Folic acid

 

Folic acid is also often referred to as vitamin B9 or vitamin M. Researchers discovered the heat- and light-sensitive vitamin in 1911. It is vital for us humans and fulfills important functions in the body. For example, it plays an important role in cell division or cell regeneration, it participates in the formation of blood cells and helps to break down the amino acid homocysteine, which can have a negative influence on our cardiovascular system. We humans need to take this active continuously and regularly through food, as the body can only store very small amounts. Green leafy vegetables such as spinach are particularly rich in folic acid. This is also indicated by the name of the vitamin, because folic acid is derived from the Latin word “folium” (leaf). However, legumes such as soybeans and peas as well as whole grain products, egg yolks and liver also contain a high proportion of the vitamin. Children 13 years and older and adults should consume about 300 micrograms of folic acid daily. The requirement is significantly lower for infants and young children, but much higher for pregnant and breastfeeding women. Here, the German Nutrition Society recommends a daily intake of 550 and 450 micrograms, respectively.

 

Folic acid: for keeping our cells healthy

Even in western industrialized countries, an undersupply of vitamin M is not at all uncommon. Reasons include the use of certain medications, an unbalanced diet and alcohol abuse. The consequences of a deficiency become apparent with clear symptoms. Oral mucosal inflammation, gastrointestinal complaints, fatigue or exhaustion, and depressive moods are just a few examples. According to estimates, four out of five people in this country take too little folic acid. The reasons are obvious. Although it is perfectly possible to cover the entire requirement through food, most people eat too few vegetables and whole grain products. In addition, many consumers are unaware that the folic acid content of foods drops dramatically if they are stored or cooked for a long time. Fortunately, however, sufficient dietary supplements containing folic acid are now available. These are particularly often recommended to women who wish to have children and to pregnant women. A deficiency can have particularly serious consequences for these women, as it often results in severe developmental disorders of the child’s nervous system. In this context, the so-called “open back” (spina bifida) is particularly well known and dangerous.

However, hazards or risks of a possible overdose are not known so far. Although a complete systematic investigation is still pending for synthetic folic acid, studies have already shown that there are practically no side effects or undesirable symptoms in the case of overdoses.

 

Folic acid in cosmetics

Folic acid has also long since found its way into cosmetics. The vitamin is used particularly frequently in anti-aging and sun protection products and supports the skin’s regeneration process. At the same time, it protects against DNA damage, prevents moisture loss and ensures elasticity. Basically, cosmetic products with folic acid offer improved cell protection. The skin stays firmer longer and looks significantly younger when it is cared for with high-quality products containing folic acid. If the body lacks of this vitamin, the risk of defective or incomplete cell divisions increases rapidly. As damage to DNA inevitably occurs with age, ultimately leading to defective copies of cells, this vitamin is an important substance in the fight against unwanted wrinkles and skin aging.

In addition, studies have shown that folic acid can reduce the tendency to allergies and asthma. According to this study, people who pay special attention to an adequate intake of Vitamin B9 had a strikingly low IgE antibody level, which says nothing else than that these people are less prone to respiratory problems, asthma or allergic diseases.

 

Vitamin B9: also effective in hair care products

But the valuable vitamin can do even more. It also helps us to have healthy, shiny and strong hair, as it supports and stimulates cell division in the area of the head hair. Overall, the vitamin is thus a generator for various important growth processes, without which we could not exist in the long term. Since people usually only absorb an insufficient amount of this vitamin from food, dermatologists and doctors from other disciplines believe that there is nothing to be said against the use of cosmetic products or dietary supplements containing folic acid. This is especially true when the following aspect is taken into account: a cooking process of only two minutes destroys up to 90 percent of this vitamin contained in vegetables and other foods.

 

We like to work with these folic acid-containing agents:

Name	Supplier	INCI Name	Remarks
Folic Acid	DSM Personal Care	Folic Acid
Natori Vita Complex HD	Ecoori	Biotin , Panthenol , Thiamine HCl , Cyanocobalamin , Riboflavin , Pyridoxine , Folic Acid , Menadione , Bioflavonoids , Ascorbic Acid , Tocopheryl Acetate , Glutathione , 1,2-Hexanediol , Aqua
B9-Vitapol	LABIO. Co., Ltd.	Aqua , Butylene Glycol , Bacillus/Folic Acid Ferment Filtrate Extract , Sodium Hyaluronate
VB9-Plus	LABIO. Co., Ltd.	Aqua , Butylene Glycol , Bacillus/Folic Acid Ferment Filtrate Extract , Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate , Sodium Hyaluronate
BIO-Placenta	LABIO. Co., Ltd.	Aqua , Lecithin , Acetyl Glutamine , sh-Oligopeptide-1 , sh-Oligopeptide-2 , sh-Polypeptide-1 , sh-Polypeptide-9 , sh-Polypeptide-11 , Bacillus/Folic Acid Ferment Filtrate Extract , Sodium Hyaluronate , Caprylyl Glycol , Butylene Glycol

 

Folic acid: the often underestimated vitamin

Folic acid is often underestimated by consumers, but in fact it is one of the most valuable and important vitamins we know. Whether children or adults, a sufficient supply, which can only be guaranteed to a limited extent through the diet, is literally vital. Cosmetic products with folic acid additionally give us healthy firm skin and strong hair. If you are also interested in a development with folic acid, please feel free to ask us.

 

Literature

Vitamine ; Hans K. Biesalski, Jürgen Schrezenmeir, Peter Weber, Hubert E. Weiß, Thieme-Verlag

Blount, BC. Folate deficiency causes uracil misincorporation into human DNA and chromosomal breakage. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 94:3290-3295 (1997)

Kim, Yi et al. Folate deficiency in rats induces DNA strand breaks and hy- pomethylation within the p53 tumor suppressor gene. Am J Clin Nutr 65:46-52 (1997)

Krutmann, J. New developments in photo protection of human skin. Skin Pharmacol Appl Skin Physiol 14:401-407(2001)

Debowska, R et al. Folic Acid (folacin) – new application of cosmetic ingredient. Kosmetische Medizin 3: 123-129 (2005)

Debowska, R. et al. Protective effect of folacin on UVB-induced skin damage. 15th congress of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology, Rhodos (2006).

Knott, A et al. Folic Acid: cellular uptake and penetration into Human Skin. Journal of Investigative Dermatology 127:2463-2466 (2007)

Stable Liposome in Cosmetic Platforms for Transdermal Folic acid delivery for fortification and treatment of micronutrient deficiencies.

Kapoor MS, D’Souza A, Aibani N, Nair SS, Sandbhor P, Kumari D, Banerjee R.Sci Rep. 2018 Oct 31;8(1):16122

A Fast Strategy for Determination of Vitamin B₉ in Food and Pharmaceutical Samples Using an Ionic Liquid-Modified Nanostructure Voltammetric Sensor.

Khaleghi F, Irai AE, Sadeghi R, Gupta VK, Wen Y.Sensors (Basel). 2016 May 24;16(6):747