Here's Why Folate Is Good for You
Folate, also known as folic acid, is a B vitamin that is essential for good health. Folic acid plays an extremely important role in preventing birth defects. Low blood levels of folate during pregnancy can cause neural tube defects—anencephaly and spina bifida. Because these defects occur in the first month of pregnancy, before a woman knows she is pregnant, it is important for any woman of childbearing age to get 400 mcg (micrograms) of folic acid daily. Pairing folate with iron may reduce the number of infants born with low birth weight and reduce infant mortality.
Folate deficiency can also result in megaloblastic anemia. This is due to the role that folic acid plays in the DNA synthesis and red blood cell division. Without folic acid new red blood cells can’t divide and thus stay large and immature.
Here's How You Can Get Folate
Foods with the high amounts of folate include:
- Fortified breakfast cereal
- Beef liver
- Egg noodles
- Great Northern beans
- Reviewer: Michael Woods, MD
- Review Date: 07/2014 -
- Update Date: 07/23/2014 -