Folic acid Supplement Benefits and Dosage
How does eating spinach help to combat tiredness? The answer lies in folic acid.
Folic acid functions
Folic acid helps with the following functions:
DNA synthesis
Energy
Red blood cell health
Folic acid dosage
The Nutrient Reference Value (NRV) recommends 200mcg per day of folic acid. Heights Smart Supplement contains 500mcg (equal to 2 cups of boiled spinach or a whole 3lb crab*) so 250% of your daily needs.
* (plant sources are much better than meat for folic acid)
Folic acid and brain function
Folate helps to lower homocysteine levels, which is important as high levels have been linked to dementia and Alzheimerās. It also contributes to normal psychological function and helps to reduce tiredness and fatigue.
Folic acid benefits
Helps reduce tiredness and fatigue
Essential for healthy red blood cells
Protects unborn babies from birth defects
Contributes to normal psychological functions
Plays well with
Folic acid, iron and vitamin B12 all work together to protect from all forms of anaemia
Clever stuff
Folate is a water-soluble vitamin also known as vitamin B9. The body needs it to make DNA and other genetic material, which is why itās recommended that women trying to conceive take a supplement prior to and during pregnancy.
Evidence
Hereās a handful of relevant scientific studies on folic acid.
Bailey, L. B., Stover, P. J., McNulty, H., Fenech, M. F., Gregory III, J. F., Mills, J. L., ... & Molloy, A. M. (2015). Biomarkers of nutrition for developmentāfolate review. The Journal of nutrition, 145(7), 1636S-1680S.
Chinthapalli, K. (2014). Alzheimerās disease: still a perplexing problem. Bmj, 349.
Wilson, R. D., Audibert, F., Brock, J. A., Carroll, J., Cartier, L., Gagnon, A., ... & Pastuck, M. (2015). Pre-conception folic acid and multivitamin supplementation for the primary and secondary prevention of neural tube defects and other folic acid-sensitive congenital anomalies. Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Canada, 37(6), 534-549.