An Overview
B9, one of the eight B vitamins, is also known as folate. It can be found in a wide variety of foods. Folic acid, a synthetic form of the vitamin, is frequently added to fortified cereals and vitamins. Folic acid supplements are also available. Natural folate is more easily absorbed by the human body than folic acid, but you can obtain all the folate you need from your food.
Folate, like the other B vitamins, is essential for protein metabolism and DNA formation. It’s also required for the development of healthy RBCs. Folate is an essential nutrient for human health. While it’s especially crucial for pregnant women, it’s essential for everyone’s overall health and well-being.
Why Do You Need Folic Acid Rich Fruits?
Folate is dissolvable in water, which means that your system removes any excess through your urine rather than keeping it. Because your body does not store it, you must ensure that you get enough every day.
For teens and adults, a daily folate intake of 400mcg is suggested. Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding require at least 600mcg per day. A deficiency can occur if you don’t get enough folate. Megaloblastic anaemia is caused by a deficiency in the vitamin, and symptoms include:
- Fatigue
- Concentration problems
- Palpitations in the heart
- Modifications to your hair, nails, and skin
Getting adequate folic acid rich fruits is important for a variety of reasons, in addition to preventing deficiency:
- Pregnancy in Good Health
While folic acid rich fruits are beneficial to everyone, it is especially crucial for pregnant women. Preventing neural tube disorders like anencephaly and spina bifida begins with getting enough nutrition before and during pregnancy. Whether or not they expect to become pregnant, all women get at least 400mcg of folate every day.
- Cardiovascular Health
Both folate and vitamin B12 are required for the conversion of homocysteine, a blood amino acid, to methionine, one of the necessary building blocks of new proteins. The process becomes inefficient without enough folate, resulting in higher homocysteine levels in the blood and a higher risk of heart disease.
- Cancer Risk is Reduced
High homocysteine and low folate levels have also been linked to an increased cancer risk. Large doses of the vitamin following a cancer diagnosis, on the other hand, may hasten the disease’s course, therefore cancer patients should be cautious about taking folic acid rich fruits.
- Health of the Mind
An insufficient amount of folate may raise the risk of depression. People with depression and low folate levels may not respond to antidepressants as well as those who have enough folate levels in their blood. Increasing folate (or taking a folic acid supplement) in conjunction with an antidepressant has been shown in certain studies to make the medication work better.
Now that you know about the need for folic acid rich fruits, consider applying for a health insurance plan through Finserv MARKETS now to safeguard yourself and your loved ones from unexpected medical expenses.