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Folic Acid
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10 Things: Highest Sources of Folate
Folate is a water-soluble B vitamin found naturally in many foods. If you've heard of folic acid, it's the synthetic version of it, found in dietary supplements and fortified foods. Not only is folate essential for expecting mothers, but it's necessary for all people since it's needed to make DNA and RNA, the building blocks of the cells in our bodies.
Five Health Changes to Make If You're Trying to Conceive
If the urge to become a mom is in your not-too-distant future, here are some healthy changes you should make before you even think about becoming pregnant.
Men Need Folic Acid Too
While there has been a lot of focus on how women of childbearing age should make sure they are getting enough folic acid, there has been little talk about men and folate. Until now.
New research has found that men who are thinking about becoming fathers should also be sure they're getting enough folic acid, since the folates that prevent birth defects when consumed by women may also help keep men's sperm normal.
Label Able: Folic Acid Seal
Did you know that it is recommended for women planning to get pregnant to take folic acid for a full year prior to conception? If you didn't know that recommendation, you are not alone. A recent survey completed by the March of Dimes found that the majority of women ages 18 to 24 had no idea about folic acid helping prevent birth defects.
Folic Acid Quiz
Many women are aware that they should take folic acid, but many aren't. Who should and who shouldn't? And how much?
RDI: What About All Those B Vitamins?
So I gave you a quiz about your RDI of the basic vitamins and minerals. I didn't mention anything about B vitamins though.
When it comes to B vitamins, there are so many that it can be confusing to know what is what.
Low Levels of Folate Linked to Depression
Here's another friendly reminded to get make sure you're getting enough folic acid.
Researchers at the University of York and Hull York Medical School have confirmed that that while low folate does not cause depression, the two are linked.
The reason behind it is that folate is linked to the production of some of the "feel good" chemicals in the brain, such as serotonin, and some people with depression commonly have a gene that processes folate less efficiently.
Folic Acid Is Important For the Ladies
I'm sure you've heard that pregnant women should take folic acid (vitamin B9) to prevent birth defects, but did you know that you should start taking it a month before you conceive?
Folic acid is the synthetic form of folate and it can reduce certain birth defects of the brain and spinal cord by more than 70 percent. These birth defects are called neural tube defects (NTDs).
Know Your A, B, Cs: Vitamin B (How Many Are There?)
There are eight B Vitamins to be exact, and they help maintain healthy skin and muscle tone, enhance your immune and nervous system functions, and promote cell growth and division.
They are water-soluble vitamins which means that your body can't store them. They need to be replenished daily because whatever the body doesn't use, gets flushed out in your urine.
Why Do I Bruise So Easily?
Why is it that I can get the slightest bump and the next day, I've got a huge bruise? Sometimes bruises show up and I don't even remember hurting myself.
A bruise develops when small blood vessels under the skin tear or rupture.
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