Dietary Causes Of Vitamin Folate Deficiency

• Inadequate intake of folate-rich foods: Folate is predominantly found in plant-based foods, such as leafy greens, legumes, and fortified cereals. If we don’t consume enough of these foods, our folate intake may be insufficient.
• Low consumption of fruits and vegetables: Fruits and vegetables are essential sources of folate. However, some people do not include a sufficient amount in their daily diet, which can contribute to folate deficiency.
• Poor diet choices and lack of variety: A diet lacking in diversity and composed primarily of processed and refined foods can be deficient in essential nutrients, including folate. Poor diet choices, such as relying heavily on fast food or consuming a limited range of foods, can negatively impact our folate levels.
• Impact of alcohol consumption: Excessive alcohol intake can interfere with folate absorption and utilization in the body. It can also lead to folate deficiency due to inadequate dietary choices often associated with heavy drinking.
• Role of cooking methods in folate loss: Certain cooking methods, such as boiling or overcooking, can result in folate loss from our food. It is important to be mindful of cooking techniques that minimize folate depletion to maintain optimal folate levels in our diet.

Medical Conditions And Medications Leading To Vitamin Folate Deficiency

Causes Of Vitamin Folate Deficiency: Medical Conditions And Medications Leading To Vitamin Folate Deficiency

• Malabsorption disorders, such as celiac disease and inflammatory bowel disease, can affect the body’s ability to absorb folate properly.
• Gastrointestinal surgeries, like gastric bypass or resection, may result in reduced absorption of nutrients, including folate.

• Celiac disease is an autoimmune disorder that damages the small intestine and interferes with nutrient absorption, including folate.
• The immune response triggered by gluten consumption in individuals with celiac disease can lead to inflammation and damage to the intestinal lining, affecting folate absorption.

• Chronic alcoholism can contribute to folate deficiency due to poor dietary intake, impaired absorption, and altered metabolism.
• Liver diseases, such as cirrhosis or hepatitis, can disrupt folate metabolism and reduce the body’s ability to store and utilize folate.

• Inflammatory bowel disease (ibd), including crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, causes chronic inflammation in the intestines, leading to poor nutrient absorption and increased folate requirements.
• The intestinal damage caused by ibd can result in folate deficiency, as the inflamed tissue may not efficiently absorb or process folate.

• Certain medications can interfere with folate absorption or metabolism, leading to deficiency.
• Examples include anticonvulsants (e.g., phenytoin, phenobarbital), methotrexate (used to treat cancer and autoimmune diseases), sulfasalazine (used for ibd), and oral contraceptives.
• These medications may inhibit folate metabolism or interfere with the intestinal absorption of folate, predisposing individuals to vitamin folate deficiency.