 kg in 4 days.
The tasty fruit contains a large amount of folic acid, minerals and trace elements. Strawberries help strengthen the immune system and increase resistance to infectious diseases.
On the first day of the diet, it is recommended to eat 150 grams of fresh strawberries and drink 200 ml of low-fat kefir. You can add a small amount of honey to the drink.
Lunch consists of 150 grams of fresh berries, a portion of fresh vegetable salad, dressed with olive oil.
You can also add 100 grams of boiled chicken fillet to your diet.
For an afternoon snack, it is recommended to eat a glass of fresh berries with a slice of bread made from rye flour. The daily dinner menu consists of the following products:
- Low-fat cottage cheese seasoned with a small amount of kefir;
The diet for the remaining three days of the strawberry diet is presented in the table below.
| Diet days | Breakfast | Dinner | Afternoon snack | Dinner |
| Second day of the diet | 200 grams of fresh strawberries, 2 slices of rye bread, low-fat kefir | 2 pancakes made from Lenten dough, with strawberry jam, 200 ml herbal tea | A small amount of fresh strawberries | A serving of coleslaw with olive oil, 200 ml strawberries, fruit juice |
| Third day of the diet | 0.2 kg strawberries, 2 rye bread toasts, green tea | A serving of fruit salad with melon, strawberry, banana, fruit juice | 100 grams of strawberries, 2 slices of rye bread | 100 grams of boiled potatoes, green tea |
| Fourth day of the diet | 50 grams of hard cheese, 150 grams of fresh berries | 0.1 kg boiled fish fillet, vegetable salad, 0.2 l fruit juice | Fresh berry serving | 150 grams of cabbage salad and lemon zest, dressed with vegetable oil, a portion of fresh strawberries, 200 ml of green tea |
1. Lamb or veal liver (330-400 mcg);
2. Peanuts (240 mcg per 100 grams);
3. Seeds (227 mcg);
4. Soy (200 mcg);
5. Dried porcini mushrooms (140 mcg);
6. Spinach (140 mcg);
Doctors' opinions
In order not to give anyone vain hopes, doctors say: folic acid is effective in combating extra pounds only if obesity is caused by a lack of this substance in the body.
This means that fat reserves will gradually accumulate and create unnecessary ballast in the form of excess weight. To get rid of it, folic acid is used, although it began to act in this capacity not so long ago. Initially, it was attributed exclusively to protective functions and benefits for the intrauterine development of the fetus.
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Overdose and side effects
Following the instructions while taking vitamins is simply necessary; it is important not to exceed the daily requirement. Only your doctor will tell you how to take vitamin B9, since each case is individual. The norm is different for adults and children. This is due to the amount consumed per day by the body. Further, the dosage is indicated in mcg, although 1 mg is 1000 mcg. Regardless of the reason for using vitamin B9, the average dosage is:
- up to a year from 40 to 60
- from 1 to 3 years up to 100
- from 4 to 12 years 200
- from 13 to 18 years old up to 300
- from 18 years 400
- for pregnant women 600
- nursing mothers 500.
If you take the vitamin for a long time, its side effects may appear:
- this may result in displacement of vitamins
- allergic reaction
- pernicious anemia
- The epithelium in the kidney tubules increases.
Side effects also occur as a result of exceeding the required daily intake of the vitamin. On this basis it is noted:
- frequent seizures
- sleep problems
- diarrhea and constipation
- nausea and vomiting
- excessive excitability
- pain in the abdominal area.
If any of the above symptoms occur, you should immediately seek help from a specialist. At the same time, he will tell you how to continue taking folic acid for weight loss; the dosage may be lowered for a while, or for some time it will be completely excluded from the course of treatment.
Indications for use and dosage
Drinking folic acid is prescribed in the following cases:
- during daily physical activity;
- as a preventive measure to preserve youth;
- for weight loss;
- in the presence of anemia;
- during lactation.
