Question

What are the typical uses and medical purposes of folic acid (vitamin B9), also known as folacin, in patient care and treatment?

Answer 1

Folic acid, also known as vitamin B9 or folacin, is used in patient care and treatment to prevent neurological defects during pregnancy and in cancer treatments to inhibit tumor cell growth.

Step-by-step explanation:

Folic acid, also known as vitamin B9 or folacin, has various uses in patient care and treatment. One of its main medical purposes is to prevent neurological defects, such as spina bifida, in developing fetuses. It is particularly important for pregnant women to consume enough folic acid to support the healthy development of the neural tube. In addition, folic acid has been studied and used in cancer treatments, as it can inhibit the growth of tumor cells. It is commonly used in chemotherapy drugs like methotrexate, which was one of the first effective treatments for breast and skin cancers.