Benefits of Folic Acid

Folic acid is one of the eight vitamins that belong to the group that we know as vitamin B. Folic acid is known by many different names as B9, folate or Folacin. Folic acid is an essential water soluble vitamin that is required to form new healthy set of cells. Looking at the scientific results we can say that folic acid is the most researched vitamin from the group of vitamin B. These researches proved the importance of folic acid and its numerous health benefits.

Folic Acid Facts
Most people become aware about the benefits of folic acid only when a woman in their house is pregnant. Folic acid and healthy pregnancy are very much interrelated. Folic acid is a great energy booster and it also increases the production of the red blood cells. Food high in folic acid like asparagus, dried beans, oranges, whole wheat products, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, beet roots, spinach etc. actually provide adequate amount of folic acid to fill out vitamin deficiencies and the problems related to it. Folic acids actually have no side effects, hence it is said to be the safe substance to consume for health benefits. Folic acid is also important in the metabolism of protein and the prevention of anemia. Therefore, folic acid is said to be very essential for pregnant women and in prevention of many severe medical conditions including Spina bifida (split spine), which is a severe spinal cord disease found in infants.

Benefits of Folic Acid
Folic acid is a water soluble vitamin beneficial for almost all aspects of human health. The biggest benefit of folic acid is observed in pregnant women and women planning to conceive. Women in childbearing age must consume at least 800-1000 mcg of folic acid in their regular diet. Explained below are the folic acid benefits.

Birth Defects
Folic acid is a co-enzyme in the synthesis of DNA and RNA, which is an important function in replication and division of the cells. When folic acid is consumed prior to conception, it proves very vital in preventing many serious birth defects. Consumption of folic acid three months prior to pregnancy, has proved significant in maintaining the health of the infants as well as the mother. Folic acid intake has shown significant reduction in the defect called neural tube defect, that can turn into spina bifida. Folic acid can also reduce the rate of heart defects in the infants. Healthy diet containing foods rich in folic acid, actually lowers the risk of stillbirth and premature births.

Blood Health
Folic acid regulates and increases the production of the red blood cells, absence of which is a medical condition that we know as anemia. Folic acid stabilizes and regulates the blood pressure levels by relaxing the blood vessels, that reduces the risk of high blood pressure and low blood pressure as well. Hence, in many cases of low blood pressure, folic acid vitamin supplements are suggested to prevent the possible risk of strokes, hypertension and hypotension.

Mental Health
Folic acid is said to be beneficial in retaining memory and the mental agility which gets exhausted with growing age. Many scientists connect the folic acid levels in blood to mood swings. It is said that folic acid controls the human temper and it also proves beneficial in the treatment of depression, especially when taken with other vitamin B complex. Folic acid controls the homocysteine levels in the blood, that are present in the blood of depressed people on a larger degree. Hence, folic acid is essential for the treatment of depression along with other routine treatment measures.

Other Benefits of Folic Acid
Recent study shows that a sufficient intake of folic acid lowers the rate of recurring miscarriages. More folic acid benefits are mentioned below.

• Increases breast milk
• Prevents Alzheimer's disease
• Good for skin care
• Improves Brain development and functioning
• Prevents cancer
• Improves Fertility
• Prevents eye diseases like Macular degeneration

Several conditions like alcohol abuse, diet with poor nutritional value, liver disease, problems in digestive tract, kidney disease and wrong medication can result into the folic acid or B9 vitamin deficiency that can later on aggravate into the mentioned medical conditions. Always keep a check on your folic acid levels and consume foods rich in folic acids in sufficient amount on the proper advise of your health care provider. Take care!