How Folate Works

by Jennifer Brett, N.D.

Cite This!
Close 
Please copy/paste the following text to properly cite this How Stuff Works article:

Brett, N.D., Jennifer.  "How Folate Works."  17 December 2006.  HowStuffWorks.com. <http://recipes.howstuffworks.com/folate.htm>  06 October 2008.

Inside this Article

  1. Folate Overview
  2. What Is Folate?
  3. Benefits of Folate
  1. Folate Deficiency
  2. Folate Supplements
  3. See all Vitamins & Minerals articles
Food Videos
Food Videos
Folate, also sometimes known as folic acid, helps form the genetic material DNA and RNA -- the blueprints for our bodies. As such, folate is vital to growth, which is why it's especially important for pregnant women. In this article you'll see how folate helps the body build cells and hear about some of the devastating diseases that can happen to a fetus without enough folate. Here's a quick preview:
  • What Is Folate?

    Folacin, folic acid, and folate all refer to the same B vitamin, which occurs in foods in all three forms. The term folate covers all three, and the term folate activity describes the actual biological potency, or vitamin value, of a food. Folic acid is the simplest form of the vitamin. Vegetables are high in folate, and this page will tell you some other sources, too.

  • Benefits of Folate

    Folate has many benefits specific to women. In addition to helping create healthy fetuses, it also seems to prevent cervical cancer and can reduce osteoporosis. But it has benefits for both genders as well. Folate, like many vitamins and nutrients, helps combat heart disease. It also releases serotonin, which makes it act as a mild antidepressant. Learn about all of folate's uses on this page.

  • Folate Deficiency

    A lack of folate in unhealthy for anyone, but in fetuses it can cause very serious brain disorders. In extremely rare cases, babies have been born without a brain. That's why pregnant women and even women who are planning to conceive should consider a folate supplement. On this page you'll learn the symptoms of a folate deficiency.

  • Folate Supplements

    Not everyone agrees on how much folate is the right amount to take. Although it seems like too much can never be enough for such a vital nutrient, there is a risk of folate masking a B12 deficiency, which can be just as problematic as a folate deficiency. On this page you'll learn the arguments on all sides of the folate debate.
Folate is just one of the many vitamins that are part of a healthy diet. Check out the following links to learn more:
  • Vitamin B12, which helps folate make cells, works differently than any other vitamin. Learn the details at How Vitamin B12 Works.
  • Vitamin A plays an essential role in eyesight. Learn how it helps us to see, even in the dark, at How Vitamin A Works.
  • Vitamin B6 is effective against more than 100 ailments. How Vitamin B6 Works will explain the details and tell you how to get enough in your diet.
  • Vitamin K plays a vital role in blood clotting. Learn more at How Vitamin K Works.
  • Vitamin E is an antioxidant, which keeps the blood clean. Separate truth from fiction at How Vitamin E Works.
  • To learn about the many vitamins in our diet, how much you should be eating, and where to find them, go to our general Vitamins page.
  • If you were looking for the best prices on B vitamin supplements, click here.
This information is solely for informational purposes. IT IS NOT INTENDED TO PROVIDE MEDICAL ADVICE. Neither the Editors of Consumer Guide (R), Publications International, Ltd., the author nor publisher take responsibility for any possible consequences from any treatment, procedure, exercise, dietary modification, action or application of medication which results from reading or following the information contained in this information. The publication of this information does not constitute the practice of medicine, and this information does not replace the advice of your physician or other health care provider. Before undertaking any course of treatment, the reader must seek the advice of their physician or other health care provider.

Inside this Article

  1. Folate Overview
  2. What Is Folate?
  3. Benefits of Folate
  1. Folate Deficiency
  2. Folate Supplements
  3. See all Vitamins & Minerals articles

Related Ad Categories

Nutrition Glossary:

  Aflatoxin   Age-appropriate Diet For Children   Alcohol And Diet   Balanced Diet   Breast Milk   Breast-feeding Mothers - Self-care   Breastfeeding   Breastfeeding Tips   Caffeine In The Diet   Calcium In Diet   Carbohydrates   Celiac Disease - Nutritional Consid...   Chloride In Diet   Cholesterol   Chromium In Diet   Cooking Utensils And Nutrition   Copper In Diet   Cow's Milk For Infants And Children   Cystic Fibrosis - Nutritional Consi...   Diabetes Diet   Diarrhea In Children - Diet   Diet - Calories   Diet - Cancer Treatment   Diet - Constipation   Diet - Liver Disease   Diet For People With Chronic Kidney...   Fast Foods   Fat   Fiber   Fluoride In Diet   Folic Acid (folate)   Food Additives   Food Guide Pyramid   Food Jags   Food Labeling   Food Poisoning Prevention   Food Safety   Genetically Engineered Foods   Heart Disease And Diet   Hyperactivity And Sugar   Inborn Errors Of Metabolism   Infant Formulas   Iodine In Diet   Iron In Diet   Irradiated Foods   Kidney Diet - Dialysis Patients   Lead - Nutritional Considerations   Magnesium In Diet   Niacin   Normal Growth And Development   Nutrition And Athletic Performance   Overcoming Breastfeeding Problems   Pantothenic Acid And Biotin   Pesticides   Phosphorus In Diet   Potassium In Diet   Protein In Diet   Riboflavin   School Lunch Programs   Selenium In Diet   Sodium In Diet   Soy   Sweeteners   Thiamine   Traveler’s Diarrhea Diet   Traveling With Children   Vegetarianism   Vitamin A   Vitamin B12   Vitamin B6   Vitamin C   Vitamin D   Vitamin E   Vitamin K   Vitamins   Vitamins In-Depth   Water In Diet   Weight Control And Diet In-Depth   Zinc In Diet