What is Folate - Folic Acid? |
Written by Adrian Wozniak
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Tuesday, 29 September 2009 |
Common names * Folate, Folic acid (also known as vitamin B9 or folacin) and folate (the naturally occurring form), as well as pteroyl-L-glutamic acid and pteroyl-L-glutamate, are forms of the water-soluble vitamin B9.
Recommended Intake * Males & Females ≥ 19 years: 400 ug/day
Note: It is recommended that all women of child-bearing ages consume 400 ug from supplements or fortified foods in addition to intake of food folate from a balanced diet.
What's Folate for?
* Part of an enzyme complex that assists in releasing energy from food * Reduces risk of brain and spinal cord damage during first weeks of pregnancy * Helps ensure proper cell division and red blood cell formation occurs * Involved in converting vitamin B12 to its metabolically active form * Defends against anemia and cancer
Best Food sources
* Leafy green vegetables, citrus fruits and fruit juices, dried beans and peas, poultry, enriched grain products
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