Folic acid

Human Nutrition 3(3+0)
Lesson 3 : Recommended Dietary Allowances for Nutrients

Folic acid

The primary biochemical function of folic acid is related to the transfer of single carbon in the synthesis of a number of metabolites in the body. Along with vitamin B12 folic acid is connected with the synthesis of nucleic acid. After absorption, folic acid undergoes a series of metabolic conversions to its various coenzymic forms. Folic acid requirements are expressed in terms of ‘free’ folic acid which is readily absorbed. Folic acid allowances (?g/day) are as follows:

Table 10: RDA for Folic acid

Group

Folic acid ( ?g/d)

Adult man
Adult woman

200
200

Pregnant woman
Lactating woman

500
300

Infants:

  • 0 -6 months
  • 6- 12 months


25
25

Children:

  • 1-3 years
  • 4- 6 years
  • 7-9 years


80
100
120

Adolescents:

  • 10-12 years
    • Boys
    • Girls
  • 13-15 years
    • Boys
    • Girls
  • 16-18 years
    • Boys
    • Girls



140
140

150
150

200
200

Ref: Nutrition Expert group, ICMR(2010)

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Last modified: Friday, 3 February 2012, 12:31 PM