subject: Folic Acid - A Type Of Vitamin B [print this page] Folic acid is a type of vitamin B (B9) which is mostly found in green vegetables. It is also called Folate, Folacin, vitamin B9 and Pteroylglutamic acid. It helps the body to make new cells. Everybody needs folic acid but it is very important for the women who are pregnant because it prevents birth defects in her child. The most common neural tube defects occur during early stage of pregnancy in the child so it is advised for the pregnant women to take folic acid before conception and in early pregnancy. Defects mostly occur in neural tube during early stage of pregnancy mostly in the first 28 days when the women even are not aware of her pregnancy so it is very important to take folic acid at this time to prevent it. It plays an important role in growth of cells and formation of tissue.
Foods rich in folic acid are:
-> Green leafy vegetables and other vegetables like broccoli, spinach, cabbage, asparagus, lettuce, peas and cauliflower.
-> Fruits like papaya, kiwi, orange and its juice.
-> Bovril.
-> Cooked liver and kidney.
-> Baked beans.
-> Egg yolks.
-> Milk.
-> Marmite.
-> Whole grains and white bread.
-> Large jacket potato.
-> Dried beans, nuts and peas.
Folic acid is added to breads and breakfast cereals like cornflakes. Packets provide the information in their nutritional chart whether it contains folic acid or not so it is preferable to check it before buying one. It is advised not to overcook the vegetables because that can destroy folic acid present in it.
