Did you know?

Folic acid is a B vitamin that's important for cell growth and metabolism. In other words, folic acid is needed for the proper development of the human body. Also known as Vitamin B9, it plays an important role in facilitating many body processes. Among them are cell maintenance and repair, synthesis of DNA, amino acid metabolism and formation of red and white blood cells.

Folate and folic acid are forms of a water-soluble B vitamin. Folate occurs naturally in food, and folic acid is the synthetic form of this vitamin. Since 1998, folic acid has been added to cold cereals, flour, breads, pasta, bakery items, cookies, and crackers, as required by federal law.

All people need folic acid. Folic acid is used for preventing and treating low blood levels of folate (folate deficiency), as well as its complications, including “tired blood” (anemia) and the inability of the bowel to absorb nutrients properly. Folic acid is also used for other conditions commonly associated with folate deficiency, including liver disease, ulcerative colitis, alcoholism, and kidney dialysis.

The benefits of folic acid include inhibiting colon cancer as well as preventing heart disease. In addition to high cholesterol levels, an equally important risk indicator of heart disease is increased homocysteine, an abnormal protein byproduct. Too much homocysteine can cause serious artery damage. One of the benefits of taking folic acid and other B vitamins is that they help remove homocysteine from the bloodstream.

Foods that are naturally high in folate include leafy vegetables (such as spinach, broccoli, and lettuce), okra, asparagus, fruits (such as bananas, melons, and lemons) beans, yeast, mushrooms, meat (such as beef liver and kidney), orange juice, and tomato juice.

Folic acid is very important for women who are able to get pregnant. When a woman has enough folic acid in her body before and during pregnancy, it can prevent major birth defects, including:

• Spina bifida, which occurs when an unborn baby’s spinal column does not close to protect the spinal cord. As a result, the nerves that control leg movements and other functions do not work. Children with spina bifida often have lifelong disabilities. They may also need many surgeries.
• Anencephaly, which is when most or all of the brain does not develop. Babies with this problem die before or shortly after birth.

The results of some studies suggest that folic acid might also help to prevent other types of birth defects.

Folic acid is often associated only with pregnancy, but the reality is that all people require it. Most adults who eat a balanced diet can consume the required amount of folic acid. In fact, it is possible to take too much folic acid. Although it’s not dangerous (water-soluble vitamins pass through and do not stay in the body), high levels of folic acid can mask anemia, which occurs when vitamin B12 levels are too low.