Folic Acid

Folic acid is a B vitamin. It helps the body make healthy new cells. Everyone needs folic acid. For women who may get pregnant, it is really important. When a woman has enough folic acid in her body before and during pregnancy, it can prevent major birth defects of her baby's brain or spine.

Foods with folic acid in them include leafy green vegetables, fruits, dried beans, peas and nuts. Enriched breads, cereals and other grain products also contain folic acid. If you don't get enough folic acid from the foods you eat, you can also take it as a dietary supplement.

National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements

Folic Acid on Wikipedia

{| align="right" border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="3" style="margin: 0 0 0 0.5em; background: #FFFFFF; border-collapse: collapse; border-color: #C0C090;" ! | |- | align="center" colspan="2" | |- ! | General |- | IUPAC nomenclature | N-[4(2-Amino-4-hydroxypteridin-
6-ylmethylamino)benzoyl]-L(+)-
glutamic acid. |- | Other names | pteroyl-L-glutamic acid,
Vitamin B9, Vitamin M,
Folacin |- | Chemical formula | C₁₉H₁₉N₇O₆ |- | Molar mass | 441.40 g/mol |- | Appearance | yellow-orange crystalline powder |- | CAS registry number | [59-30-3] |- ! | Properties |- | Density and Phase (matter) | ? g/cm³, solid |- | Soluble in Water_(molecule) | 8.5 g/100 ml (20 °C) |- | In ethanol, acetone, ether | insoluble |- | Melting point | 250 °C (523 K), decomposes |- | Boiling point | ? °C (? K) |- | Acid dissociation constant (p''K''_a) | 1^st: 2.3, 2^nd: 8.3 |- | Specific rotation | ? ° |- ! | Structure |- | Crystal structure | ? |- | Dipole#Molecular_dipoles | ? Debye |- ! | Hazards |- | ...   [ Read More ]

External Resources

Suzanne L. Adams, CT (ASCP) - The Art of Cytology: the cell, viruses, fungi, folic acid/B12 deficiency.

Vita-Myr International - Offers both toothpaste and mounthwash that contain zinc, folic acid, murrh and clove for a healthy mouth.

Wujin Nuitang Chemical Plant - Products cover aspartame, folic acid, L-asparagine, triglycidyl isocyanurate and p-hydroxy phenyl acetamide. Changzhou, China.

Shandong Xinfa Pharmaceutical Co.,Ltd. - Manufacturer of animal drugs, feed additive and pharmaceutical intermediates, such as folic acid, calcium pantothenate, dinitolmide and toltrazuril, in Jinan, China.

Medical Self-Care - Self-care for iron deficiency and folic acid deficiency anemias.

Folic Acid - Current research studies on the health benefits of folic acid.

Folic Acid Campaign - Information on folic acid with FAQ, quiz, and current news regarding FDA regulations.

Civitan Center Folic Acid - Has list of food sources high in the vitamin, RDA intakes, and information concerning prevention of birth defects.

Florida Folic Acid Council - The Council is a coalition of organizations committed to promoting the consumption of the B vitamin folic acid among women in their childbearing years for the prevention of neural tube defects.

Folic Acid (Folate) - An introduction of folic acid, including information on its effects, health benefits, and deficiency symptoms.

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