Folic Acid Deficiency: Causes, Risks, and What You Can Do

When your body doesn’t get enough folic acid, a synthetic form of vitamin B9 needed for making red blood cells and DNA. Also known as folate deficiency, it’s not just about feeling tired—it can mess with your fertility, pregnancy outcomes, and even your heart health. Folic acid isn’t something your body makes. You have to get it from food or supplements, and if you’re not eating right or absorbing well, it drops fast.

This isn’t just a problem for pregnant women. Even if you’re not trying to conceive, low folic acid can lead to anemia, a condition where your blood doesn’t carry enough oxygen, leaving you drained, dizzy, and short of breath. It’s also linked to nerve issues, trouble concentrating, and even mood swings. For people trying to get pregnant, low levels raise the risk of birth defects like spina bifida. That’s why doctors push folic acid before and during pregnancy—but many people still miss the mark because they think they’re eating enough. Spinach and lentils help, but synthetic folic acid in pills or fortified foods is what actually raises blood levels fast.

It’s not always about diet. Some people have trouble absorbing folic acid because of gut issues like celiac disease or Crohn’s. Others take meds—like methotrexate or certain seizure drugs—that block how the body uses it. Alcohol use? That’s another silent killer of folate levels. And if you’re over 50, your ability to convert folate into its active form drops naturally. So even if you’re eating right, your body might not be using it well.

What’s in the posts below? You’ll find real, practical info on how folic acid connects to fertility, why it matters even if you’re not pregnant, and how other supplements and meds you might be taking could be helping—or hurting—your levels. There’s no fluff. Just clear talk on what works, what doesn’t, and how to fix it without guesswork.