Folic Acid
<p>Luckily, folate is abundant in many foods such as green, leafy vegetables, fruits and liver.</p>
<p>
<a href="http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/195878.php" title="What Are Vitamins? What Vitamins Do I Need?" >Vitamin</a> B9 (folic acid and folate inclusive) is vital for several bodily functions, including:</p>
<ul >
<li >To synthesize DNA, RNA and to repair</li>
<li >Aiding rapid cell division and growth</li>
<li >To produce healthy red blood cells</li>
<li >It is important for pregnant women to have enough folic acid to prevent major birth defects of her baby's brain or spine (neural tube defects, including spina bifida and anencephaly)</li>
<li >Enhances brain health. Dutch researchers reported <i>"We have shown that three-year folic acid supplementation improves performance on tests that measure information processing speed and memory, domains that are known to decline with age."</i>(<a href="http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/61555.php" >Link</a>)</li>
</ul>
<p> </p>
<h2 class="blue_sea_paddingtop" >Natural sources of folic acid</h2>
<p>Dark green vegetables are good sources of folic acid. Be careful not to overcook, as the folic acid content can drop considerably.<br />
<br />
The following foods are known to be rich in folic acid:</p>
<ul >
<li >Asparagus</li>
<li >Baker's yeast</li>
<li >Broccoli</li>
<li >Brussel sprouts</li>
<li >Cabbage</li>
<li >Cauliflower</li>
<li >Egg yolk</li>
<li >Jacket potato (large)</li>
<li >Kidney</li>
<li >Lentils</li>
<li >Lettuce</li>
<li >Liver (pregnant women should not consume liver)</li>
<li >Many fruits have moderate amounts, papaya and kiwi have more</li>
<li >Milk</li>
<li >Oranges</li>
<li >Parsnips</li>
<li >Peas</li>
<li >Spinach</li>
<li >Sunflower seeds</li>
<li >Wholewheat bread (usually fortified)</li>
</ul>
<p> </p>