What is Folate – An Essential Vitamin for a Healthy Life

Folate, also known as vitamin B9, is an incredibly important dietary nutrient found in some food sources that helps us live a healthy life. It’s an essential vitamin to maintain healthy cells and support human growth, development, and functions. Folate helps the body form DNA and synthesize new cells and is especially important for pregnant women and infants whose cells are developing and multiplying rapidly.

Why is Folate Important?

Folate is a critical dietary nutrient because it has many key roles in the body, particularly related to the development of red blood cells and the production of genetic material. Since it’s a water-soluble vitamin, it is not stored in the body and must be obtained through the diet. It helps the body properly utilize proteins, fats, and carbohydrates, and it’s involved in the metabolism of DNA and RNA as well as in synthesizing and metabolizing amino acids. Folate also helps in regulating homocysteine levels, which involves breaking down an amino acid that, when not broken down, can cause damage to blood vessels, increasing the risk of stroke and heart attack.

How Do You Get Enough Folate?

The best way to get adequate Folate is to eat foods that are rich in Folate. Many plant-based foods are high in Folate and great sources to include in your diet are dark leafy green vegetables, beans, lentils, fortified grains and cereals, oranges and other citrus fruits, and nuts and seeds. Since Folate is lost through cooking and processing, it’s best to eat fresh or lightly cooked vegetables when possible. Another way to ensure adequate Folate levels is to take a vitamin B9 supplement. Taking a daily multivitamin is also recommended in order to get the recommended daily intake of Folate.

Folate is an essential nutrient for human health and should be a part of everyone’s diet. Eating a variety of foods, including plant-based Folate-rich foods and taking a Folate supplement if necessary, will help ensure you’re getting adequate amounts of this important vitamin.