Folate is an essential nutrient needed in the process of cell division to make new, healthy cells. It’s also key for making DNA and other genetic material in the body.
Folate plays a critical role during pregnancy. Not getting enough may increase the chances of having a baby with a neural tube defect (spina bifida, for example). It may also increase the chance of having a baby born prematurely or at a low birth weight.สมัคร ufabet
While more study is needed, there are several other areas where may provide benefits, such as:
- reducing the risk of autism spectrum disorder (ASD)
- reducing the risk of certain cancers, like colorectal cancer
- lowering homocysteine levels in the body, reducing the risk of heart attack, stroke, and dementia
- may lower the risk of depression and may help some antidepressants be more effective
How can you get enough folate?
Natural food sources include:
- vegetables: asparagus, brussels sprouts, leafy greens
- fruits: oranges, orange juice
- meat: beef liver
- nuts: walnuts
- legumes: kidney beans, black-eyed peas
That said, the body doesn’t absorb the folate in foods very efficiently. As a result, many food products in the United States are enriched with folic acid to help people meet their intake requirements.
These foods include:
- enriched breads
- enriched rice
- enriched flours
- enriched pastas
- fortified cereals
Your doctor may also suggest taking a folate or folic acid supplement if your needs are higher. This vitamin is listed on supplement labels by various names:
- folate
- folic acid
- L-5-MTHF
- 5-methyl-folate
- L-methylfolate
- methylfolate