Folic acid is synthetic vitamin B9 found in supplements and fortified foods, whilst B12 occurs naturally in animal products Both vitamins are essential for red blood cell formation, but B12 uniquely maintains nerve health and myelin sheath integrity High-dose folic acid can mask B12 deficiency symptoms whilst allowing irreversible neurological damage to progress undetected B12 requires intrinsic factor for absorption in the terminal ileum, whilst folate absorption is more straightforward Pregnant women require 400 micrograms of folic acid daily to prevent neural tube defects in developing foetuses GP consultation and blood tests are essential before supplementation to distinguish between deficiencies and prevent complications Table of Contents Is Folic Acid the Same as Vitamin B12
The value of another blood test, holotranscobalamin (HoloTC), decreases with vitamin B12 deficiency
it's a core part of the scientific method itself
B12 has become something of an it supplement lately, with celebrities getting B12 shots after pulling all-nighters and athletes using them to enhance recovery
However, these side effects are temporary and will subside quickly
Semaglutide demonstrated a 20% MACE reduction in the SELECT trial