The dosage of the drug is calculated for each person individually. Most often, the drug is prescribed in amounts from 200 to 400 mcg for women. For men, the norm will be much higher, depending on weight.
Do not forget that the vitamin obtained from food is only half absorbed. Therefore, in case of severe deficiency, for greater benefit, you need to take the drug in tablet form.
Most often, people gain weight from folic acid due to eating disorders. If your daily diet contains a large amount of saturated fat, then taking vitamin complexes can provoke additional weight gain.
Contraindications
According to reviews, folic acid for weight loss is not suitable for everyone. This is due to the occurrence of contraindications.
These include:
- Deficiency of vitamin B12 in the body.
- Bronchial asthma.
- Individual intolerance.
- Disturbance of iron metabolism in the body.
- Lack of sucrose or fructose intolerance.
- Renal failure and pyelonephritis.
- Frequent occurrence of allergic reactions.
- Excessive deposition of hemosiderin in the body.
How to take folic acid for weight loss? Reviews from girls claim that vitamin B9 is not a completely harmless drug. Therefore, its uncontrolled use should not be allowed. As a result, this can lead to the following adverse reactions:
- Allergic manifestations (rash, itching, redness).
- Anemia.
- Sleep disturbance.
- Excessive irritability or emotionality.
- Disruption of the gastrointestinal tract.
- Weakness and other ailments.
- Flatulence, nausea, diarrhea.
- Abdominal pain.
Not so long ago, experts began to suspect the effect of an overdose of folic acid on the development of malignant neoplasms. Scientists are testing this possibility.
Effect of acid on the body
Since the introduction of folic acid on the pharmaceutical market to the present day, it has been considered the main means of medicinal support for the body of a pregnant woman. At the same time, experience and practice have proven that taking it can promote weight loss. However, this product has individual characteristics that should definitely be taken into account.
First of all, folic acid has a special mechanism of action on the body during weight loss. This is due to the fact that this substance does not belong to the group of laxatives and diuretics, and also does not suppress appetite. Its effect is gentler and safer than that of weight loss drugs, but this affects the rate of weight loss.
The effectiveness of this acid is due to its properties:
- increasing the speed of metabolic processes;
- accelerating the rate of decomposition and burning of fat deposits;
- promoting the removal of breakdown products from the liver;
- removal from the body of a complex of harmful and dangerous substances and microelements.
Due to such a wide range of properties, folic acid is quite actively and effectively used for weight loss and weight maintenance. However, it is important to note that the safety and effectiveness of administration directly depend on compliance with the requirements and regulations of a particular pharmaceutical product containing folate.
It is noteworthy that folic acid is absolutely ineffective for weight loss if weight problems are associated with serious illnesses or hormonal imbalances.
The process of losing weight with vitamin B9
Nutritionists, having adopted folic acid, base their decision on the fact that the use of additional vitamin complexes, in addition to those that enter the body naturally, will activate metabolism. In addition, as a result of therapy, the process of breaking down fatty deposits into alcohols and fatty acids is launched. Then the breakdown products naturally leave the body, and the person is able to lose weight.
Of course, taking vitamin B9 alone will not cope with the task of losing weight, so it should be in addition to diet, taking nutritional supplements, consuming other vitamins and physical activity. The desired results can only be achieved using an integrated approach.
In addition to consuming vitamin complexes, in order for folic acid to enter the body, you need to consume foods that contain it:
- Greens, including lettuce and spinach
- Broccoli and kale
- Seeds, beans, green peas and asparagus
- Mushrooms, potatoes, turnips
- Sprouted wheat, corn and millet
- Almonds, figs and dates
- Citrus fruits, melon and bananas
- Juices, orange, tomato and pineapple are best
- Brewer's yeast and pasta, the latter only permitted if made from durum wheat
- Meat and other animal organs such as kidneys, liver, heart and seafood.
B9 is a safe vitamin, but experts do not recommend taking it for a long time. Folic acid with diet and other measures is not recommended for use if allergies, bronchial asthma and diseases affecting the kidneys are noted.
