Fad dieters are at risk for which type of anemia due to inadequate intake of essential folate?

Fad dieters are at risk for which type of anemia due to inadequate intake of essential folate?

• A. Pernicious anemia
• B. Aplastic anemia
• C. Iron deficiency anemia
• D. Folate deficiency anemia

Answer: (D)

Folate is essential for DNA synthesis in rapidly dividing cells, especially red blood cell precursors. When intake is inadequate, thymidylate synthesis falters, DNA replication slows, and developing erythroid cells become large and immature—megaloblastic changes that produce macrocytic anemia. This is what folate deficiency anemia is, and fad dieters can develop it from restricting foods rich in folate. Pernicious anemia arises from vitamin B12 deficiency, not folate intake, and presents with a similar megaloblastic pattern but for a different nutrient issue. Aplastic anemia results from bone marrow failure causing pancytopenia and is not due to folate deficiency. Iron deficiency anemia is microcytic and hypochromic from iron shortage, not from lacking folate.

Folate is essential for DNA synthesis in rapidly dividing cells, especially red blood cell precursors. When intake is inadequate, thymidylate synthesis falters, DNA replication slows, and developing erythroid cells become large and immature—megaloblastic changes that produce macrocytic anemia. This is what folate deficiency anemia is, and fad dieters can develop it from restricting foods rich in folate. Pernicious anemia arises from vitamin B12 deficiency, not folate intake, and presents with a similar megaloblastic pattern but for a different nutrient issue. Aplastic anemia results from bone marrow failure causing pancytopenia and is not due to folate deficiency. Iron deficiency anemia is microcytic and hypochromic from iron shortage, not from lacking folate.