| acid is one of the vitamins that make up the Vitamin | | | | a certain degree of protection from strokes. |
| B complex. Also known as folacin and folate, this | | | | Deficiencies in folic acid can cause a myriad of health |
| essential nutrient serves the body in many ways. | | | | problems. Among them are ulcerations in the mouth, |
| While important for all age groups, folic acid is | | | | inflammation of the tongue, peptic ulcers, and chronic |
| especially necessary to pregnant women and | | | | diarrhea. Folic acid deficiency can also contribute to |
| important to those entering their elder years. | | | | certain kinds of anemia. |
| However, despite all its known benefits, many people | | | | Folic acid is a water soluble nutrient, which means it |
| fail to meet the recommended daily intake levels, | | | | flows out of the body with the urine and the |
| which can have real health consequences. | | | | body’s supplies must be replenished daily. |
| Folic acid is important from the very first moment of | | | | Because of its great importance in the reproductive |
| life. In fact, if a couple is even thinking about getting | | | | system and the protections it offers, as well as its |
| pregnant, the woman should immediately begin to | | | | role in other essential bodily functions, it is a good |
| monitor her folic acid consumption, making sure that | | | | idea to consider taking dietary supplements to ensure |
| she meets the suggested daily intake levels. Most | | | | that the recommended daily intake levels are met. |
| health care professionals recommend that every | | | | Particularly in the realm of potential birth defects of |
| woman of childbearing age make sufficient folic acid | | | | such a serious and debilitating nature, better safe |
| consumption a nutritional priority. That is because this | | | | than sorry should be the philosophy when it comes |
| nutrient is vital to the development of the baby from | | | | to folic acid daily intake levels. |
| the moment of conception. It can help to prevent | | | | When choosing a dietary supplement, it is always |
| serious birth defects in the brain and spine, called | | | | important to read and understand the label. That will |
| neural tube defects. Spinal Bifida is one of the more | | | | help you to ensure that you are getting the daily |
| well known of these defects. These types of | | | | intake levels of the nutrients you seek. For example, |
| defects usually occur within the first few weeks of | | | | a prenatal vitamin will focus on different nutrients and |
| development, which means they happen before the | | | | levels of intake than a general, all-purpose daily |
| average woman even realizes she is pregnant. | | | | multi-vitamin. When planning your supplement use, |
| Other important functions of folic acid within the | | | | make an honest assessment of your eating habits. |
| body include, in addition to assisting in the formation | | | | That way, you can select individual supplements that |
| of genetic material in each and every cell of the | | | | match your individual dietary needs and health goals, |
| body, the formation of red blood cells essential to | | | | and avoid getting too much of some and too little of |
| transporting oxygen and nutrients throughout the | | | | others. |
| body and tissue growth. Folic acid, according to | | | | So much of good health is planning and maintaining a |
| recent research, has been associated with such | | | | routine that ensures the daily consumption of proper |
| health benefits as protection against such debilitating | | | | nutrients. Folic acid supplements can offer a safe and |
| diseases as Alzheimer’s disease, some | | | | sure means of meeting the body’s daily |
| cancers and heart diseases. It is also thought to offer | | | | requirements of this essential and protective nutrient. |