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» What is Folic Acid?
Folic Acid is a vitamin also known as Folate, Vitamin B9 or Folacin. It is a synthetic form of folate and can increase levels of folate in the blood.
Folate is contained in many foods such as broccoli, spinach, sprouts, broccoli, green beans and leafy vegetables. The name folate is derived from the Latin word folium which means ‘leaf' - leafy vegetables being the primary source of folic acid. However, it is also present in cereals and citrus fruits. As folic acid is a water soluble vitamin it cannot be stored in the body so a regular intake is key for good health.
Folate contributes to
- Maternal tissue growth during pregnancy
- Normal amino acid synthesis
- Normal blood formation
- Homocysteine metabolism
- Psychological function
- The function of the immune system
- The reduction of tiredness and fatigue
- The process of cell division
Folate is vital for growth, especially in times of rapid cell division such as pregnancy. It is often taken as a supplement by pregnant women to help reduce the risk of neural tube defects such as spina bifida. The very early stages of pregnancy are crucially linked to the need for folic acid. It is recommended that supplementation of folic acid should start three months prior to conception and be taken until your 12th week of pregnancy.
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