The effect of B9 on excess weight
Vitamin B9 has a number of beneficial properties. Some of them help you lose weight:
- the substance improves metabolism;
- promotes the breakdown of fat deposits;
- removes harmful compounds from the body.
Folic acid is not intended for weight loss, however, it is quite suitable for such purposes. Only as an assistant. This means that without following a diet and regular exercise, B9 is unlikely to cope with the problem.
Interesting to know! Before resorting to folic acid for weight loss, it is necessary to find out the cause of obesity. The supplement will not help in all cases. Hormonal imbalance and a number of certain diseases are not affected by B9.
Have you gained extra pounds due to a slow metabolism? Then folic acid is just what you need.
For more information about the benefits of the vitamin, watch the video:
Results reported by users
According to reviews, the method of using folic acid for weight loss. The result largely depends on the set of measures that are used during weight loss.
Folic acid should be taken with proper nutrition and exercise. Sometimes girls manage to lose up to 3-4 kg per week.
If the cause of obesity is hormonal changes or genetic predisposition, then a positive result cannot be achieved.
Indications
Necessary at the planning stage and during pregnancy, it helps to avoid oxygen starvation of the fetus and reduce the risk of developmental pathologies.
Recommended for intense physical activity, prevention of Alzheimer's disease, mental fatigue, struggle to maintain youthful skin, prevention of age-related changes in the retina, treatment of anemia.
Reduces the risk of defects in the development of the neural tube of the fetus in the first weeks of pregnancy. Fights malabsorption syndrome, in which the absorption of vitamins, minerals and nutrients from the small intestine is impaired.
Folic acid is also indicated for use throughout the entire period of breastfeeding; patients taking antiepileptic therapy and contraceptive hormonal drugs.
Expert advice
What do doctors say about taking folic acid for weight loss? The reviews state that the following must be taken into account:
- To prevent the absorption of vitamin B9 in the body from deteriorating, it is not recommended to take it together with antibiotics or other incompatible drugs.
- It is important to get advice from a specialist about the effectiveness of such weight loss and be sure to take their recommendations into account.
- Folic acid is taken with or after meals. The capsule or tablet is swallowed whole; crushing is not recommended. It is best to drink it with clean, still water.
- You can take several weight loss courses, but between them you need to take a break of 2-3 weeks.
- You will not be able to achieve positive weight loss results if you take only folic acid. You should do a lot of physical exercise and eat right.
- There is no need to take vitamin B9 if there are contraindications.
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Experts advise taking the right approach to taking vitamins, having initially received the necessary consultation.
What it is?
Folic acid is called vitamin B9 , which is necessary for living organisms for the normal functioning of the circulatory and immune systems. This is a crystalline powder of yellow-orange shades, it dissolves in an alkaline medium, but is quite resistant to water and alcohols.
The study of the vitamin began in the 1930s. It turned out that yeast extract helps pregnant women against anemia. To understand which component is responsible for this, the product was literally “disassembled” into molecules and the “hero of the day” was found - folic acid.
In 1945, it was first possible to synthesize it artificially. Interestingly, in the food industry of a number of countries, mandatory fortification of products with vitamin B9 was subsequently introduced.
In nature, this important component is found in:
- green crops;
- broccoli;
- leguminous plants;
- mushrooms;
- potatoes;
- fruits (melons, citrus fruits);
- dried fruits (dates);
- nuts;
- fish and seafood;
- liver, kidneys.
It is important to keep in mind that during the cooking process (when heated), some of the vitamins are destroyed.
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Folic acid for weight loss: how the famous vitamin for pregnant women promotes weight loss
The use of folic acid for weight loss normalizes metabolic reactions in the body and accelerates the process of fat breakdown.
Before using this substance, you should figure out what dosage to take it. According to experts, a sufficient dose is 200-300 mcg. To speed up metabolism, B9 can be taken together with vitamin C and B12. Usually, in case of obesity, a specialist prescribes their use for 1.5-2 months.
