Always tired and foggy? This vitamin deficiency could be the clue

Fatigue, constant brain fog, and nagging headaches are commonly linked to stress or lack of sleep but a lesser-known vitamin deficiency could play a significant role among adults.

According to experts, there could be a sign of a little-known vitamin deficiency: folate. Folate is primarily known as vitamin B9 which is essential for growth and tissue repairing.

Fortified cereals and supplements contain a manufactured version of vitamin B9 called folic acid. Estimates suggest that true folate deficiency is rare with one in five Americans not getting enough, including men, non-pregnant women and older adults.

Experts said that a broader category of anemia caused by impaired DNA synthesis leads to the blood disorder megaloblastic anemia, causing fatigue, shortness of breath, and feet and sores around the mouth.

In this connection, Robert Thompson, physician and medical contributor at Care Point Boston said: “Taking sufficient folic acid before you are pregnant or during your first trimester will greatly reduce the chance of your fetus developing a neural tube defect.”

Federal authorities recommend that men, older adults and women who are not pregnant to consume 400mcg of folate daily.

While several groups can achieve target levels through dietary intake, older adults or those with alcohol use disorder may require functional foods or supplementation.

Furthermore, health authorities recommend that adults get no more than 1,000 mcg of synthetic folic acid each day as high doses may cause nausea, cramps and diarrhea.