What is vitamin M(folic acid)

It is composed of a combination of pterin, para-aminobenzoic acid and glutamic acid, and is rich in the green leaves of vegetables, hence the name. Folic acid is a yellow crystal that is slightly soluble in water, unstable in acidic solutions, and easily destroyed by light. The folic acid contained in food is also easily lost when stored at room temperature.

Folic acid is converted in the body to tetrahydrofolate, which is a coenzyme for many enzymes. Tetrahydrofolic acid transfers the exchange of one-carbon groups between compounds, including methyl-CH3, hydroxymethyl-C OH, methoxy-OCH3, and iminoyl-CO-NH. The conversion of a one-carbon group is a necessary step in the biosynthesis of choline, serine, histidine, DNA, etc. The human body's lack of folic acid is mainly manifested by the decrease of white blood cells, the increase of red blood cells, and the development of giant cell anemia. The number of lobulated neutrophils is not the average of 2 to 3 lobes in normal conditions, but the number of white blood cells above 5 lobes increases significantly.

Human intestinal bacteria can synthesize folic acid, so deficiency diseases are generally not prone to occur. However, folic acid deficiency can be caused by malabsorption, metabolic disorders or excessive tissue needs, and long-term use of intestinal antibacterial drugs such as sulfonamides. The human body needs about 400 micrograms per day. (Editor in charge: Tian Tian)