The drug is taken after meals, 1-2 mg. In case of severe deficiency of vitamin B9, the doctor prescribes up to 5 mg. In total, the body needs 200 mcg of this substance. 50 mcg of it comes with food, and the rest is recommended to be replenished with tablets (1-1.5 pieces per day).
If the cause of excess weight is hormonal imbalance or genetic predisposition, then taking vitamin B9 will not have any benefit.
How to take folic acid for weight loss? If taking it for weight loss is combined with sports, then the dosage should be different. B9 helps bodybuilders activate protein synthesis, which will lead to the gain and retention of muscle mass.
Folic acid reduces the recovery period after training and is a means of preventing injuries and stretch marks. It also prevents loss of strength and fatigue.
As a result of taking vitamin B9, it is possible to lengthen your workout time. Depending on the muscle mass gained, you can increase the number of sessions and their intensity. To do this, the drug intake is increased to 600 mcg.
Basically, this dosage is divided into 3 doses. It is advisable to adhere to this particular sequence in order to obtain maximum absorption of the vitamin.
B9 is one of the few vitamins that are not just active participants in metabolic processes in the body, but their catalysts. Without them, slow metabolism with lipolysis will not accelerate. This means that fat reserves will gradually accumulate and create unnecessary ballast in the form of excess weight. To get rid of it, folic acid is used, although it began to act in this capacity not so long ago.
Initially, it was attributed exclusively to protective functions and benefits for the intrauterine development of the fetus. The modern fashion for slim figures dictates its own conditions - and now folates are being bought up from pharmacy shelves in order to see a decrease in the cherished numbers on the scales.
Mechanism of weight loss
From time immemorial, folic acid has been perceived as a vitamin for pregnant women. And now, it turns out, it can even be used for weight loss. However, first you should figure out how it contributes to it, so as not to entertain vain illusions.
It is neither a fat burner, nor a laxative or diuretic, nor an appetite suppressant. Therefore, you should not hope that you will be able to immediately get rid of 5 kg in a week. It’s great if you lose at least a couple of kilograms - and this is already quite possible, because this substance:
- is a catalyst for metabolism;
- accelerates lipolysis, due to which fats are broken down into alcohols and fatty acids;
- forces the body to burn its own fat reserves;
- helps the liver get rid of fat breakdown products;
- removes a lot of harmful substances from the body.
So folic acid, despite its slightly different purpose, can still promote weight loss. True, for this you need to adhere to a number of recommendations and strictly follow the instructions for using a particular folate-containing drug.
At the same time, you need to understand that if excess weight is dictated not by a slow metabolism, but, for example, by hormonal imbalance or a serious illness, vitamin B9 will not be able to help you lose weight.
Etymology. The term "folic" comes from the Latin word "folium", which translates as "leaf". This fact is explained by the fact that the vitamin was first discovered in leafy vegetables.
Methods of application
Folic acid can be purchased in capsules, tablets, or powder. Each of these release forms can be used as a means of losing weight. You just need to choose the method of application.
Drugs
The most logical thing to start with is to go to the pharmacy, where you can purchase the coveted drug. Advantages: the product is certified, high-quality, and has medicinal properties.
Folates are produced by different brands, the price range is the widest. Just choose what you feel most comfortable taking. A little rating will point you in the right direction.
- Folate tablets from Solgar (USA). $18.8.
- Folic Acid is a dietary supplement from Solgar (USA). $13.5.
- Folacin - for the health of mother and baby from Solgar (USA). $13.2.
- Prenatal Vitrum with folic acid tablets (USA). $11.9.
- Now Folic Acid from Folic Acid. $6.7.
- Folic acid and rutin with vitamins B6, B12 from Blagomax (Russia). $3.8.
- With vitamins B12 and C from Blagomax (Russia). $2.6.
- Vitamin B9 in capsules from the company Blagomin (Russia). $2.5.
