Folic Acid

Folic acid or folate is one of the B-complex vitamins and is water soluble. Folic acid is essential to the formation of red blood cells and aids in protein metabolism. Women of childbearing age should be sure to ingest at least 400 mcg of folic acid daily to prevent neural-tube defects. Many studies are also showing the necessity of folic acid in lowering homocysteine. Higher folic acid intake (at least 400mcg) promises to prevent arteriosclerotic vascular disease by reducing total homocysteine levels (Journal of the American Medical Association, October, 1995). Long term use of multivitamins, possibly related to the folic acid, may substantially reduce the risk of colon cancer (Annals of Internal Medicine, October, 1998).