Folic Acid

Folic Acid is vitamin B9. It is found naturally in leafy vegetables, fruits, legumes, cereals, mushrooms, orange and tomato juice, and several other sources mentioned below. It can also be taken as a health supplement and is normally included as a part of B-Complex vitamin supplements.http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/folate/NS_patient-folate

There are many benefits of folic acid because it has many functions in the human metabolism. It helps the body generate new cells and it acts as a cofactor with vitamin C in the breakdown of proteins and in the synthesis of new proteins. The production of red blood cells and the synthesis of DNA (which controls heredity), as well as tissue growth (making new cells) and cell function are also beneficial effects of folic acid. This vitamin can also increase appetite. It is especially important for pregnant woman because a folic acid deficiency can lead to serious birth defects.Centers for Disease Control: Why Folic Acid is So Important http://www.oralchelation.com/ingred/folicacid.htm http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/folicacid.html

This page provides information on recommended (RDA) values, an explanation of this nutrients physiological function in the body, a list of rich sources of folic acid that you should include in your diet, and a section on chronic deficiency of this vitamin in most people's diets. You will also find sections that have relevant links, news and blogs about this important vitamin for more information.

The United States government recommended mimimum daily allowance for folic acid is 200 micrograms. In the book Anti-Aging Prescriptions, by USDA scientist, James Duke, Ph.D. says that average American gets only 120 micrograms per day in their diet. This is because plant foods are not in sufficient amount. Medical doctor Andrew Weil, in his book Ask Dr. Weil, recommends 400 micrograms per day to get the amount that is needed to protect the body. The problem with that is the sheer quantity of food that you would have to eat per day, so he recommends supplements to take care of the deficiency.

The Council for Responsible Nutrition in Washington estimates in a study that if women 50 years and older were to have taken supplements of folic acid, vitamin E, and zinc during childbearing years they would have saved over $10 billion in Medicare expenses plus a $20 billion yearly reduction in hospital costs due to neural tube birth defects and coronary heart disease. http://www.naturalnews.com/016208.html

The content on this page is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Please contact your doctor before taking Folic Acid.

• Action Medical Research: Spina Bifida and Folic Acid

• azcentral.com: The Controversy Over Folic Acid

• Fit Fare: The Vegemite Controversy

• SmartKit: Can Folic Acid Improve Your Memory?

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