- Folacin, Askofol, Foliber, Mamifol - tablets from different manufacturers. $1-5.
- Folic acid is included in almost all multivitamin complexes (Alphavit, Duovit, Multi-Tabs, Centrum, Elevit, etc.). $2-15.
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Note: for weight loss you can even use those drugs that are intended for pregnant women. They are of high quality and contain the necessary daily dosage to normalize all metabolic processes in the body.
Most of these drugs can be purchased at the pharmacy. Almost all of them are freely available and can be ordered in online stores. The main thing is to try not to fall for a fake.
Products
There are people who are skeptical of modern pharmaceuticals and prefer to lose weight with natural folic acid, which is found in large quantities in various foods. Indeed, if you include them in your diet, your body will receive the required amount of vitamin B9 and will no longer suffer from slow metabolism.
Its main sources are:
- greens: lettuce, spinach, parsley, onion;
- cereals: rice, oatmeal, pearl barley, barley, buckwheat;
- corn;
- vegetables: tomatoes, legumes (beans, beans, lentils), cabbage (cauliflower, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage);
- nuts: hazelnuts, pistachios, hazels, almonds, walnuts, peanuts, cashews;
- beef, pork, chicken, cod liver;
- flax seeds, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, sesame seeds;
- asparagus;
- fruits and berries: pears, apples, avocados, currants, apricots, strawberries, watermelons, bananas, kiwis, grapes, pomegranates, papaya, raspberries;
- whole grains: buckwheat, rye, wheat, grain bread;
- citrus fruits: orange, lemon, mineola;
- eggs.
folic acid in food
Note: under the influence of heat treatment, folic acid tends to be destroyed, so these products should be eaten fresh and raw. And if there are no problems with fruits and vegetables, then eating raw eggs can lead to salmonellosis, but this is generally impossible with the liver. As for cereals, they will have to be soaked in the evening.
So vitamin B9 allows you to lose weight in different ways: if you want, here are capsules, if you don’t want, here are leafy vegetables and fruits. True, you shouldn’t hope for a stunning effect in both cases. But additionally strengthen your immune system and protect your reproductive system from diseases.
Keep in mind. When losing weight with folic acid, you should not take antibiotics and many other medications, as they impair the absorption of the vitamin into the blood.
Recommendations
Folic acid is a medicine or dietary supplement, and each of the drugs is accompanied by instructions for use, which must indicate the dosage (how many capsules should be taken per day and for how long). The instructions given by the manufacturer should not be ignored to prevent overdose.
General recommendations from nutritionists will help you avoid mistakes in application and achieve the desired result in the shortest possible time.
Before losing weight, you need to consult your doctor and get his permission to do so.
You cannot combine taking vitamin B9 with certain medications that reduce its concentration in the blood and prevent complete absorption. These include oral contraceptives, sulfasalazine, aspirin, glucocorticosteroids, phenytoin, phenobarbital, primidone, barbiturates, as well as anti-tuberculosis and anti-malarial drugs.
Since the vitamin itself is not a fat burner and cannot be used as a medicine for weight loss, to achieve the desired effect you need to exercise and streamline your diet. You need to burn more calories than you consume.
Throughout the entire weight loss course, you need to drink 2-2.5 liters of water daily to accelerate metabolic processes even faster.
At the first side effects, use should be stopped.
Without it, they may slow down every year and this will contribute to weight gain. But it cannot be said that folates actively burn fat reserves, because they only trigger certain processes on which a slim figure depends.
So no one guarantees that these drugs will help you get rid of extra pounds 100%. Until you try it yourself, you won’t know.
Reviews
Many people take folic acid for weight loss. In reviews, people report that the result is especially noticeable when certain conditions are met. It is important that this occurs in conjunction with eating foods rich in vitamin B9 and exercising. Otherwise, it will not be possible to achieve a positive result.
Users write that folic acid is a very useful, inexpensive and accessible remedy for everyone. It is easy to take as the tablets are small. There are practically no negative reviews about this drug.
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