subject: Information About Folate [print this page] Folate is a water-soluble B vitamin that occurs naturally in food. The synthetic form of folate is folic acids that that is found in supplements and are added to fortified foods. The name is derived from the Latin word "folium" for leaf. Nearly 70 years ago a key observation of researcher led to the identification of folate as the nutrient that is needed to prevent the anemia during pregnancy. It was also found by researchers that anemia could be corrected by a yeast extract. The substance was identified as folate, which was present in yeast extracts. It was next extracted from spinach leaves.
The main function of folate includes production and maintenance of new cells. This thing is generally important during the rapid cell division and growth that takes place during infancy and in pregnancy. It is also needed to make DNA and RNA which are the building blocks of cells and is also responsible for the prevention of DNA changes that may lead to severe cases such as the cancer. It is required both by adults as well as the childrens so as to make normal red blood cells and prevent cases such as anemia. Not only these, but it is also essential for the metabolism of homocysteine and helps in maintaining normal levels of this amino acid.
Women, who are planning on having a child, should increase the in-take Folate (Folic Acid) in their diet, or as a supplementary, as it is one of the well known B-Vitamin group which has a role in preventing Spina-Bifida in babies. Deficiency of folate is not good as people suffering from depression are found to have lower than normal blood folate levels. Hence foods rich in Folate such as spinach, peas, cabbage, Broccoli, Oranges, Avocadoes should be taken in good amount and if this is not possible, one should consider taking a supplement.
