Does folic acid benefit men? Why is taking folic acid so important for women?
Folic acid is a B vitamin which benefits both men and women throughout their lives. Research shows that folic acid may decrease the risk of cancer and heart disease. Many Canadians do not get enough folic acid from their diets. Health Canada recommends a daily intake of 400 micrograms (0.4mcg). Folic acid is the form you see in vitamin supplement labels, whereas, folate is the form we get from the foods we eat. This vitamin is not stored in our bodies so it is important to consume a variety of foods. Folic acid plays many important roles in the human cell; these include the development of blood, the production of energy or metabolism and the function of the brain and nervous system. Women of child bearing age, puberty to menopause, are encouraged to take a folic acid supplement to prevent neural tubal defects (NTDs). Many pregnancies are unplanned; therefore, it is important for women to take a folic acid supplement before getting pregnant. If women do not get enough folic acid in thei
